Wheat Germ Oil Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Wheat Germ Oil Market is projected to expand from USD 684.86 Million in 2025 to USD 987.54 Million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 6.29%. This nutrient-rich extract, obtained from the embryo of the wheat kernel, is prized for its substantial levels of vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and octacosanol. The industry's upward trajectory is largely supported by increased utilization within the personal care and cosmetic sectors, where the oil's skin-repairing and moisturizing capabilities are essential for anti-aging products. Additionally, the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors contribute to this demand, as consumers increasingly pursue natural antioxidant sources to enhance immunity and support cardiovascular wellness.

However, the market encounters significant hurdles related to product stability, as the oil is prone to rancidity and oxidation, issues that complicate storage and reduce shelf life. This inherent fragility often requires costly stabilization techniques or cold-press extraction methods, elevating production costs and restricting adoption in lower-margin items. In terms of raw material availability, the International Grains Council forecast global wheat production to hit roughly 798 million tons in 2024, highlighting the extensive agricultural infrastructure needed to produce sufficient germ by-products for specialized oil extraction.

Market Drivers

The escalating consumer preference for organic and natural personal care items serves as a major engine for the wheat germ oil sector. As beauty brands reformulate to adhere to "clean beauty" principles, the oil’s rich ceramide and Vitamin E profile positions it as a favored botanical agent for skin barrier repair and hydration. Leading beauty corporations are actively transitioning supply chains toward sustainable materials to satisfy this demand; for instance, L'Oréal reported in its '2023 Universal Registration Document' in March 2024 that 65% of its raw materials were circular, abundant, or biobased. This industry-wide pivot encourages the upstream production of plant-derived lipids, compelling suppliers to provide high-purity, cold-pressed options for premium skincare collections.

Simultaneously, the growing traction of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements reinforces market growth, with consumers seeking plant-based options for athletic performance and heart health due to the oil’s policosanol and octacosanol content. Highlighting this potential, the Council for Responsible Nutrition noted in its '2024 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements', released in October 2024, that 75% of adults in the U.S. use dietary supplements, indicating a substantial market for functional ingredients. To meet this need, the agricultural industry must ensure consistent output; the United States Department of Agriculture projected global wheat consumption to reach approximately 802 million metric tons in 2024, securing the raw grain supply necessary to scale oil production for functional foods and nutritional capsules.

Market Challenges

A major obstacle to commercial growth is wheat germ oil's tendency toward rapid rancidity and oxidation. This chemical instability drastically reduces the extract's shelf life, requiring manufacturers to implement rigorous, capital-heavy storage measures to preserve quality. To maintain the nutrient profile without hastening degradation, producers are often forced to use expensive processing methods like cold-pressing. These logistical and processing demands significantly increase the final product's cost, making it economically impractical for inclusion in high-volume, price-sensitive consumer goods and limiting the market primarily to premium sectors rather than mass-market applications.

This cost-related constraint is exacerbated by the heavy consumption of the raw material within the global food supply chain. According to projections by the United States Department of Agriculture, global wheat consumption was expected to reach around 803 million metric tons in 2024. Although the underlying commodity is traded on a massive scale, the economic inefficiencies involved in stabilizing its fragile oil derivative hinder producers from reaching the economies of scale needed to compete with lower-cost, more stable botanical oils. This dynamic effectively restricts market expansion by preventing wheat germ oil from evolving from a niche specialized ingredient into a commoditized staple.

Market Trends

The incorporation of wheat germ oil into recovery formulations and sports nutrition marks a strategic evolution toward plant-based performance aids. Formulators are increasingly leveraging the oil's significant octacosanol levels to create ergogenic products aimed at accelerating muscle repair and boosting endurance, differentiating them from standard protein supplements. This trend enables producers to market the extract as a functional requirement for athletic stamina rather than a generic additive. As evidence of the commercial potential, Glanbia PLC reported in its 'Full-Year 2024 Update' in February 2025 that its Performance Nutrition division achieved roughly $1.81 billion in revenue, underscoring the vast ecosystem available for specialized ingredients like wheat germ oil to enter the athletic recovery market.

Concurrently, the move into fortifying premium pet food is altering the downstream application of this ingredient. With pet owners increasingly seeking human-grade benefits for their animals, manufacturers are adding wheat germ oil to high-end wet foods and kibble to enhance coat luster and skin health. This usage creates a profitable channel for oil stocks that adhere to specific veterinary nutritional criteria, expanding revenue sources beyond human applications. Highlighting the scale of this opportunity, the American Pet Products Association stated in its '2025 State of the Industry Report' in March 2025 that total U.S. pet industry spending hit $152 billion in 2024, a figure that encourages lipid suppliers to broaden their portfolios into the animal wellness space.

Key Players Profiled in the Wheat Germ Oil Market

• Agroselprom Ltd.
• Natural Organics Inc.
• PHM Brands, LLC
• Country Life Vitamins, LLC
• NOW Health Group, Inc.
• Hebei Jiafeng Plant Oils Co., Ltd.
• NeoLife International, LLC
• GNC Holdings, LLC
• NutriPlex Formulas Inc.
• Arista Industries, Inc.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Wheat Germ Oil Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Wheat Germ Oil Market, by Nature:

• Organic
• Conventional

Wheat Germ Oil Market, by End User:

• Cosmetics & Personal Care
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food & Beverages
• Feed Industry
• Others

Wheat Germ Oil Market, by Distribution Channel:

• Direct Sales
• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Online
• Others

Wheat Germ Oil Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Wheat Germ Oil Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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