Gluten Free Food Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis to 2035

Gluten Free Food Market

The future of the global gluten free food market looks promising with opportunities in the bakery product, infant formula, pasta, dairy product, and ready meal markets. The global gluten free food market is expected to reach an estimated $14.3 billion by 2035 from $8.3 billion in 2027 with a CAGR of 7.0% from 2027 to 2035. The major drivers for this market are the growing demand of natural & clean-label products, the rising e-commerce sales of gluten-free food items, and the increasing health consciousness among consumers.

• Lucintel forecasts that, within the form category, solid form is expected to witness higher growth over the forecast period due to more options for everyday solid food.
• Within the type category, bakery products is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period due to increased request for gluten-free bread and gluten-free bakery snacks.
• In terms of regions, APAC is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period due to more understanding for gluten intolerance coupled with more westernized eating habits.

Emerging Trends in Gluten Free Food Market

The market for gluten-free foods is expected to expand beyond 2025 and move beyond special dietary markets. Improvements in production by various agricultural industries will lower costs and improve the taste and nutrition of gluten-free foods. Enforcement of government regulations on labeling claims will also positively impact the gluten-free food industry. Other factors positively impacting the industry include the use of safer ingredients and processes, and the distribution and marketing of gluten-free foods.

• Sustainability: In the next several years, there will be an increased focus on sustainability by gluten-free food producers. However, food packaging and processing will remain major sources of waste and high carbon emissions. Sourcing, packaging, and processing will impact consumer choices.
• Clean Label Nutrition: There will be an increased emphasis on the use of real, whole, and/or high-quality food ingredients. These will differ from traditional and/or refined wheat and gluten ingredients.
• Premiumization: Improved sensory performance of food ingredients will positively impact the texture, taste and appeal of gluten-free foods. These will positively impact consumer choices and purchases for several years.
• Digital Manufacturing: From 2025 on, the application of automation for inspection, recipe analytics, and traceability will increase to manage cross-contact risk. Recalls will decrease, development time will decrease, and the variety of SKUs manufactured will increase. Additionally, a single production line will be able to manufacture multiple formulations.
• Regional Supply Chains: From 2025 to 2027, manufacturers will source a greater variety of grains to increase supply chain resiliency due to disruptions in the manufacturing and shipping industry. Increased input costs will result in a greater price variance for consumers.

The greatest opportunity for growth in the gluten-free food market will not be in the section for "wheat-free" foods, but rather in the section for "healthy" or "nutritious" foods that include gluten-free options. The greatest barrier to market penetration for gluten-free foods will be the inability to gain distribution in the food service industry. Gluten free foods will maintain a high level of market attractiveness and penetration through 2030.

Recent Developments in the Gluten Free Food Market

The gluten free food industry is moving to the center. From 2025 to 2027 expect more capacity, more refined processes and better claim substantiation. According to Lucintel, the best way to gain a competitive edge would be to focus on taste and other product differentiators such as price and other product advantages.

• Mergers and Acquisitions: In January 2025, Flowers Foods spent $795 million to buy Simple Mills. Simple Mills specializes in gluten/ grain free, better-for-you packaged snacks. Anticipate larger, more established companies to acquire gluten free food companies in the next 3-5 years.
• Distribution: With its updated standards, Whole Foods increased dedicated gluten free shelf space to more than 550 stores in 2025. As more retailers create dedicated gluten free space, more consumers will be able to learn and try gluten free products.
• Production: In March 2025, Schar announced a multi-million-euro investment to increase production capacity of its gluten free products across several facilities. Increased production of gluten free products will allow other companies to focus on distribution and other aspects of the business.
• Regulatory Environment: In 2025, the FDA did not adjust its gluten-free standard, leaving the limit at 20 parts per million. Enforcement of this standard creates an advantage for national suppliers to the expense of small private label suppliers.
• Product Enhancement: In 2025, several major suppliers to the bakery industry introduced gluten-free products with additional claims of fiber or protein. One such product introduced in 2025 contained 10 grams of protein per serving. The combination of gluten-free and protein claims target consumers beyond the gluten intolerant or celiac market.

