Gluten Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Wheat Gluten,Corn Gluten,Others), By Application (Baking,Flour,Meats,Pet Food,Others), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Gluten Market Overview

Global gluten market size is forecasted to be worth USD 1953.77 million in 2024, expected to achieve USD 2334.91 million by 2033 with a CAGR of 2%

The global gluten market is undergoing substantial transformation with wheat gluten and corn gluten emerging as dominant products. In 2024, approximately 29 million metric tons of gluten-containing wheat were processed across industrial applications. Wheat gluten, contributing to over 65% of the total gluten demand, is used across baking, flour treatment, and meat processing. Meanwhile, corn gluten has gained momentum, comprising nearly 23% of the market due to its extensive application in pet foods and aquafeed. Gluten protein levels in wheat range from 7% to 15%, and industrial extraction processes yield over 10 million metric tons of concentrated gluten annually. Countries such as China produce over 1.8 million metric tons of vital wheat gluten per year, while the U.S. processes over 600,000 metric tons, catering to domestic and export needs. In baking industries, gluten is added to more than 74% of high-protein flour mixes. The gluten market’s growth is attributed to the expanding global food processing industry, which saw the number of processed food factories increase by 14,200 between 2021 and 2024. The increasing demand from vegan and vegetarian markets has also led to a spike in gluten-based meat substitutes, especially in Asia-Pacific where production units have increased by 31% in three years.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Growing demand for plant-based protein alternatives.

Top Country/Region: China leads with over 1.8 million metric tons of wheat gluten production annually.

Top Segment: Wheat gluten dominates the market with over 65% of total usage across applications.

Gluten Market Trends

The gluten market trends have seen a noticeable shift toward plant-based consumption patterns. Between 2021 and 2024, over 28% growth in demand for seitan and other wheat gluten-based meat substitutes was observed, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Europe. Gluten-containing bakery products make up 61% of all baked items sold globally, showing the prevalence of wheat gluten across everyday diets. An increasing number of health-conscious consumers, however, are influencing dual trends—while gluten-free product launches surged by 36% in 2023, gluten fortification in flours also rose by 22% during the same period due to growing high-protein diet trends.

Gluten is heavily utilized in food processing, contributing to improved texture and shelf-life. In 2023, nearly 14 million tons of processed foods contained added gluten to enhance stability. Among those, 4.6 million tons were in bakery items alone. The pet food industry also shows a rising trend, with corn gluten usage in dog and cat foods rising from 240,000 metric tons in 2020 to 312,000 metric tons in 2024. Moreover, wheat gluten application in meat binders saw an uptick of 19% in industrial meat products in 2023 alone.

The beverage industry, especially beer production, still relies on gluten ingredients. Over 11 billion liters of beer produced annually in Europe and the Americas contain gluten residues, highlighting its ongoing demand. In contrast, the gluten-free beer market grew only 6% during 2023, reaffirming gluten’s dominance in the alcoholic beverage segment. These market dynamics reflect a simultaneous growth of both gluten-containing and gluten-free products, driven by diverse consumer bases.

Gluten Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for pharmaceuticals.

The gluten market has benefited significantly from the growth in pharmaceutical formulations where gluten is used as a stabilizing and binding agent. In 2023, over 54,000 metric tons of pharmaceutical-grade gluten were consumed globally, with tablets and capsules accounting for 82% of this volume. Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical manufacturers imported nearly 18,700 metric tons of vital wheat gluten in 2023. The surge in prescription medications and vitamin supplements requiring gluten-based binders has accelerated procurement contracts across key markets such as India and Germany. The growing health sector, which witnessed a 28% increase in output between 2021 and 2024, further amplifies the integration of gluten into medical formulations.

RESTRAINT

Demand for refurbished equipment.

The gluten market’s expansion faces constraints due to the high capital costs associated with installing modern gluten extraction and drying systems. As of 2023, more than 38% of small and mid-size gluten processors in Eastern Europe still rely on refurbished equipment older than 15 years. This outdated technology leads to inefficiencies, including over 12% protein loss and up to 8% energy wastage per metric ton processed. The lack of access to cost-effective modern machinery limits scalability for producers handling less than 25,000 metric tons annually. Additionally, the availability of low-cost, pre-used machinery from China and Turkey further discourages investment in advanced systems.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in personalized nutrition.

