Chia Seeds Market

Global Chia Seeds Market Overview

Chia Seeds Market size was valued at USD 0.31 billion in 2023. The chia seeds industry is projected to grow from USD 0.33 Billion in 2024 to USD 0.61 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.93% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Rising demand for gluten-free products, awareness about the health benefits of chia seeds, and usage of omega 3 in animal feed are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

• Growing demand for gluten-free products to boost the market growth

The growing demand for ancient nutritional grains and multi-cereal-based products like functional foods drives the demand for the product. They are gluten-free and have increased protein content. The gluten-free property of the product is anticipated to create a strong demand among consumers suffering from gluten intolerance (celiac disease) or those who avoid gluten because of their lifestyle choices.

Moreover, the rising usage of chia seeds as a primary ingredient in the personal care industry, owing to advantages such as skin repair and enhanced complexion, is likely to increase the demand and portfolios for the market. The growing use of the product as a stiffening ingredient in cake mixes and smoothies also adds to the advancement for chia seeds industry.

Additionally, increasing demand for chia seeds in dietary supplements & protein bars and natural food ingredients in the food & beverage industry, preference for organic & gluten-free, and vegan diets fuelled by growing awareness about the product, especially among professional athletes, are some of the factors driving the growth of the chia seeds market. Moreover, the preference for non-Genetically Modifies Organisms (GMO) chia seeds for cultivation is an immense opportunity for raw material suppliers and distributors to invest has enhanced the Chia Seeds market CAGR across the globe in recent years.

However, rapidly increasing awareness of healthy aspects associated with chia seeds is projected to foster market growth during the forecast period. Chia seeds being rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, can potentially improve metabolism, prevent premature aging of the skin, reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and can strengthen bones & muscles. The rising popularity of chia seeds among the health-conscious population and increased demand for chia seeds as a functional food ingredient is expected to further the market growth of the chia seeds market revenue.

Chia Seeds Market Segment Insights

Chia Seeds Type Insights

The chia seeds market segmentation, based on category, includes organic and conventional. The organic segment held the majority share in 2022 of the chia seeds market revenue. This is due to higher nutritional content, and the demand for organic chia seeds is increasing among manufacturers of nutritional and dietary supplements. However, conventional is the fastest-growing category over the forecast period due to the higher content of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Chia Seeds Form Insights

The chia seeds market segmentation, based on form, includes whole, powdered, and oil. The whole segment dominated the market in 2022 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2022-2032. This is due to high demand, and it is easily available in the industry and can be added to many foods and drinks. However, the chia seed oil is the fastest-growing category due to rising demand. In addition, the oil form has a wide scope of application in various foods as it contains fatty acids, dietary fibers, and antioxidant elements that positively impact the market growth.

Chia Seeds Application Insights

The chia seeds market data has been bifurcated by application into food & beverages, pharmaceuticals & nutraceuticals, personal care & cosmetics, and others. The food & beverages segment dominated the market in 2022 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2022-2032, due to the high nutritional value, and growing demand of the product in food and beverages industry. However, food & beverages is the fastest-growing category due to increasing demand for superfoods and nutraceuticals.

Figure 1: Chia Seeds Market, by Application, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Chia Seeds Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. The North America chia seeds market accounted for USD 0.14 billion in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR growth during the study period. This is attributed to the growing vegan food requirements, community lifestyle, health awareness, and shifting from junk foods to healthy snacks in this region. The American Heart Association recommends including omega-3-rich foods and oils in daily diets to prevent heart disease. With time, plant sources of omega-3 EFAs are gaining popularity due to their easy corporation in convenience and functional foods and their neutral taste. Further, the major countries studied in the market report are: The U.S, Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: CHIA SEEDS MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2023 (%)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

The Europe chia seeds market accounts for the second-largest market share due to high product consumption. Chia seed merchants are actively creating educational marketing programs that include in-store demonstrations around the country, investing heavily in point-of-sale displays and supplying the customers with a certificate of analysis on every batch of chia to increase their market shares. Further, the Germany chia seeds market held the largest market share, and the UK chia seeds market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific Chia Seeds Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2032. This is due to increasing product consumption in countries such as India, China, and Japan. Rising cases of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes, blood pressure, and asthma, have resulted in increased demand for healthy snacks, which, in turn, will augment the regional market growth. Moreover, China chia seeds market held the largest market share, and the India chia seeds market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region

Chia Seeds Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the chia seeds market grow even more. Market participants are also taking various strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the chia seeds industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

Manufacturing locally to reduce operating costs is one of the primary business strategies manufacturers adopt in the chia seeds industry to benefit clients and expand the market sector. The chia seeds market major player such as Benexia Europa SA (Belgium), The Chia Co. (US), Chia Bia Slovakia s.r.o. (Slovakia), Naturkost Übelhoer GmbH & Co. (Germany) and others are working on expanding the market demand by investing in research and development activities.

