Amaranth Market

Amaranth Market Analysis and Forecast by Fact.MR

• The Amaranth Market is anticipated to expand from USD 13.0 billion in 2026 to USD 34.7 billion by 2036 at a CAGR of 10.3%.
• Propelled by escalating consumer demand for gluten-free ancient grain ingredients, the rising adoption of amaranth flour by food manufacturers in bakery and snack reformulation, and the increasing utilization of amaranth protein in sports nutrition and plant-based food products, with amaranth grain holding a 32.8% share of the product segment.
• The food & beverage industry accounting for a 44.3% share as companies emphasize clean-label sourcing, organic certification, and functional nutritional positioning.

Summary of Amaranth Market

• Market Snapshot
  • In 2025, the global Amaranth Market was valued at approximately USD 11.8 billion.
  • The market is estimated to reach USD 13.0 billion in 2026 and is projected to attain USD 34.7 billion by 2036.
  • The amaranth market is likely to expand at a CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period.
  • The market is anticipated to create an absolute dollar opportunity of USD 21.7 billion between 2026 and 2036.
  • Amaranth Grain accounts for 32.8% of product segment share in 2026.
  • China (7.2%) and U.S. (6.9%) are the key growth markets during the forecast period.
• Demand and Growth Drivers
  • In bakery and snack formulations, amaranth is gaining a premium position as an alternative to wheat, rice and corn as consumer interest in gluten-free ancient grains grows.
  • Increased awareness of amaranth’s nutritional attributes, such as its complete protein, high lysine and mineral density will assist in its use in health-oriented food products.
  • Sourcing certified organic and fair-trade amaranth for premium retail positioning and retailer sustainability procurement requirements.
  • Amaranth protein isolates and concentrates are finding a place in the plant-based protein and sports nutrition categories.
  • Food manufacturers’ investment in clean-label reformulation is driving demand for amaranth flour, flakes and puffed grain as functional ingredients.
• Product and Segment View
  • Amaranth grain takes the top spot with 32.8% product share in 2026, supported by versatility across food manufacturing, direct retail and ingredient supply applications.
  • The powder form has a share of 41.5% due to the preference of food manufacturers for amaranth flour and protein powder in their industrial formulations.
  • The main segmentation includes:
    • Product: Amaranth Grain, Amaranth Flour, Amaranth Flakes, Amaranth Protein, and Amaranth Oil
    • Application: Food and Beverage Industry , Personal Care Industry , Pharmaceutical Industry , Animal Feed
    • Source: Conventional Amaranth and Organic Amaranth
  • These products can:
    • Gluten-free formulation for bakery, snacks, cereals and pasta
    • High lysine content complete plant protein delivery for sports and clinical nutrition
    • Ancient grain heritage and nutritional density as premium ingredient positioning”
• Geography and Competitive Outlook
  • China leads with 7.2% CAGR, driven by the growing health food market, e-commerce distribution, and increasing consumer awareness of the nutritional benefits of ancient grains.
  • The U.S. is projected to grow at 6.9% CAGR, supported by strong gluten-free food demand, clean-label bakery reformulation and specialty retail expansion of ancient grain products.
  • Europe continues its steady growth with Germany at 5.9% and U.K. at 5.8%, led by organic food demand and retailer sustainability pledges.
  • Key players are Van’s International Foods, Pure Inc., Mary’s Gone Crackers, Nature’s Bakery and Luke’s Organic.
• Analyst Opinion
  • Shambhu Nath Jha, Principal Consultant at Fact.MR, says "The amaranth market is at an inflection point where it is transitioning from a niche health food ingredient to a functional food manufacturing input with mainstream bakery and snack applications. Growth is being driven by the convergence of gluten-free demand, clean-label reformulation, and consumer interest in nutrient-dense ancient grains. The supply chain challenge remains scaling certified organic amaranth production to meet food manufacturer volume requirements, as most cultivation is still concentrated in small-scale farming operations in Latin America, India, and parts of Africa."

