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Barley Flakes Market

The market for Barley Flakes was estimated at $8.3 billion in 2025; it is anticipated to increase to $10.8 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $14.2 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1901047
Author:Debadatta Patel - Senior Consultant
Published Date:
Datatree
Food & Beverage
Packaged & Processed F&B
Barley Flakes
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Report Summary
Market Data
Methodology
Table of Contents

Global Barley Flakes Market Outlook

Revenue, 2025

$8.3B

Forecast, 2035

$14.2B

CAGR, 2026 - 2035

5.5%

The Barley Flakes industry revenue is expected to be around $8.3 billion in 2026 and expected to showcase growth with 5.5% CAGR between 2026 and 2035. Building on this outlook, the Barley Flakes market is solidifying its role as a staple category in the global whole grain flakes and breakfast cereal market, propelled by heightened focus on fiber-rich foods, digestive wellness, and cardiovascular health. High adoption in Food & Beverage and Household Consumption end-use segments, which together account for 78.0% of demand, illustrates the product’s integration into everyday diets through ready-to-eat cereals, porridges, and bakery innovations. The dominance of Hulled Barley Flakes Nature, generating $3.76 billion in sales in 2025, underscores strong preference for minimally processed, clean label, whole grain flakes aligned with plant-based nutrition and functional foods. Ongoing product diversification, including organic, fortified, and instant-cook barley cereal formats, is further reinforcing the category’s relevance across both mature and emerging consumer markets.

Barley Flakes are steamed and rolled from whole barley kernels to preserve beta-glucan, dietary fiber, protein, and essential micronutrients, positioning them as a versatile base for healthy grains portfolios and value-added cereal products. Key features such as slow-release carbohydrates, satiating texture, and compatibility with other grains make Barley Flakes a preferred ingredient in breakfast cereal formulations, muesli, granola, snack bars, baked goods, and convenient meal kits. In the barley flakes market, demand is increasingly driven by trends toward functional foods, plant-based nutrition, and clean label convenience foods, as manufacturers launch innovative blends with fruits, seeds, and flavors tailored to evolving lifestyle needs. Rising incorporation of Barley Flakes in fiber-enriched foods, weight-management diets, and better-for-you product lines is expected to sustain strong traction across retail, foodservice, and online channels in the coming years.

Barley Flakes market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2025-2035
Barley Flakes Market Outlook

Market Key Insights

  • The Barley Flakes market is projected to grow from $8.3 billion in 2025 to $14.2 billion in 2035. This represents a CAGR of 5.5%, reflecting rising demand across Food, Brewing, and Health Supplement.

  • The market exhibits an oligopolistic structure with only 7 prominent players, with Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods and Shiloh Farms commanding the largest shares.

  • U.S. and China are the top markets within the Barley Flakes market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 3.6% to 5.3% between 2025 and 2030.

  • Emerging markets including Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 6.3% to 7.6%.

  • Industry players are pushing the adoption of transitions like Shift Towards Health-Conscious Consumption for future years due to existing low growth of 5.5% ; but are also expected to invest $292 million by 2030.

  • The Barley Flakes market is set to add $5.9 billion between 2025 and 2035, with manufacturer targeting Food & Beverage & Animal Feed Application projected to gain a larger market share.

  • With

    increasing health consciousness, and

    Rise in Vegan and Plant-based Diets, Barley Flakes market to expand 71% between 2025 and 2035.

barley flakes market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032
Barley Flakes - Country Share Analysis

Opportunities in the Barley Flakes

In the United States, plant-based nutrition and sports nutrition categories increasingly experiment with Barley Flakes as a complex-carbohydrate base for shakes, energy bars, and recovery cereals. Conventional barley flakes benefit from global values projected to rise from $1.48 billion in 2025 to $1.90 billion by 2030 at a 5.2% CAGR. The strongest upside lies in gluten-friendly recipes for endurance athletes, where conventional flakes in ready-to-mix blends will also deliver the highest incremental volume growth.