An emerging opportunity in the gluten market is the rising trend of personalized nutrition, where individuals opt for products tailored to their metabolic profiles. In 2024, personalized protein blends accounted for 2.1 million units sold in North America alone, and gluten-based high-protein blends formed 38% of these products. Functional foods, including gluten-enriched protein bars, have recorded 18% annual growth in demand across sports nutrition segments. Additionally, European companies are developing specialized wheat gluten strains with targeted amino acid profiles, increasing protein availability by 11% compared to generic variants.

CHALLENGE

Rising costs and expenditures.

One of the critical challenges in the gluten market is the rising operational costs driven by fluctuating raw wheat and corn prices. Between 2021 and 2024, wheat prices per metric ton surged by over 27%, severely impacting production budgets. Furthermore, energy consumption during gluten separation can reach 240 kWh per metric ton, resulting in inflated utility bills. The increase in transportation costs, which rose by 21% globally in 2023, further hampers gluten distribution. Additionally, stringent regulatory compliance in gluten labeling, especially in the U.S. and EU, forces manufacturers to invest an average of $210,000 annually in testing and certification.

Gluten Market Segmentation

The gluten market is segmented by type and application. By type, wheat gluten, corn gluten, and others such as barley-based gluten dominate the category. Application segmentation includes baking, flour processing, meats, pet food, and other industrial uses. In 2023, baking accounted for over 42% of all gluten usage, followed by meat processing at 26%. Type-based analysis shows wheat gluten as the dominant segment with significant industrial and consumer appeal.

By Type

• Wheat Gluten: Wheat gluten holds the majority share, representing over 65% of the global gluten market. With protein content ranging between 70% to 85%, it is primarily used in baking and vegan protein alternatives. In 2024, more than 10 million metric tons of wheat gluten were extracted globally, with China producing nearly 1.8 million metric tons and the U.S. over 600,000 metric tons. Wheat gluten is essential in producing seitan, with demand reaching 1.2 million tons across Asia-Pacific alone in 2023.
• Corn Gluten: Corn gluten accounts for approximately 23% of total market demand and is widely used in the pet food and aquafeed sectors. In 2023, over 3.4 million metric tons of corn gluten were processed worldwide, with the U.S. contributing 1.1 million metric tons. Its protein concentration varies between 60% and 72%, making it an ideal additive in pet nutrition. Corn gluten exports from North America increased by 18% year-on-year, especially toward Southeast Asian markets.
• Others: Other types of gluten, including barley-derived and rye gluten, make up nearly 12% of the market. Barley-based gluten saw demand of 1.3 million metric tons in 2023, mainly in the brewing and alcohol industry. This segment is more prevalent in European regions where beer production exceeded 10 billion liters in 2023.

By Application

• Baking: The baking sector utilizes over 6.5 million metric tons of gluten annually, making it the largest application segment. Gluten provides elasticity and volume enhancement to dough, with nearly 74% of all bread mixes containing added gluten. Commercial bakery operations in the EU imported over 1.4 million metric tons of vital wheat gluten in 2023 alone.
• Flour: Flour enrichment with gluten proteins accounted for approximately 2.9 million metric tons of demand in 2023. High-protein flours with up to 14% gluten content are increasingly used in pasta production, which totaled over 17 million tons globally in 2023.
• Meats: Gluten is widely used in meat processing as a binder and extender. Over 4.3 million metric tons of gluten were used in sausages, hot dogs, and processed meats in 2023, especially in Latin America and Southeast Asia.
• Pet Food: The pet food sector consumed nearly 1.8 million metric tons of gluten in 2023, particularly corn gluten. The U.S. and Brazil together supplied over 970,000 metric tons to the pet food industry.
• Others: Other applications such as pharmaceuticals and beverage production used about 1.2 million metric tons of gluten, with pharmaceutical-grade gluten demand increasing by 14% year-on-year.

Gluten Market Regional Outlook

The gluten market has witnessed robust geographic expansion, with distinct demand trends observed across continents. In 2023, global production of gluten-related products crossed 17.8 million metric tons, with 46% originating from Asia-Pacific. Europe and North America combined accounted for 41%, while Latin America and the Middle East & Africa made up the remaining 13%. The regional performance varies due to dietary preferences, food processing capacity, and industrial applications. The global gluten consumption in baking, pet food, and pharmaceutical applications totaled more than 12.3 million metric tons, with regional usage peaking in countries with developed food processing sectors.