Key Growth Drivers, Constraints, and Opportunities

Key Factors Driving Growth

• The expansion of the gluten free food category across bakery, snack and pasta applications is driving large scale demand for amaranth flour and grain ingredients.
• Amaranth is a differentiated plant protein source for sports nutrition and clinical nutrition formulations because of the complete protein profile with high lysine content.
• Organic and regenerative farm-sourced amaranth sells at premium retail prices and satisfies growing retailer sustainability procurement requirements.

Key Market Constraints

• Limited large-scale commercial cultivation infrastructure constrains the volume responsiveness of supply to increasing demand from food manufacturers.
• Traditional bakery and snack categories have price sensitivity barriers, since they have higher production costs compared to commodity grains.
• Outside of health food and specialty segments, amaranth has low consumer awareness, limiting its penetration into mainstream retail in several markets.

Key Opportunity Areas

• Developing amaranth protein isolate for plant-based food and sports nutrition applications represents a high value product opportunity over commodity grain sales.
• Emerging market cultivation is expanding in India, Africa and Latin America, creating new supply sources with competitive cost structures.
• The functional food positioning of amaranth for cardiovascular health, cholesterol management and anti-inflammatory benefits makes premium health claim marketing possible.

Segment-wise Analysis of the Amaranth Market

• Amaranth grain is expected to account for 32.8% share of the product in 2026, owing to its wide applicability across food manufacturing, direct retail and ingredient supply channels.
• The food & beverage industry has the highest share of application with 44.3% due to the demand for gluten-free ancient grain inputs from bakery, snack, cereal and pasta manufacturing.
• Conventional amaranth represents 46.1% of source share, with organic amaranth growing faster on premium pricing and certification demand.

The market is segmented by product, form, application, processing technology, source, and region. Amaranth grain leads on versatility, while amaranth flour and protein grow faster as food manufacturers adopt processed formats for industrial formulation convenience.

Which Product Segment Dominates the Amaranth Market?

Amaranth grain is expected to account for 32.8% of product segment value in 2026. Its leadership reflects the broad spectrum of downstream uses served by whole grain from direct retail sale through food manufacturer processing into flour, flakes, puffed products and protein extracts.

Amaranth flour is the fastest growing product format driven by food manufacturer demand for ready-to-formulate gluten-free baking ingredients. Amaranth oil and protein are aimed at higher value niche applications in personal care, nutraceutical and sports nutrition categories.

Which Application Segment Dominates the Amaranth Market?

In 2026, the application segment will have a 44.3% share of the value of the food and beverage industry. Amaranth ingredients are most sought after in the manufacturing of gluten-free bakery products, ancient grain snack bars, breakfast cereals and pasta formulations.

There are also smaller, higher-value personal care and pharmaceutical applications where the squalene content and protein bioactivity of amaranth oil enhances its positioning as a premium ingredient in skin, hair and dietary supplement formulations.

Which Product Trend is Shaping the Next Phase of Growth in the Amaranth Market?

The major trend for value-added products is the development of amaranth protein isolates for applications in plant-based food and sports nutrition. Amaranth grain and flour drive the volume sales, the protein fraction commands significantly higher pricing on a per unit basis in sports nutrition powder blends, plant-based meat analogs and clinical nutrition formulations, based on its complete amino acid profiles and high lysine content, which provide functional differentiation.

This trend is supported by advances in protein extraction and concentration technologies improving yield and functional properties such as solubility, emulsification and gelation. Companies that can provide validated amaranth protein ingredients with documented nutritional and functional performance data will be well positioned to command premium pricing in the fastest growing application segments.

Regional Outlook Across Key Markets

• China is leading with 7.2% due to rising consumption of health foods, spreading of ancient grains via e-commerce, and progress in domestic processing capacity.
• The U.S. (6.9%) reflects strong gluten-free market demand, specialty retail expansion and food manufacturer reformulation activity using ancient grain ingredients.
• Europe markets rise steadily with Germany at 5.9% and U.K. at 5.8% supported by organic food certification and retailer sustainability demands.

