Staple Food Global Market Report 2025

The staple food market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.72 trillion in 2024 to $1.83 trillion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to historical improvements in agricultural practices, population growth, colonial expansion, green revolution, and increased investment in agriculture.

The staple food market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to " $2.35 trillion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing popularity of plant-based diets, rise of e-commerce, rising demand for sustainably sourced food, rise in organic staple foods, and changing consumer lifestyles. Major trends in the forecast period include sustainable farming practices, innovations in agricultural technology, the development of new-plant-based systems, a rise in demand for organic and non-GMO staple foods, and precision agriculture and smart farming.

The forecast of 6.4% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.5% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by raising prices for rice and wheat-based products, as imports from Thailand and Australia become more expensive.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing popularity of plant-based diets is expected to drive the expansion of the staple food market in the coming years. Plant-based diets focus on foods derived from plants, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. This rise in popularity is attributed to a growing awareness of the health benefits, environmental concerns, and ethical issues related to animal welfare. Staple foods such as grains, legumes, and vegetables play a key role in plant-based diets, enhancing nutritional intake, supporting sustainable agriculture, reducing reliance on resource-intensive animal farming, and promoting environmental sustainability. For example, in 2023, the Good Food Institute, a US-based nonprofit organization, reported that plant-based food market sales reached $8.24 billion in 2022, up from $7.78 billion in 2021. As a result, the increasing popularity of plant-based diets is fueling growth in the staple food market.

Leading companies in the staple food market are developing innovative products such as Instabowls to meet the growing demand for convenient, quick, and nutritious meal options. Instabowls are an innovative product line designed to provide a portable breakfast solution for busy consumers. For instance, in September 2022, Kellogg Company, a US-based food company, launched Instabowls. This revolutionary cereal innovation allows consumers to create instant milk by adding cold water to the bowl. Instabowls are available in four iconic Kellogg cereal varieties, including Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, and Raisin Bran Crunch. This innovation addresses the common issue of accessing milk while on the go, making it easier for consumers to enjoy their favorite cereals anywhere, anytime.

In December 2023, Weetabix, a UK-based food processing company, acquired Deeside Cereals for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to expand Weetabix's product portfolio and manufacturing capabilities in the UK, thereby strengthening its market position. Deeside Cereals is a UK-based company that manufactures staple foods.

Staple food refers to essential dietary items that form the foundation of a region or culture's diet, typically providing a significant portion of daily calorie intake. These foods are often abundant, affordable, and widely accessible, serving as reliable sources of nutrition and energy for populations.

The main types of staple foods include cereals, sugar, roots and tubers, fruits, vegetables, oil, and others. Vegetables, as staple food products, encompass a wide variety such as leafy greens, broccoli, and carrots. These can be found in both organic and conventional forms and are distributed through wholesale distributors, online retailers, other distribution channels, direct-to-consumer (D2C), and retail stores.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid implementation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a notable impact on the food and beverage sector. Rising costs for imported ingredients such as olive oil, cheese, and tropical fruits are pressuring food manufacturers to either reformulate their products or absorb reduced profit margins. Beverage producers are similarly affected, with tariffs on aluminum cans driving up packaging costs. Meanwhile, retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports like soybeans and pork are disrupting farm-to-processor supply chains. In response, companies are adjusting recipes, increasing local sourcing, and using commodity hedging strategies to manage price volatility.

The staple food market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides staple food market statistics, including staple food industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a staple food market share, detailed staple food market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the staple food industry. This staple food market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Major companies operating in the staple food market are Cargill Incorporated, Nestle S.A., Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Pepsico Inc., JBS S.A., Unilever PLC, AB InBev, Mars Incorporated, Coca-Cola Company, Mondelez International Inc., Danone S.A., Kraft Heinz Company, Diageo PLC, The Kellogg Company, ITC Limited, Adani Wilmar Ltd., General Mills Inc., Alliance Grain Traders (AGT) Food and Ingredients Inc., Saskcan Pulse Trading, Soylent Nutrition Inc., True Made Foods.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the staple food market in 2024. The regions covered in the staple food market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the staple food market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The staple food market consists of sales of essential food items such as grains, pulses, spices, value-added products, and pantry staples. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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