Wheat gluten market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat gluten market volume in South-eastern Asia fluctuated between 46 735 and 63 310 tons from 2018 to 2023. After a moderate decline to 46 735 tons in 2019, the market gradually recovered to 50 021 tons by 2021. A sharp expansion followed in 2022, with the market reaching 63 310 tons, but it contracted by 27% the next year to 46 372 tons in 2023.

In 2024, imports of wheat gluten rose by 35% to 51 142 tons, indicating a revival in demand. This increase was driven by growing consumption of high-protein and nutritious foods in Malaysia, which boosted demand for wheat gluten as a bakery and processed food ingredient. Additionally, the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted global wheat supplies, affecting prices and prompting supply diversification in the region. Trends toward clean-label and plant-based products also supported product development, while tighter import regulations for fortification premixes in Indonesia potentially influenced regional flour and gluten production.

Production wheat gluten in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

In 2020, South-eastern Asia produced 9,203 tons of wheat gluten, representing a significant 14.0% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 17.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 6.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 8,754 tons. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 21.8% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2019 with a 22.2% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat gluten production in South-eastern Asia reached $19,817 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 24.3% reduction from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 24.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $17,363 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline happened in 2018 with a 34.2% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 50.7% surge.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports wheat gluten from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, wheat gluten exports from South-eastern Asia totaled 179 tons, showing a sharp 25.9% decline relative to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 41.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 28.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 10.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for wheat gluten exports in kind from South-eastern Asia were Papua New Guinea (12.5% of exports), Sri Lanka (4.9% of exports), and the United States (1.0% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 18.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat gluten exports from South-eastern Asia stood at $385 thousand US dollars, reflecting an abrupt 34.8% reduction from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 46.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 18.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 40.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 36.1% rise.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, the distribution of export values remained scattered among various countries. Sri Lanka accounted for 6.6% of exports in value terms, the United States for 4.7%, and Papua New Guinea for 4.6%. Together, these three partners represented just 16.0% of total flows, with no single country emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports wheat gluten to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, South-eastern Asia imported 38,895 tons of wheat gluten, up 7.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 36,280 tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 41,778 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 13.2% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of wheat gluten imports in kind for South-eastern Asia were China (60.1% of imports), France (9.3% of imports), and Germany (6.7% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 76.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat gluten imports into South-eastern Asia stood at $53,258 thousand US dollars, showing minimal change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 12.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $52,977 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at $67,750 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 21.8% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with an 11.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of wheat gluten to South-eastern Asia in value terms were China (61.4% of imports), France (9.7% of imports), and Germany (7.4% of imports). Together, these three countries comprised 78.6% of total import value.

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

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