Gun Powder Market Report 2025

The gun powder market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $19.77 billion in 2024 to $20.91 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to colonial expansion & imperialism, global arms trade expansion, hunting and sporting culture, national defense spending surges, and domestic firearm ownership trends.

The gun powder market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $25.96 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. This anticipated growth is driven by increasing investments in military modernization programs, a rise in civilian demand for ammunition, expanded budgets for law enforcement, a growing market for shooting sports, and changes in environmental and safety regulations. Prominent trends expected during this period include technological advances in ammunition, eco-friendly gun powder innovations, improved propellant formulations, and customization for specific ammunition calibers.

The increasing appeal of hunting sports is contributing significantly to the expansion of the gun powder market. Hunting sports, which involve the regulated pursuit of wild game using firearms or bows, are gaining popularity as people seek to reconnect with nature and enjoy physically engaging, recreational outdoor experiences. Gun powder plays a key role in these activities by powering firearms for effective and accurate performance. For example, in December 2023, the Outdoor Industry Association, a U.S.-based nonprofit membership group, reported that 14.7 million Americans engaged in hunting with bows or firearms at least once in 2022, reflecting a 1% rise from the previous year. This trend underlines how the growing interest in hunting is helping fuel demand in the gun powder market.

Leading players in the gun powder industry are emphasizing innovation, particularly through the development of double-base spherical smokeless powder, to improve ballistic outcomes, storage life, and environmental performance for both military and civilian uses. This type of powder, composed of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin in round grains, offers better metering and cleaner burning characteristics for more efficient firearm usage. For example, in May 2024, Hodgdon Powder Company, a U.S.-based gunpowder manufacturer and distributor, introduced a double-base, spherical smokeless propellant tailored for magnum and high-intensity rifle cartridges. It delivers temperature stability, consistent metering, and precise performance, with optimal density for magnum loads. The powder is designed to achieve low velocity spreads and standard deviations, suitable for a range of cartridges including.243 Winchester,.338 Lapua Magnum, 6.5, 7mm, and.30 PRC, as well as 7mm Remington Magnum and.30 Winchester Magnum.

In November 2024, Czechoslovak Group, a Czechia-based provider of aerospace and defense solutions, completed the acquisition of The Kinetic Group for an undisclosed sum. This move was intended to expand CSG’s influence within the U.S. market and strengthen its portfolio of small-caliber ammunition. By incorporating established brands and boosting production capacity, the company aims to better serve NATO and allied countries with top-quality ammunition products. The Kinetic Group, based in the U.S., manufactures highly reliable and powerful ammunition, including gun powder.

Major players in the gun powder market are General Dynamics Corporation, Rheinmetall AG, Poongsan Corporation, Maxam Outdoors S.A., Eurenco, GOEX Powder Inc., Tecnomine S.r.l., Shooters World LLC, Nitrochemie Aschau GmbH, Mil-Spec Industries, Hodgdon Powder Company Inc., G And L Calibers Limited, Pravisani S.p.A., Alliant Powder, Victory Cartridges, Nitrokémia Zrt., NobelSport Italia S.p.A., Vihtavuori Oy, Cheddite S.R.L., Fabbrica Romana Esplosivi S.r.l., Schuetzen Powder, Laflin & Rand Powder Company.

North America was the largest region in the gun powder market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in gunpowder report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the gunpowder market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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 sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

Gunpowder is a chemical compound composed of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. When ignited, it undergoes a swift chemical reaction that produces a significant amount of hot gases. The rapid release and expansion of these gases generate intense pressure, which can propel projectiles from firearms or cause powerful detonations in cannons and pyrotechnic devices.

There are several primary types of gun powder, including smokeless powder, black powder, Pyrodex, double-base powder, and single-base powder. Smokeless powder is known for generating minimal smoke during combustion, making it more efficient and cleaner compared to traditional powders. It comes in various forms such as granulated, powdered, sheet, pelleted, and liquid, catering to diverse applications like military and defense, entertainment, mining, fireworks, construction, and sporting. These powders are distributed through online platforms and brand-specific websites and are utilized by government entities, private users, and commercial enterprises.

The gun powder market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides gun powder market statistics, including gun powder industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a gun powder market share, detailed gun powder market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the gun powder industry. This gun powder 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.

The gunpowder market consists of sales of ammunition, fireworks, explosives, propellants, and flares. 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 and 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.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.