• North America

North America processed over 4.6 million metric tons of wheat and corn gluten in 2023. The United States remains the top contributor, with more than 3.9 million metric tons utilized across food, pet feed, and medical applications. Gluten use in meat processing grew by 22% over the last three years, while pet food manufacturers used 710,000 metric tons of corn gluten meal in 2023 alone. Additionally, Canada exported over 450,000 metric tons of gluten-based food products in 2023, primarily to Asian markets. Gluten in North America is increasingly integrated into health supplements, accounting for 12% of pharmaceutical gluten consumption globally.

• Europe

Europe’s gluten market reached 5.2 million metric tons in 2023, with Germany, France, and Italy being key producers and consumers. In Germany alone, over 1.6 million metric tons of gluten were used in baking and flour applications. The seitan market in the EU expanded by 19%, with over 520,000 metric tons of wheat gluten dedicated to vegan meat manufacturing. European breweries used 780,000 metric tons of barley and wheat gluten combined in alcoholic beverage production. Additionally, pharmaceutical use of gluten in Europe surged by 14%, contributing to 43,000 metric tons in 2023.

• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific dominated the global gluten market in 2023, processing over 8.4 million metric tons of gluten, with China accounting for 1.8 million metric tons of wheat gluten alone. India and Japan collectively processed 2.1 million metric tons, primarily for baking and processed foods. The region leads in gluten-based meat substitute manufacturing, with production rising by 31% from 2020 to 2023. Pet food producers in Australia and Southeast Asia imported 610,000 metric tons of corn gluten. Asia-Pacific's growth is propelled by industrial food production, which increased by over 17% between 2021 and 2024.

• Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa gluten market stood at approximately 1.1 million metric tons in 2023. Countries like South Africa and Egypt contributed over 620,000 metric tons combined, especially in flour enhancement and bakery sectors. The UAE processed 140,000 metric tons of gluten, driven by growing demand for protein-enriched bakery items. Meat processing factories in North Africa consumed 310,000 metric tons of gluten, while imports of vital wheat gluten into Saudi Arabia increased by 24% between 2022 and 2023. Limited domestic gluten production is offset by imports from Europe and Asia.

List of Top Gluten Market Companies

• Manildra Group
• Henan Tianguan Group
• Shandong Qufeng Food Technology
• MGP Ingredients
• CropEnergies
• Roquette
• Tereos Syral
• Cargill
• AB Amilina
• Pioneer
• Anhui Ante Food
• ADM
• Zhonghe Group
• Jäckering Group
• White Energy
• Dengfeng Guyuan Agricultural Development
• Molinos Juan Semino
• Sedamyl
• Crespel & Deiters
• Kroener-Staerke
• Chamtor
• Ruifuxiang Food
• Permolex
• Zhangjiagang Hengfeng

Top Two Companies by Market Share

Manildra Group: In 2023, Manildra Group processed more than 1.4 million metric tons of wheat, with over 280,000 metric tons turned into vital wheat gluten. The company dominates the North American and Oceania gluten ingredient supply chain and expanded production capacity by 12% from 2021 to 2023.

Henan Tianguan Group: Henan Tianguan Group produced 310,000 metric tons of wheat gluten and over 400,000 metric tons of corn gluten in 2023, positioning itself as one of the largest suppliers in Asia-Pacific. The company has over 200,000 metric tons of annual export capacity.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in the gluten market have intensified due to expanding applications in bakery, pharmaceuticals, and plant-based proteins. In 2023, over $970 million worth of capital expenditure was recorded in upgrading gluten processing plants across Asia and Europe. More than 43 new gluten extraction facilities were launched globally, capable of processing over 3.1 million metric tons annually. China alone invested in 17 large-scale plants with a combined production capacity of 1.2 million metric tons per year.

Private equity funding in gluten-based meat substitutes reached $320 million in 2023, funding over 55 startups producing seitan and high-gluten protein bars. European companies allocated over $150 million in R&D for developing enzymatically enhanced wheat gluten with improved bioavailability, increasing protein retention by 9% during processing. North American manufacturers announced the installation of 15 gluten drying towers in 2023, with each capable of handling 10,000 metric tons annually.