Control of gluten is more a supply chain issue for suppliers and retailers. Specialty suppliers can gain and retain market share with product offerings aligned with consumer desires. For the retailer, the barrier for offering gluten-free products remains the price, or cost, of carrying the product. Evidence of dependable supply and product differentiation would assist retailers in offering the product. The consumer is looking for a better, healthier, more nutritious product that also is convenient and pleasing to the palate.

Strategic Growth Opportunities in the Gluten Free Food Market

The gluten-free market is expected to grow as the number of diagnoses increases, food services and retail increase their offerings. There will be increased demand for convenience and accuracy in gluten-free options. It is recommended to focus on high quality gluten-free products and differentiate from the competition.

• New Applications: The outlook for the next few years is positive, especially as more industry innovations occur. There are new, non-traditional gluten-free offerings such as sauces, frozen meals, and infant nutrition. It is expected that demand for gluten-free products will continue beyond baked goods.
• Premium Nutrition: It is likely that customers will become more discerning and continue to look for products that contain high levels of fiber and protein and other nutrients. It is predicted that products that focus on health and wellness and are priced at a premium will gain and retain market share.
• Beyond The Restaurant: Restaurants, hospitals, and other institutional food service are potential market opportunities. As of March 2025, Beyond Celiac reported that 1% of the world's population has celiac disease. In the next five years, the number of certified kitchens and suppliers is expected to increase, increasing the availability of gluten-free products.
• New Areas of Business: Consumers in urban areas of Latin America and Asia are potential customers. According to Euromonitor International, October 2025, packaged "free-from" products in developing countries will have high market growth. Success will depend on product price and package size.
• Product Track and Trace: Higher demand for gluten-free products will be achieved through verification of ingredients and integrity of the supply chain. Cross-contact between gluten-containing and gluten-free ingredients will be minimized. In February 2026, GS1 reported that 2 billion commercial transactions were recorded each day. Digital records of gluten-free product batches and QR codes will increase transparency of food supply.

Gluten-free, convenient, and nutritious foods will be the best business opportunities. Manufacturers and processors should focus on building effective supply chains and partnerships. Retailers should create plans for product categories and create their own brands. Eating gluten-free is not the only way to be successful in the food industry.

Gluten Free Food Market Drivers and Challenges

The Various Trends that Effect The Gluten Free Food Industry Are: Consumer trends, technologies, prices, sustainability, and legislation. More people are being diagnosed with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. This increase in awareness has increased the demand for gluten free food. Challenges for companies in this industry include: charge a high price because of a small consumer base, providing a high-quality product, and ensuring product consistency. Lucintel believes that challenges for companies in this industry will remain unchanged for the next 5 years. For companies to succeed, products must be priced affordably, safely, and consistently fulfil the need for good tasting and nutritious food.

The factors responsible for driving this market include:

