Market overview
The global ancient grain market is worth USD 5.1 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 9.6 bn by 2036, growing at a 6.5% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Quinoa is the largest by grain segment.
| Scope | Ancient grains sold as whole grain, flour, flakes and ingredients: quinoa, millet, spelt, farro, buckwheat, amaranth, teff, kamut and freekeh. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 4.8 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 5.1 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 9.6 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 6.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 1,687,129 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 2,867,019 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 3,030 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Ancient Grain market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 5.1 bn |
| 2027 | USD 5.4 bn |
| 2028 | USD 5.8 bn |
| 2029 | USD 6.2 bn |
| 2030 | USD 6.6 bn |
| 2031 | USD 7.0 bn |
| 2032 | USD 7.5 bn |
| 2033 | USD 7.9 bn |
| 2034 | USD 8.5 bn |
| 2035 | USD 9.0 bn |
| 2036 | USD 9.6 bn |
Ancient Grain market segmentation
By grain
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinoa | 24.0% | 22.9% | USD 1.2 bn | 6.0% |
| Millet | 20.0% | 20.0% | USD 1.0 bn | 6.5% |
| Spelt and farro | 14.0% | 13.4% | USD 716 mn | 6.0% |
| Buckwheat | 14.0% | 13.4% | USD 716 mn | 6.0% |
| Amaranth and teff | 10.0% | 11.5% | USD 511 mn | 8.0% |
| Other ancient grains | 18.0% | 18.9% | USD 920 mn | 7.0% |
By form
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole grain | 48.0% | 43.9% | USD 2.5 bn | 5.5% |
| Flour | 22.0% | 22.1% | USD 1.1 bn | 6.5% |
| Flakes and puffs and ready products | 18.0% | 20.8% | USD 920 mn | 8.1% |
| Pasta and bakery ingredients | 12.0% | 13.2% | USD 613 mn | 7.5% |
By channel
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | 56.0% | 53.3% | USD 2.9 bn | 6.0% |
| Food manufacturing | 28.0% | 30.7% | USD 1.4 bn | 7.5% |
| Foodservice | 16.0% | 16.0% | USD 818 mn | 6.5% |
By nature
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 68.0% | 62.0% | USD 3.5 bn | 5.5% |
| Non-GMO | 8.0% | 8.0% | USD 409 mn | 6.5% |
| Organic | 24.0% | 30.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 8.9% |
By gluten status
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naturally gluten-free grains | 52.0% | 52.0% | USD 2.7 bn | 6.5% |
| Gluten-containing grains | 40.0% | 38.0% | USD 2.0 bn | 6.0% |
| Certified gluten-free products | 8.0% | 10.0% | USD 409 mn | 8.9% |
Top 25 countries for ancient grain by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 73.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 92.4%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 1.4 bn | 28.0% | USD 2.7 bn | 6.5% |
| 2 | India | USD 460 mn | 9.0% | USD 988 mn | 8.0% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 358 mn | 7.0% | USD 643 mn | 6.0% |
| 4 | France | USD 256 mn | 5.0% | USD 461 mn | 6.1% |
| 5 | United Kingdom | USD 256 mn | 5.0% | USD 461 mn | 6.1% |
| 6 | Canada | USD 256 mn | 5.0% | USD 480 mn | 6.5% |
| 7 | Italy | USD 204 mn | 4.0% | USD 345 mn | 5.4% |
| 8 | China | USD 204 mn | 4.0% | USD 441 mn | 8.0% |
| 9 | Japan | USD 153 mn | 3.0% | USD 249 mn | 5.0% |
| 10 | Australia | USD 153 mn | 3.0% | USD 288 mn | 6.5% |
| 11 | Spain | USD 150 mn | 2.9% | USD 352 mn | 8.9% |
| 12 | Netherlands | USD 144 mn | 2.8% | USD 261 mn | 6.2% |
| 13 | Brazil | USD 106 mn | 2.1% | USD 193 mn | 6.2% |
| 14 | Peru | USD 85 mn | 1.7% | USD 155 mn | 6.2% |
| 15 | Belgium | USD 72 mn | 1.4% | USD 131 mn | 6.2% |
| 16 | Sweden | USD 63 mn | 1.2% | USD 115 mn | 6.2% |
| 17 | Switzerland | USD 56 mn | 1.1% | USD 102 mn | 6.1% |
| 18 | Austria | USD 51 mn | 1.0% | USD 92 mn | 6.2% |
| 19 | Mexico | USD 47 mn | 0.9% | USD 84 mn | 6.1% |
| 20 | Poland | USD 43 mn | 0.8% | USD 78 mn | 6.1% |
| 21 | Denmark | USD 40 mn | 0.8% | USD 73 mn | 6.2% |
| 22 | South Korea | USD 37 mn | 0.7% | USD 68 mn | 6.2% |
| 23 | Russia | USD 35 mn | 0.7% | USD 64 mn | 6.2% |
| 24 | Argentina | USD 33 mn | 0.7% | USD 60 mn | 6.2% |
| 25 | South Africa | USD 32 mn | 0.6% | USD 58 mn | 6.2% |
| Rest of world | USD 386 mn | 7.6% | USD 675 mn | 5.7% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Ardent Mills
- Bob's Red Mill
- Archer Daniels Midland
- King Arthur Baking Company
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Ancient Harvest
- Alter Eco
- Rude Health
- Doves Farm
- Bay State Milling
- Great River Organic Milling
- Lundberg Family Farms
- Hodgson Mill
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Arrowhead Mills
- Eden Foods
- Anson Mills
- Quinoa Corporation
- Bluebird Grain Farms
- Heartland Mill
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the ancient grain market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 6.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by grain, by form, by channel, by nature, by gluten status. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the ancient grain market?
The global ancient grain market is estimated at USD 4.8 bn in 2025 and USD 5.1 bn in 2026.
How fast will the ancient grain market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 9.6 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 6.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 4.5 bn.
Which country is the largest market for ancient grain?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 1.4 bn in 2026, 28.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 44.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, China is growing fastest at 8.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which ancient grain segment is largest?
In the by grain split, Quinoa is the largest segment with 24.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading ancient grain companies?
Global leaders include Ardent Mills, Bob's Red Mill, Archer Daniels Midland, King Arthur Baking Company.
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