Wheat gluten market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat gluten market volume in ASEAN fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 50 314 t in 2018, dipping to 46 735 t in 2019, then gradually recovering to 50 021 t by 2021. A sharp surge occurred in 2022, lifting the market to 63 310 t, followed by a contraction to 46 372 t in 2023.

During 2023, several underlying trends emerged, including increasing consumer interest in plant-based proteins and rapid growth in the bakery and processed food sectors. Government initiatives promoting sustainable agriculture and food innovation, alongside local manufacturers expanding production capacity, aimed to enhance market penetration in both retail and commercial segments.

By 2024, imports of wheat gluten rose to 51 142 t, supported by the functional properties of wheat gluten in food applications and a shift toward healthier, plant-based diets. These factors stimulated market activity, reflecting continued consumer experimentation with products like seitan and gluten-enriched baked goods.

Production wheat gluten in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

ASEAN produced 9 203 tonnes of wheat gluten in 2020, marking a significant 14.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 8 754 tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 21.8%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 22.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, ASEAN's wheat gluten output was valued at 19 817 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 24.3% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 17 363 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest decline of 34.2%. In contrast, 2019 saw the highest increase of 50.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports wheat gluten from ASEAN

Exports in kind, t

ASEAN's foreign wheat gluten supplies totaled 179 tonnes in 2020, showing a sharp 25.9% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 41.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.4%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 28.6%, while 2019 recorded the biggest increase of 10.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for ASEAN's wheat gluten exports in kind were Papua New Guinea, accounting for 12.5% of exports, Sri Lanka with 4.9%, and the United States at 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented 18.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

ASEAN's wheat gluten export volume reached 385 thousand US dollars in 2020, down 34.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 46.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 40.0%, while 2019 saw the biggest increase of 36.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, ASEAN's wheat gluten exports in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Sri Lanka accounted for 6.6% of exports, the United States for 4.7%, and Papua New Guinea for 4.6%. Collectively, these three markets represented just 16.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat gluten to ASEAN

Imports in kind, t

ASEAN imported 38 895 tonnes of wheat gluten in 2020, reflecting a modest 7.2% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 36 279 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 41 778 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, China remained the principal supplier of wheat gluten to ASEAN, accounting for 60.1% of imports in kind. France followed with 9.3%, and Germany with 6.7%. Together, these three countries comprised 76.1% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

ASEAN imported approximately 53 258 thousand US dollars worth of wheat gluten in 2020, showing little change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 52 977 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 67 750 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.8%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, China was the main supplier of wheat gluten to ASEAN in value terms, accounting for 61.4% of imports. France contributed 9.7%, and Germany 7.4%. Together, these three countries made up 78.6% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020