CAGR Table

Source: Fact.MR analysis, based on proprietary forecasting model and primary research.

China Amaranth Demand Trends

The China Amaranth Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% through 2036. E-commerce health food platforms and growing urban consumer awareness of ancient grain nutritional benefits are creating distribution pathways for amaranth products.

• Specialty ancient grain products are marketed to health-conscious urban consumers primarily via e-commerce channels.
• Processing and packaging facilities for amaranth are on the rise in the domestic market to cut down on imports of food-grade grain and flour.
• Functional food regulatory frameworks support health claim positioning for amaranth-based nutritional products.

U.S. Amaranth Demand Trends

The U.S. Amaranth Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% through 2036. Sustainability requirements from major retailers and a growing consumer demand for gluten-free, clean-label bakery products are transforming the sourcing of ancient grain ingredients.

• The food manufacturer adoption of amaranth flour in bakery reformulation is driven by retailer clean-label and gluten-free shelf requirements.
• Organic certification and status as an ancient grain heritage product differentiate the brand and support premium retail pricing.
• Direct-to-consumer and subscription health food models expand market access for specialty amaranth products.

South Korea Amaranth Demand Trends

The South Korea Amaranth Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% through 2036. Demand is focused in the functional food and health supplement segment, supported by high consumer health awareness, and advanced retail distribution enabling premium ancient grain adoption.

• Procurement decisions on imported amaranth ingredients are influenced by quality certification requirements and health claim validation standards.
• The distribution of functional snack products through convenience stores and drugstores opens new consumption channels for formats based on amaranth.
• Government support for functional food R&D promotes domestic product development using imported ancient grain inputs.

U.K. Amaranth Demand Trends

The U.K. amaranth market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% through 2036. Food manufacturer sourcing is being impacted by post-Brexit packaging regulations and retailer sustainability targets. The premium positioning of the organic food market supports certified amaranth products.

• Different food labelling and ingredient compliance requirements result from post-Brexit regulatory divergence.
• Retailer own-brand health food programs support volume demand for organic ancient grain ingredients.
• Gluten-free bakery category growth generates sustained food manufacturer demand for amaranth flour and grain.

Germany Amaranth Demand Trends

Germany Amaranth Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% in the forecast period. Packaging regulations and extended producer responsibility influence the decisions of food manufacturers. The demand of consumers for organic and bio-certified products is creating a quality-oriented market.

• Organic and bio-certified amaranth products are premium positioned in German health food and speciality retail.
• EPR compliance and EU labelling regulations dictate how food manufacturers source and package their products.
• DIN/EU quality standards support specification-grade amaranth ingredient procurement for industrial food applications.

Competitive Benchmarking and Company Positioning

Amaranth Market Analysis By Company

• Van's International Foods leads with approximately 18.0% market share through its established gluten-free product portfolio, retail distribution reach, and consumer brand recognition in the ancient grain category.
• Pure Inc., Mary's Gone Crackers, and Nature's Bakery compete through focused ancient grain and gluten-free product lines, organic certification, and specialty retail channel strength.
• Luke's Organic, Mukushi Foods, and regional producers serve specific market segments through niche product development, direct sourcing relationships, and local distribution networks.

The competitive landscape is fragmented, with specialty food brands and organic producers serving a market still transitioning from niche to mainstream. Van's International Foods holds the largest share through its multi-product gluten-free platform that incorporates amaranth across bakery and snack categories.

Competition is shaped by sourcing capability, organic certification, and the ability to provide food manufacturers with consistent supply volumes of food-grade amaranth grain and flour. Companies with direct producer relationships in Latin America and India hold sourcing advantages.

Key Companies in the Amaranth Market

• Van’s International Foods Inc., Pure Inc., Mary’s Gone Crackers Inc., Natures Bakery, Luke’s Organic, Mukushi Foods, Nova-Lux Group LLC, Organic Products India, Kilaru Naturals Private Limited, NOW Foods are the leading companies.

