Introduction 

The global millets market — a key segment in cereal grains — is undergoing steady growth as consumers and producers increasingly turn to millets as a resilient, climate-friendly, and nutritious alternative to traditional staples. According to the latest analysis by Mordor Intelligence, the millet market size is estimated at USD 12.60 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 16.04 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.95% during the forecast period.  

This growth reflects deeper shifts in agriculture, food preferences, and supply-chain dynamics — trends that point to a broader acceptance of millets from staple cereals to mainstream grains. 

Key Trends in the Millet Market 

Climate-Friendly Grain Gains Ground 

One of the main drivers behind the rising demand for millets is their low water requirement and drought resilience. Millets can produce reliable yields on marginal, rain-fed land with only 200–400 mm of annual rainfall, compared to around 1,200 mm typically required for rice.  

Under conditions of water scarcity, erratic monsoons, and rising temperatures — increasingly common in parts of Asia and Africa — millets have emerged as a strategic crop for food security. This resilience makes millets attractive to farmers shifting away from water-intensive cereals, and ultimately underpins market growth. 

Growing Appeal in Health and Wellness Foods 

Another significant trend is millets’ rising popularity in health-conscious diets. As consumers worldwide lean toward whole grains, gluten-free products, and nutrient-rich foods, millets are being repositioned from traditional staples to premium functional ingredients.  

Millet-based flours, snacks, cereals, and ready-to-eat foods are seeing greater adoption, driven by their nutritional profile (good carbohydrates, proteins, minerals) and compatibility with gluten-free, plant-based, and health-focused diets. This shift is enabling the millet market to move beyond subsistence consumption to a wider wellness-oriented audience. 

Policy Support and Institutional Backing 

Support from governments and public-policy initiatives has also helped expand the millet market. In many countries — especially in South Asia and Africa — efforts to enhance food security, promote drought-tolerant grains, and encourage sustainable agriculture have encouraged millet cultivation.  

Such institutional backing often comes in the form of procurement support, inclusion in public food-distribution schemes, and incentives for farmers to grow millets. This policy orientation provides a safety net that encourages more growers to shift toward millets, strengthening supply and boosting market confidence. 

Market Segmentation 

The millet market can be broken down across several important dimensions, which together shape demand, production patterns, and regional consumption.  

By Geography 

  • Asia-Pacific: The largest share globally. In 2024, Asia-Pacific accounted for approximately 46.1% of global millet consumption value — reflecting strong production in countries like India and widespread use across food systems.  

  • Africa: Expected to show the fastest growth, with a projected 5.2% CAGR through 2030, as climate-resilient agriculture gains traction and food-security policies support millet expansion.  

  • North America & Europe: While these regions consume smaller volumes, demand is rising thanks to gluten-free and organic food trends — millets are increasingly used in specialty foods, bakery items, and health-oriented products.  

By Application 

  • Human Food Consumption: Traditional staple use — cereals, porridges, staple meals in rural or semi-arid regions. 

  • Processed & Health-oriented Products: Flours, snacks, gluten-free baked goods, and ready-to-eat items targeting health-conscious consumers. 

  • Export & Global Trade: Regions with surplus production — especially Asia-Pacific and Africa — are increasingly exporting to meet demand in health-food markets abroad, especially in Western countries. 

By Supply-Chain Activity 

  • Production and Cultivation: Driven by farmers shifting acreage toward millets, especially in rain-fed or marginal land. 

  • Processing and Value Addition: Growing investments in milling, flour production, bakery mixes, packaged snacks — adding value beyond raw grains. 

  • Trade & Distribution: Rising exports, supply-chain linkages, and distribution networks building around millet-based products, especially cross-region trade. 

Key Players and Market Participants 

While the market remains fragmented and regionally diverse, several players and stakeholders stand out. The market growth is supported by large agribusiness firms, local processors, exporters, and specialty-food manufacturers — especially in regions where millet consumption is increasing. As noted in the Mordor Intelligence report, investments by large conglomerates and food-processing companies have been instrumental in expanding millet acreage and ensuring processing capacity.  

On the government and institutional side, national-level programmes and millet-promotion schemes in multiple countries have played a significant role in integrating millets into public distribution systems and export strategies.  

Moreover, producers specializing in value-added millet-based foods — such as gluten-free flours, snacks, and cereals — are tapping into growing health-food and wellness markets globally, bridging the supply side of millets with changing consumer tastes. 

Conclusion 

The millets market stands today at a pivotal juncture: what was once largely a regional staple crop is transforming into a globally recognized, climate-resilient, and health-oriented grain. With an estimated value of USD 12.60 billion in 2025 and a projected rise to USD 16.04 billion by 2030, the market’s growth is supported by clear trends — water-efficient agriculture, shifting dietary preferences, and supportive policy frameworks.  

Looking ahead, as global concerns over water use, climate resilience, and public health intensify, millets are likely to gain even more prominence — not just as a fallback crop, but as a mainstream ingredient in foods designed for nutrition, sustainability, and wellness. 

For stakeholders — from farmers and processors to exporters and food-brands — this evolving demand presents opportunities: to invest in better processing infrastructure, longer supply-chains, value-added millet-based products, and targeted marketing to health-conscious consumers. 

About Mordor Intelligence:  

Mordor Intelligence is a trusted partner for businesses seeking comprehensive and actionable market intelligence. Our global reach, expert team, and tailored solutions empower organizations and individuals to make informed decisions, navigate complex markets, and achieve their strategic goals. With a team of over 550 domain experts and on-ground specialists spanning 150+ countries, Mordor Intelligence possesses a unique understanding of the global business landscape. This expertise translates into comprehensive syndicated and custom research reports covering a wide spectrum of industries, including aerospace & defense, agriculture, animal nutrition and wellness, automation, automotive, chemicals & materials, consumer goods & services, electronics, energy & power, financial services, food & beverages, healthcare, hospitality & tourism, information & communications technology, investment opportunities, and logistics.