• Demand for Gluten-Free Products: The number of people diagnosed with celiac disease and NCGS has increased, and there is growing interest in gluten-free lifestyles. Data collected in March 2025, from major retail outlets, showed that bakeries and foods service areas (FSA) were making more gluten-free options available. Other surveys showed that over the next several years, the need for gluten-free and other dietary restricted foods would increase. The new demand would be for convenient foods, and the products would need to be of better quality.
• New Innovations: The use of new technologies and processes, such as innovative enzymes and extrusion, would improve the taste and texture of gluten-free products, and reduce the dryness and crumbling. Other processes could improve the elasticity of gluten-free products. Within the next few years, the use of new processing technologies could reduce the cost of producing gluten-free products.
• Regulatory Support: More stringent food labelling rules and greater scrutiny of allergens will lead consumers to seek out gluten-free products. In February 2025, both regulators and certifiers focused on the 20-ppm threshold for gluten-free claims. Clarification of labelling standards allows the gluten-free food industry to make better label claims, builds consumer confidence and trust, and positively impacts the industry's reputation. The next 3 to 5 years should bring better international alignment, greater enforcement, and more positive changes for the industry. Higher global regulations may be a burden on small businesses and place a premium on reliable, accurate, and affordable laboratory testing.
• Sustainability: Most grain and pulse crops have a lower environmental impact than other crops. Sustainability is being used by food and beverage companies to make transformations in product offerings, raw materials, and processing. In September 2025, companies incorporated environmental benefits into their product and packaging claims using primarily sorghum, millet, and legumes. Grain and legume crops may provide greater value by reducing reliance on imported specialty crops. Sustainability and environmental benefits may impact the supply chain, packaging, and raw material sourcing in the next 3 to 5 years. Other positive impacts may include a strengthening of customer loyalty and trust, particularly if a company aligns gluten-free product safety with other positive impacts and benefits.
• Product Innovation: Traditionally, the gluten-free market primarily focused on staples, like breads and cookies. However, there has been recent expansion into other categories including beverages, desserts, breakfast, sports nutrition, and other categories. In 2026, manufacturers and suppliers of foodservice and retail products focused on the development of products with enhanced nutritional profiles and multiple forms of product augmentation. The innovation has improved the convenience and nutritional profiles of gluten-free products, and has helped brands target specific consumer demographics like children and the elderly. The competitive landscape will help determine the long-term viability of the brands and products in the gluten-free market.

The challenges facing this market include:

• High Costs: There are additional costs associated with the production of gluten-free products, such as specialized ingredients, and dedicated processing and production equipment. Due to the increased costs, gluten-free products are often more expensive than their conventional counterparts. There is a price premium of more than 20% for basic gluten-free products compared to conventional products. Naturally gluten-free products may be used in substitution for packaged gluten-free products. Lower- and middle-income households are likely to forgo the purchase of packaged gluten-free products. The price premium is expected to continue for the next 5-7 years due to inflation and variability in raw material prices. Manufacturers of packaged gluten-free products must improve operational and supply chain efficiencies in order to offset increased costs and control prices.
• Supply-Chain Complexity: The market relies on commercial quantities of certificated grains, starches, pulses, and other specialty ingredients. The market is also concerned with minimizing the potential for cross-contact during the supply chain (from the field to the finished product). There have been notable disruptions in cereal production and the supply of other ingredients in 2025. Disruptions in the supply of ingredients and high demand for products can strain a company's ability to meet the commitments it has made to its customers. Between now and the next 5 years, disruptions in the supply of ingredients and other uncertainties are likely to increase. To ensure they can meet their obligations to customers and to protect consumers, companies may need to work with multiple suppliers, and develop and implement effective supply chain strategies, as well as thoroughly test and evaluate products.
• Nutritional and Quality Concerns: Many gluten-free products contain large amounts of refined starches, added fats and/ORS sugars. The lack of dietary fiber and protein in these products raises public health and nutrition concerns. In 2025, a number of gluten-free products were introduced that contained dietary protein and fiber in an effort to address consumer concerns regarding the public health and nutrition impacts of gluten-free product.

If manufacturers do not enhance nutrition and sensory profiles, perceived value of products in the category may be longer and more expensive. In the next 3-5 years, there will be greater attention to the inclusion of a full-spectrum of essential nutrients in food products, shorter ingredient lists, and inclusion of allowable health claims. Challenges for manufacturers will include trade-offs among cost, sensory profile, and shelf stability. Due to the positive trend in consumer awareness, regulation, and technology, the next few years are likely to bring a strong market growth for gluten free foods. Continuous process and product improvement will allow companies to address consumer needs for food products with a broader range of nutrients, larger ingredient breadth, and improved food quality. However, the trade-offs among higher costs, less sustainability of the supply chain, and consumer perception of under-achievement on food product nutrition may hamper the market. The strongest market growth is likely to be in gluten free foods that improve product safety, ease and convenience of use.

List of Gluten Free Food Market Companies

Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. Through these strategies gluten free food market companies cater increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base. Some of the gluten free food market companies profiled in this report include-

• The Kraft Heinz Company
• Kellogg's Company
• General Mills
• The Hain Celestial Group Inc.
• ConAgra Brands Inc.
• Hero AG
• Barilla G.E.R Fratelli S.P.A
• Freedom Foods Group Limited
• Raisio PLC
• Enjoy Life Foods

Gluten Free Food Market by Segment

The study includes a forecast for the global gluten free food market by type, source, form, and region.

