Wheat gluten market in India

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, India's wheat gluten market showed moderate volatility. The market volume stood at 17 642 t in 2018, decreased to 17 082 t in 2019, and then recovered to 18 381 t in 2020.

The market dipped to 17 808 t in 2021 as the country increased its wheat gluten exports to 604 t, leveraging its strong position as a major wheat producer to serve international markets. This was followed by significant growth in 2022, with the market expanding to 19 787 t, before stabilizing around 19 740 t in 2023.

In 2024, wheat gluten imports rose to 14 749 t. This increase was facilitated by duty-free import authorizations for biscuit manufacturing and supported by growing demand from the animal feed sector, where wheat gluten is used for its functional properties.

Production wheat gluten in India

In kind, 2017-2020, t

India was among the world's leading producers of wheat gluten from 2017 to 2020, ranking 15th globally by production volume.

Top producers of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

In 2020, India produced 6 013 tonnes of wheat gluten, remaining virtually unchanged from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 632 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 6 035 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 3.4%, whereas the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 7.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Wheat gluten production in India increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 16 644 thousand US dollars, marking a 9.0% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 31.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 761 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 7.1%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, surging by 29.9%.

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

Exports wheat gluten from India

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The period saw a low point in 2018 and a peak in 2020, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign wheat gluten supplies from India reached 94 tonnes, reflecting a 27.1% increase over the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 35 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 30.8%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 109.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for wheat gluten exports from India in kind was quite broad. Sri Lanka accounted for 19.2% of exports, Nepal for 14.1%, and Australia for 8.8%, with these three countries together representing only 42.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. From the low in 2018 to the high in 2020, volumes varied 3.5 times. In 2020, wheat gluten volumes leaving India amounted to 260 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 39.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 73 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 33.5%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, surging by 154.1%.

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

The market base for wheat gluten exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was wide. Sri Lanka accounted for 22.6% of exports, Uganda for 16.1%, and Nepal for 9.8%, with these three countries jointly representing just 48.5% of total flows. The remaining 51.5% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports wheat gluten to India

Imports in kind, t

India imported 12 463 tonnes of wheat gluten in 2020, up by 12.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 21.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 7.7%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 17.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the main source for wheat gluten imports to India, accounting for 72.2% of total imports in kind, with the remaining volume distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

India imported 16 120 thousand US dollars worth of wheat gluten in 2020, reflecting a limited gain of 3.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 4.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 19 687 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 21.2%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018, rising by 27.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the dominant partner for wheat gluten imports to India in value terms, with a share of 72.1% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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