Wheat gluten market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat gluten market in Asia exhibited significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Market volume grew from 128.4 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 155.1 thousand tons in 2020, reflecting a period of expanding consumption.

A sharp reversal followed, with the market contracting to 90.2 thousand tons in 2021 and plummeting to 66.3 thousand tons in 2022. This downturn was primarily driven by rising health awareness across the region, as increased consumer understanding of gluten-related disorders and a growing preference for gluten-free diets reduced direct demand for wheat gluten in food products.

The market partially recovered to 111.5 thousand tons in 2023. This rebound was supported by the ongoing expansion of food processing capabilities in major Asian economies and a rising interest in plant-based proteins for vegetarian and vegan products, which bolstered the use of wheat gluten as a functional protein ingredient.

Production wheat gluten in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

In Asia, wheat gluten production reached 137.3 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a modest 1.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 147.9 thousand tonnes, which represented a significant 14.3% increase. However, this was followed by the largest decline of 8.6% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Asia's wheat gluten production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 194.9 million US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 2.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 1.9%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 251.1 million US dollars, with a notable 21.5% increase that year. This was followed by the largest drop of 20.1% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat gluten from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Wheat gluten exports from Asia fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Asia exported 85.5 thousand tonnes, a 1.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 3.2%, with an average annual reduction of 1.1%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 109.3 thousand tonnes, which saw a substantial 23.7% increase. However, exports then experienced the largest decline of 20.9% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Chile, and Australia were the top buyers of wheat gluten from Asia, but none dominated the market. The Netherlands accounted for 24.2% of exports in volume, Chile for 8.8%, and Australia for 7.7%. Together, these three countries made up 40.7% of total exports, with the remaining 59.3% spread across numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Wheat gluten exports from Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 121.3 million US dollars, a 5.4% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 14%, with an average annual decline of 4.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 185.5 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 31.5% increase. This was followed by the largest decline of 30.9% in 2019.

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

The market for wheat gluten exports in value terms was diverse from 2017 to 2020. The Netherlands, Chile, and Australia were the leading destinations, but their combined share was limited. The Netherlands accounted for 26.1% of export value, Chile for 8.8%, and Australia for 8.1%. Together, they represented 42.9% of total flows, while the remaining 57.1% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports wheat gluten to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, wheat gluten imports into Asia rebounded. In 2020, Asia imported 103.3 thousand tonnes, a substantial 19.9% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 13%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 86.2 thousand tonnes, which saw a 4.0% decline. The highest level was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant source for wheat gluten imports into Asia. France, Australia, and Germany were the largest suppliers, but their combined share was moderate. France accounted for 17.4% of import volume, Australia for 12.6%, and Germany for 8.7%. Together, they made up 38.8% of total imports, with the rest coming from a variety of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia imported 176.7 million US dollars worth of wheat gluten in 2020, a 2.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 171.7 million US dollars, which experienced a 14.3% decline. In contrast, the peak value was in 2018 at 200.3 million US dollars, with a 13.2% increase that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, wheat gluten imports into Asia in value terms were not concentrated among a few key markets. France, Australia, and Germany were the top sources, but their combined share was limited. France accounted for 17.6% of import value, Australia for 15.1%, and Germany for 9.0%. Together, they represented 41.7% of total flows, with the remainder spread across numerous other countries.

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

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