Growth Opportunities in North America and Europe

In North America, Barley Flakes demand is primarily driven by the Food & Beverage end-use, where manufacturers integrate them into the breakfast cereal market, bakery mixes, and ready-to-eat cereals to meet strong consumer interest in whole grain cereals and high-fiber foods. Top opportunities lie in co-developing functional foods with major processors, extending Barley Flakes into muesli and granola, protein-enriched clusters, and on-the-go snack formats that align with clean label products and the fast-growing plant-based nutrition segment, while household consumption can be expanded through convenient instant and flavored variants. Competition is intensifying from domestic grain processors, private-label retail brands, and diversified cereal companies, pushing Barley Flakes suppliers to differentiate via traceable sourcing, non-GMO and sustainability claims, and tailored flake sizes for specific Food & Beverage applications, with Animal Feed remaining a secondary but stable outlet for lower-grade material. Strategic investment should focus on capacity for value-added flaking, custom blends, and fortification capabilities, enabling agile responses to retailer innovation cycles and premium health-positioned launches across e-commerce and club channels.
In Europe, Barley Flakes growth is anchored in Household Consumption and Food & Beverage, supported by long-standing traditions of porridge, artisan bakery, and whole grain cereals, combined with regulatory emphasis on high-fiber foods and reduced sugar, which underpins steady incorporation of Barley Flakes into mainstream and niche breakfast cereal market lines. Key opportunities include organic and heritage-variety Barley Flakes, hybrid oat–barley muesli and granola positioned around digestive wellness and heart health, and clean label products for retail and foodservice, while specialized grades can address equine and ruminant Animal Feed niches that value consistent flake quality. Competitive dynamics are shaped by established cereal brands, regional mills, and discount retailers’ private labels, making provenance storytelling, climate-smart barley sourcing, and recyclable packaging critical differentiators, with functional foods innovation providing an avenue to premium pricing. Focused investment in localized flavors, smaller pack formats for urban households, and collaborative development with European bakery and dairy manufacturers can help capture incremental share in mature Western markets and accelerate Barley Flakes penetration in Central and Eastern Europe.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Rising Global Health Awareness and Demand for Nutrient-Rich, Functional Grains

Consumers worldwide are also increasingly prioritizing health and wellness, driving demand for nutrient-rich grains such as barley flakes that offer high dietary fiber, essential micronutrients, and functional benefits. Barley flakes are also rich in beta-glucans which support heart health, cholesterol management, and digestive wellness, making them attractive to health-conscious buyers and medical nutrition markets. At the same time, the rise of functional foods and plant-based diets has also intensified interest in grains with added health value beyond basic nutrition. Food manufacturers are also incorporating barley flakes into snack, cereals bars, and fortified foods to cater to these trends. Technological advancements in grain processing have also also improved the texture and palatability of barley flakes, expanding their appeal in ready-to-eat and convenience food categories. Together, these shifts are also enabling barley flakes to capture a larger share of both mainstream and specialty food portfolios, supporting sustained market growth in retail and food service channels.
also advances in food processing technologies are also enabling broader use of barley flakes in diverse product formulations. Improved flaking, steam-rolling, and dehulling processes enhance shelf stability, cooking performance, and sensory attributes, making barley flakes more adaptable to cereals, baking mixes, snacks, and beverage applications. These innovations help manufacturers overcome past barriers such as cooking time and texture challenges, opening new applications in convenience and premium food categories. Enhanced processing also supports clean-label and minimally processed positioning, reinforcing barley flakes’ appeal among food developers and health-oriented consumers.
02

Restraint: Limited Consumer Awareness Compared with More Popular Grains Restricts Demand Growth

Despite barley flakes’ health benefits, limited consumer awareness and preference for oats and wheat constrain market expansion. Many consumers still default to oats or wheat flakes for breakfast and baking, reducing barley flakes’ shelf presence and slowing retail sales growth. For example, barley flakes often receive lower promotional support from major grocery chains, leading to weaker consumer trial and repeat purchases. This lack of mainstream familiarity limits revenue potential and discourages major food brands from heavy investment in barley-based product lines.
03

Opportunity: Rising demand for functional breakfast cereals in Germany boosts Barley Flakes and Urban Indian millennial consumers seeking convenient whole grain snacks using Barley Flakes

In Germany, demand for Barley Flakes in functional breakfast cereals is rising as consumers prioritize whole grain cereals, high-fiber diet patterns, and clean label products. Organic barley flakes, supported by global revenues increasing from $3.76 billion in 2025 to $4.72 billion by 2030 at a 4.7% CAGR, are particularly attractive for premium muesli, granola, and instant porridge launches. The fastest growth will come from organic formats in retail private labels and health-focused supermarket ranges.
In India, rapidly urbanizing millennial consumers are trading traditional breakfasts for convenient whole grain snacks incorporating Barley Flakes, especially in baked biscuits, cereal bars, and instant upma cups. Value-added Barley Flakes applications globally are projected to expand from $2.36 and $0.70 billion in 2025 to $3.27 and $0.94 billion by 2030, with CAGRs of 6.7% and 6.21%. The fastest growth is expected from fortified organic barley flakes in modern retail and quick-service restaurant channels.
04

Challenge: Higher Production Costs and Supply Chain Variability Increase Price Sensitivity

Production of high-quality barley flakes requires precise milling and flaking technology, which increases manufacturing costs compared with more established grains. Seasonal yield fluctuations and transportation constraints add variability in raw barley supply, resulting in price volatility. These higher costs often translate to elevated retail prices, making barley flakes less competitive against cheaper alternatives. As a result, demand in price-sensitive markets remains subdued, impacting overall market dynamics and slowing penetration in developing regions.