Benexia is a Chia Ingredients manufacturer, a fully integrated company born in 2005 with the expertise to produce and process the best chia seeds, free from contaminants and GMOs, guaranteeing full traceability and the highest processing quality standards for its Chia Ingredients. In October 2021, Benexia launched encapsulated oil as a move to derive added value from chia seeds. Chilean firm Benexia has become a supplier of chia-based ingredients instead of being purely a purveyor of the seed itself. Benexia Company, based in Santiago, has marketed and processed chia grown in Bolivia and elsewhere for years. The latest ingredient to arise from this process is called Benexia ALA Powder. The encapsulated, water-soluble ingredient is 25% alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) by weight.

Also, KRBL Limited is an Indian rice processing and exporting company and the world's largest rice miller. It is best known for its India Gate brand of basmati rice, the largest-selling rice brand in India. The company exports rice to over 80 countries, and about 75% of its export revenue comes from Middle East countries as of 2018. In March 2021, India Gate Basmati Rice announced 2 new additions in the domestic market to its healthy foods branded portfolio: "wholesome health special chia seeds" and "active heart special roasted flax seeds."

Key Companies in the Chia Seeds market include

• Benexia Europa S.A. (Belgium)
• The Chia Co. (US)
• Chia Bia Slovakia s.r.o. (Slovakia)
• Naturkost Übelhoer GmbH & Co. (Germany)
• ChiaCorp (US)
• Bob's Red Mill (US)
• Glanbia plc (Ireland)
• Navitas Organics (US)
• Spectrum Organics Products LLC (US)
• Garden of Life (US)
• Mamma Chia LLC (US)
• Mother India Organics and Naturals Pvt. Ltd. (India)
• Organic India (India)
• Agropecuaria Chia Corp Bolivia SA. (Bolivia)
• Bagrrys India Limited (India)
• Sakata Seed Corporation (Japan), among others

Chia Seeds Industry Developments

On March 20, 2024, a new set of products was announced by Health Warrior which is a well-known brand in the chia seeds market. The company’s new product range, which they have designed to fit the health-conscious consumer with its chia bars that are chia seed based, also includes organic chia seeds. This is in line with the company’s need to expand into a new target market which needs nutritious on-the-go snacks. The policy correlates with the Health Warrior’s strategy of increasing their vitamin product’s range, maintaining their position in the fast-expanding plant-based foods market.

On January 22, 2024, Nutiva, an American based organic food firm announced its entry into new markets with the introduction of new chia seed protein powders. The new powders target consumers who wish to use plant-based, high protein supplements, mostly in the sports and fitness market. This step and Nutiva’s commitment to catering to the market and supply of multifunctional and multi-benefit health food reflects the food industry’s trend.

In December of 2023, the Mexican government introduced a program to enhance international sales of chia seeds grown in Mexico. Chia is one of Mexico's leading exports renowned globally for a high demand and the country has been trying, through its policies, to enhance the market participation by supporting chia farmers and enhancing production techniques. This program is anticipated to increase global chia seed supply and expand the market.

In November of 2023, the Australian chia seed company The Chia Co. announced the launch of a new innovative processing plant located in Australia. This facility is aimed at enhancing company capability and meeting burgeoning worldwide demand for chia seeds in particular regions especially the Asia-Pacific and North America.

In October 2023, the supermarket chain bought out Whole Foods began offering its customers chia seeds as there is a market surge in demand for plant-based and superfoods. The new range includes organic chia seeds, snacks made from chia and chia flour which targets consumers looking for convenient and nutritionally dense foods.

Chia Seeds Market Segmentation

Chia Seeds Category Outlook

• Organic
• Conventional

Chia Seeds Form Outlook

• Whole Chia Seeds
• Powdered Chia Seeds
• Chia Seed Oil

Chia Seeds Application Outlook

• Food & Beverages
• Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals
• Personal Care & Cosmetics
• Others

Chia Seeds Regional Outlook

• North America
  • US
  • Canada

• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe

• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific

• Rest of the World
  • Middle East
  • Africa
  • Latin America