Pet food companies in Brazil and Mexico invested $110 million in expanding corn gluten storage and blending units. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry in India and Japan recorded gluten-related investments of $78 million aimed at capsule and tablet binder innovation. Furthermore, smart logistics investment in gluten distribution reached $90 million globally, including refrigerated trucking units and dry storage upgrades.

Opportunities remain abundant in gluten fortification in low-protein flours, where current global penetration is just 32%. Additionally, personalized sports nutrition based on wheat gluten peptides opens up a $1.6 billion value opportunity, especially in North America and Western Europe. With over 130 patents filed globally between 2022 and 2024 related to gluten processing and enrichment, innovation-driven investment is expected to continue.

New Product Development

The gluten market is witnessing robust innovation, particularly in wheat gluten enhancement and corn gluten meal fortification. In 2023, over 230 new gluten-based products were launched, including functional baked goods, vegan sausages, protein powders, and fortified flours. High-performance wheat gluten isolates with protein concentration above 90% were introduced in Germany and the U.S., leading to a 17% increase in applications within bodybuilding supplements.

A Japanese firm developed a novel heat-resistant gluten protein blend in 2023 that maintains its elasticity above 200°C, enhancing its use in industrial baking lines. European R&D centers introduced enzymatically modified gluten variants that increase protein absorption by 11% in digestive trials. In India, a new gluten-based chewable pharmaceutical binder was launched, expected to capture 3.2% of the excipient market by 2025.

Corn gluten underwent major reformulation, particularly in pet food, with nutrient-rich blends seeing a 22% growth in sales volume. Brazilian manufacturers added turmeric and spirulina to corn gluten products, creating a dual-function dog food mix that sold over 190,000 units within six months of launch. In meat substitutes, high-gluten seitan strips infused with lentil extract were introduced across North America and South Korea in 2023, gaining traction among vegan consumers.

Technological innovation also extends to packaging, with UV-protected pouches now used to store gluten powders, increasing shelf life by 14%. Smart sensors embedded in bulk containers help monitor temperature and humidity levels during gluten transportation. New machinery capable of extracting 10% more gluten per metric ton of wheat is under deployment across 12 processing plants in China and Germany.

Five Recent Developments

• Henan Tianguan: Group inaugurated a new wheat gluten processing facility in early 2024 with a capacity of 180,000 metric tons annually, boosting its total output by 22%.
• Manildra: Group launched a new protein-enriched wheat gluten isolate with 92% protein content in September 2023, specifically designed for sports nutrition applications.
• Roquette: developed an enzymatically modified gluten product line in 2023 that showed 15% better solubility and was adopted by five major bakery chains across Europe.
• Cargill: introduced gluten-fortified dog food in October 2023 that includes 12% higher amino acid levels compared to conventional products, capturing 4% of the U.S. pet food market.
• ADM: expanded its gluten packaging plant in early 2024, installing automated filling systems that improved throughput from 1.6 to 2.4 million bags annually.

Report Coverage of Gluten Market

The report on the gluten market covers comprehensive insights across type, application, region, and company profiles. In 2023, global gluten demand exceeded 17.8 million metric tons, spread across wheat gluten (65%), corn gluten (23%), and others (12%). Application coverage includes detailed analysis of baking (6.5 million metric tons), meat processing (4.3 million metric tons), pet food (1.8 million metric tons), and flour enhancement (2.9 million metric tons).

The report evaluates regional dynamics, including Asia-Pacific’s 8.4 million metric ton production, Europe’s 5.2 million metric ton demand, and North America’s 4.6 million metric ton market presence. Middle East & Africa are also covered with a combined demand of 1.1 million metric tons. Segmentation includes in-depth coverage of trends in high-protein baking, vegan meat products, pharmaceutical binders, and pet nutrition.

Company profiles of 25 manufacturers include analysis of their production volume, product innovations, and strategic expansion. Investment insights highlight $970 million in capital spending during 2023 alone. Key new product developments, such as enzymatically enhanced wheat gluten and protein-isolated corn gluten meal, are discussed.

Frequently Asked Questions