Supply Chain Landscape

1

Barley Sourcing

Briess Malt & IngredientsHoneyville
2

Barley Flakes Processing

Bob’s Red Mill Natural FoodsShiloh FarmsHoneyville
3

Retail Distribution

Bob’s Red Mill Natural FoodsKing Arthur Baking CompanyShiloh Farms
4

End-Use Applications

Breakfast cerealsBakery productsFoodservice
Barley Flakes - Supply Chain

Use Cases of Barley Flakes in Food & Health Supplement

Food : Barley flakes made from whole grain or pearled barley kernels are widely used in the food industry thanks to their high nutritional value, including fiber, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, making them a preferred ingredient in breakfast cereals, porridge, granola, and baked goods like bread, muffins, and cookies. Their slightly nutty flavor and quick-cooking properties support convenience food trends and health-oriented diets. Major players such as Bob’s Red Mill, King Arthur Baking Company, Shiloh Farms, and Urban Platter have strengthened their portfolios with barley flake products targeting wholesome and clean-label food markets, leveraging strong brand reputations and distribution networks to capture consumer demand.
Brewing : Although malted barley rather than barley flakes is the principal raw material for beer production, barley flakes do play a role in some brewing-related applications and craft beverage experimentation where flaked barley is used to adjust body, mouthfeel, and flavor profiles in specialty ales and beers. Certain breweries also explore barley flake adjuncts in seasonal or experimental brews to diversify texture and increase soluble fiber components, reflecting a trend in craft brewing toward novel grain bills. Complementary malting and brewing ingredients are supplied by firms like Briess Malt & Ingredients Co. and Helsinki Mylly Oy, which support both traditional malting and flaked barley products for specialty brewers and beverage innovators.
Health Supplement : In health supplement and functional food segments, barley flakes are prized for their high beta-glucan soluble fiber content, which is linked to improved cholesterol management, glucose regulation, digestive support, and heart health. These attributes make barley flakes an ingredient in fiber-enriched smoothies, dietary cereals, and plant-based nutrition products marketed by health-centric brands. Producers like Honeyville, Rude Health, and Naturally Yours leverage barley flakes in formulations aimed at wellness-conscious consumers and dietary supplement channels, promoting clean-label, nutrient-rich products with strong phytochemical profiles.

Recent Developments

Recent developments in the barley flakes market reflect a shift toward functional foods, clean-label ingredients, and expanded use in ready-to-eat cereals and healthy snack formulations. Producers are investing in processing technology to enhance flake uniformity and beta-glucan content, supporting claims for heart health and digestive wellness. A key trend is the rise of plant-based nutrition and high-fiber grain products, driving innovation in breakfast cereals, baking mixes, and dietary supplement ingredients.

June 2025 : Cereal Food Manufacturing Co acquired a regional barley processing firm, broadening its capabilities in barley-based products including barley flakes and strengthening retail availability and production scale, a strategic move that continued to influence its 2025 positioning in whole-grain markets.
September 2025 : Although specific partnerships or acquisitions were not publicly announced, Shiloh Farms has been highlighted by market reports as expanding its clean-label and organic barley flakes range in response to rising demand for healthy whole grains, reinforcing its supply commitment in the natural foods segment.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Barley Flakes Market

As a core segment of the Packaged & Processed F&B industry, the Barley Flakes market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Shift Towards Health-Conscious Consumption and Incorporation of Technological Advancements in Production have redefined priorities across the Packaged & Processed F&B sector, influencing how the Barley Flakes market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Shift Towards Health-Conscious Consumption

Driven by an accelerating shift toward health-conscious consumption, the Barley Flakes market is moving from a niche wholesome cereal segment to a strategic growth platform within healthy breakfast cereals and whole grain cereals. Despite currently modest growth of about 5.5%, industry stakeholders see Barley Flakes as a lever to capture rising demand for high-fiber breakfast and nutritious breakfast options that support digestive health, weight management, and plant-based diets. To unlock this potential, leading players are expected to deploy approximately $292 million in targeted investments by 2030, prioritizing product innovation, clean-label ingredients, and functional food market positioning. This capital reallocation signals a deliberate effort to re-energize category performance and secure long-term competitive advantage in health-focused grain-based foods.
02

Incorporation of Technological Advancements in Production

The incorporation of technological advancements in barley flakes production is reshaping the industry by improving efficiency, consistency, and scalability. Advanced optical sorting, automated cleaning systems, and precision dehulling technologies are enabling processors to achieve higher grain purity, uniform flake quality, and reduced raw material losses. These improvements support growing demand from food manufacturers requiring standardized inputs for breakfast cereals, bakery products, and functional foods. In the brewing and health nutrition sectors, improved processing accuracy ensures better beta-glucan retention and predictable performance in formulations. Additionally, automation and digital monitoring systems lower operational costs and enhance traceability, supporting regulatory compliance and export readiness. This transition is also encouraging capacity expansion among grain processors, strengthening supply chains and enabling faster response to rising demand across food, beverage, and dietary supplement industries.