Millet market seen reaching $19.7 billion by 2034

By AI, Created 4:24 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – IMARC Group projects the global millet market will grow from $14.0 billion in 2025 to $19.7 billion by 2034, driven by health-conscious consumers, climate-resilient farming and demand for plant-based, gluten-free foods. Asia Pacific leads the category as India and China expand production, while pearl millet and infant food remain the biggest segments.

Why it matters: - Millet is moving from a regional staple to a global packaged-food ingredient with broader commercial uses in infant food, snacks, bakery products and beverages. - The growth thesis ties into two bigger shifts: consumer demand for cleaner labels and the search for crops that can handle hotter, drier conditions. - India is backing the category with policy support, signaling that millet is becoming part of the wider industrial food system, not just traditional diets.

What happened: - IMARC Group said the global millet market reached $14.0 billion in 2025 and is projected to hit $19.7 billion by 2034. - The forecast implies a compound annual growth rate of 3.78% from 2026 through 2034. - Asia Pacific is the largest regional market, led by India and China across production, consumption and exports. - In 2024, India launched the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet-Based Products with an ₹800 crore budget to support branded ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products containing more than 15% millet. - The report highlights pearl millet as the largest product segment and infant food as the largest application segment in 2025. - Traditional grocery stores remain the leading distribution channel in the market.

The details: - Rising health awareness, climate-resilient agriculture and the shift toward plant-based, gluten-free diets are the main growth drivers. - Demand for natural and clean-label foods is boosting millet because the grain is rich in fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. - In 2024, Ramoji Group launched Sabala Millets with 45 millet-based products focused on preservative-free, nutrient-rich foods. - Health organisations, NGOs and food councils are expanding awareness campaigns around millet’s role in dietary diversity and lifestyle disease prevention. - In 2025, the Agriculture Department of Kashmir launched a millet promotion drive in Pulwama district under the National Food Security Mission, engaging 200 farmers across pearl millet, sorghum and finger millet. - Technology is improving yields and market access through automated farming, improved seed varieties, precision agriculture, milling upgrades, storage improvements and packaging advances. - Digital platforms are linking farmers to markets and helping improve pricing and distribution. - The competitive landscape includes Archer-Daniels-Midland, Bayer, Cargill, Brett-Young Seeds, Ernst Conservation Seeds, Roundstone Native Seed Company and Seedway.

Between the lines: - The market’s growth is being driven as much by policy and branding as by nutrition trends. - Pearl millet’s lead reflects both its long-standing cultivation base and its fit for mainstream food products. - Infant food stands out because millet’s gluten-free and nutrient-dense profile matches consumer interest in functional nutrition for children. - Competition from wheat, rice and corn remains a real barrier, especially where those grains are cheaper and already dominate supply chains. - Supply-chain gaps in grading, traceability and cold storage still limit scale for branded manufacturers and exporters. - Awareness remains uneven, which means category growth depends on continued education and product innovation.

What’s next: - Market expansion is likely to continue if governments, food makers and retailers keep investing in processing, branding and consumer education. - More millet-based launches in snacks, bakery, beverages and infant nutrition are likely as manufacturers seek health-forward positioning. - The report points to ongoing policy-led promotion in India and other regions as a key catalyst for demand. - Continued improvement in post-harvest handling and traceability will be important to support export growth and premium branding.

The bottom line: - Millet is entering a higher-growth phase, and the category’s next leg will depend on whether policy support, processing technology and consumer awareness can keep pace with rising demand.