Recent Industry Developments

• Evonik - CPHI Pharma Award for Amaranth Oil-Derived Squalene (October 2024)
  • In October 2024, Evonik won a CPHI Pharma Award for PhytoSquene. The product is a plant-based squalene made from amaranth oil for parenteral drug delivery applications.
• O&3 - Organic Amaranth Oil Certification Listing (February 2025)
  • In February 2025, Soil Association Certification listed O&3’s organic cold-pressed amaranth oil in its trading schedule. The listing supports certified organic ingredient availability for cosmetic and personal care formulations.
• FLAVEX Naturextrakte - Amaranth Seed CO2 Extract Positioning for Cosmetics (2025)
  • In 2025, FLAVEX continued positioning amaranth seed CO2 extract for cosmetic applications. The ingredient contains squalene and tocopherols and is used in moisturizers, massage oils, sunscreens, and dry-skin formulations.

Key Companies in the Amaranth Market

• Arrowhead Mills
• Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods
• Ardent Mills
• NatureBio Foods
• Organic Products India

Sources and Research References

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2025). The third report on the state of the world’s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. FAO.
• National Institute of Food and Agriculture. (2026, May). Supplemental and alternative crops: Notice of funding opportunity. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. (2025). Organic situation report, 2025 edition.
• World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. (2025, July 18). Nutrition for a healthy life: WHO recommendations.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, January 15). Guidance for industry: Food labeling guide.

Key Questions This Report Addresses

• What is the estimated size of the global Amaranth Market in 2026, and how is it projected to grow through the 2026 to 2036 forecast period?
• What incremental revenue opportunity is the Amaranth Market expected to create between 2026 and 2036?
• Which product segment holds the largest share in 2026, and what versatility factors support amaranth grain leadership?
• How is the balance between grain, flour, and protein products expected to shift as food manufacturer adoption accelerates?
• Which application segment is projected to generate the most incremental revenue through 2036?
• Which countries are projected to register the highest CAGR through 2036, and what consumer and regulatory factors accelerate growth?
• How do demand patterns in North America compare with those in Asia Pacific in terms of product preferences and distribution channels?
• What supply-side constraints, including cultivation scale and organic certification limitations, could affect growth?
• Who are the leading companies, and how are they differentiating through sourcing, organic certification, and product development?
• Which product or application trend is driving the next phase of growth, and how are protein isolates changing the market value proposition?
• What role are organic certification, ancient grain heritage positioning, and functional health claims playing in reshaping market structure?
• How is the shift toward amaranth protein isolates creating new value beyond commodity grain sales?
• What demand-side drivers sustain growth, and how do they vary between gluten-free food and sports nutrition applications?
• What recent product developments in 2025 are reshaping competitive positioning in the amaranth market?

Amaranth Market Definition

The amaranth market covers grain, flour, oil, and protein products derived from amaranth plants, used across food and beverage manufacturing, personal care, pharmaceutical, and animal feed applications in conventional and organic sourcing formats.

Amaranth Market Inclusions

• Global and regional market size and forecasts for 2026 to 2036 across product, form, application, processing technology, source, and region.
• Demand analysis based on gluten-free food adoption, ancient grain consumption trends, organic certification rates, and food manufacturer reformulation activity.
• Competitive landscape including sourcing networks, processing capabilities, and distribution strategies of leading companies.

Amaranth Market Exclusions

• Other ancient grains including quinoa, teff, millet, and sorghum not derived from amaranth species.
• Amaranth plants grown exclusively for ornamental or decorative purposes.
• Raw unprocessed amaranth seeds sold in bulk agricultural commodity markets without food-grade processing.

Amaranth Market Research Methodology

• Methodology combines secondary research from ancient grain trade publications and organic food industry databases with primary validation.
• Market sizing spans 30+ countries and includes gluten-free food consumption, organic grain production data and specialty retail penetration.
• Primary validation consists of 18+ interviews with amaranth producers, grain processors, food manufacturers and specialty retailers.