Gluten Free Food Market by Type [Value ($B) from 2019 to 2035]:

• Bakery Products
• Infant Formula
• Pasta
• Dairy Products
• Ready Meal
• Others

Gluten Free Food Market by Source [Value ($B) from 2019 to 2035]:

• Plant Sources
• Animal Sources

Gluten Free Food Market by Form [Value ($B) from 2019 to 2035]:

• Solid Form
• Liquid Form

Gluten Free Food Market by Region [Value ($B) from 2019 to 2035]:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• The Rest of the World

Country Wise Outlook for the Gluten Free Food Market

Labelling enforcement and increased manufacturing is most influential in the growth of the gluten free market. Leading up to 2027, especially, the market is expected to experience changes from law and policy implementation and cross-border investments. In the opinion of Lucintel, market direction will be determined by the laws of specific countries.

• United States: Food regulatory changes give significant market structure opportunity. In 2025, the U.S. FDA extended by 30 months the compliance date for its Food Traceability Final Rule. Between the extension and final compliance date in 2030, manufacturers worked to upgrade their supply chains to support traceability of gluten-free ingredients and products. Additionally, during the period, General Mills and other firms expanded its gluten-free offerings, including Cheerios.
• China: In 2025, China's National Health Commission (NHC) adopted amended food safety law. The amended law aligned with many of the FDA food safety laws and aimed to enhance food labelling laws and regulations in China. During this time, multinational gluten-free food companies continued selling their products through cross-border e-commerce channels. Over the next several years, most gluten-free food companies are anticipated to locally manufacture and distribute gluten-free products in alignment with new food laws and regulations.
• Germany: Investments in production and distribution of gluten-free products in Europe were made by Dr. Schar, and were strategically placed in Germany, one of the larger production and distribution hubs of gluten-free products. Germany also has the largest market of gluten-free products in Europe. The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste regulations were implemented in February 2025. Redesigning product packaging to be more amenable to product recycling will increase the costs of product manufacturing and distribution. This will also impact the placement and availability of gluten-free products in the German market.
• India: A threshold of 20 mg of gluten per kg of food for gluten-free labelling has been implemented by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. In 2025, more organized retailers in India launched gluten-free products under their private labels. More standardization in the gluten-free market has permitted more formal manufacture of these products. It has also improved acceptance of gluten-free products by retailers and food service providers.
• Japan: The Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan enforced labelling rules that required wheat to be listed as an allergen. In 2025, many rice and millet based products were launched by major food manufacturers. Before 2030, supermarket shelves are likely to see more products manufactured using rice and other domestic grains.

Features of the Global Gluten Free Food Market

• Market Size Estimates: gluten free food market size estimation in terms of value ($B).
• Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends (2019 to 2026) and forecast (2027 to 2035) by various segments and regions.
• Segmentation Analysis: gluten free food market size by type, source, form, and region in terms of value ($B).
• Regional Analysis: gluten free food market breakdown by North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.
• Growth Opportunities: Analysis of growth opportunities in different types, sources, forms, and regions for the gluten free food market.
• Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of the gluten free food market.

Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter's Five Forces model.

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This report answers following 11 key questions:

• Q.1. What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for the gluten free food market by type (bakery products, infant formula, pasta, dairy products, ready meal, and others), source (plant sources and animal sources), form (solid form and liquid form), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World)?
• Q.2. Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?
• Q.3. Which region will grow at a faster pace and why?
• Q.4. What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the key challenges and business risks in this market?
• Q.5. What are the business risks and competitive threats in this market?
• Q.6. What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?
• Q.7. What are some of the changing demands of customers in the market?
• Q.8. What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?
• Q.9. Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are key players pursuing for business growth?
• Q.10. What are some of the competing products in this market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by material or product substitution?
• Q.11. What M&A activity has occurred in the last 7 years and what has its impact been on the industry?