The Global Millet Market Just Hit USD 44 Billion — What International Buyers Need to Know in 2026

The global millet market, which was valued at USD 42.27 billion in 2025, is now projected to reach USD 73.25 billion by 2034. Another major research firm puts the figure even higher, estimating the market will touch USD 64.2 billion by 2036, growing at a rate of 13.4 percent annually over the next decade.

To put that in perspective, that is the kind of growth rate usually associated with technology sectors, not agricultural commodities. And yet here we are, talking about a grain that Indian farmers have been quietly growing for over 5,000 years.

I find that both remarkable and deeply satisfying.

What is driving numbers this large

When a market grows this fast, there is rarely a single cause. What the data shows is that several forces are moving in the same direction at the same time, which is what creates sustained growth rather than a temporary spike.

The numbers that matter most for buyers right now

If you are a food manufacturer, importer, or brand making sourcing decisions, here are the specific data points worth knowing:

• Global Production Volume: Global millet production is expected to surpass 42 million metric tons in 2026.
• Bulk Pricing Range: International bulk pricing currently ranges between USD 280 and USD 430 per metric ton depending on processing grade (Machine Cleaned vs. Sortex) and export origin.
• Pearl Millet Dominance: Pearl Millet (Bajra) alone is projected to account for 40 percent of total product type demand this year, reflecting its position as the most widely cultivated and commercially traded millet variety globally.

The packaged food segment within this broader market is growing particularly fast. The global millet-based packaged food market is projected to grow from USD 44.39 million in 2025 to USD 75.73 million by 2031, driven largely by pasta, bakery products, and ready-to-eat snacks. Millet baby foods are expanding rapidly as pediatricians and nutritionists increasingly recommend millets for infants beginning solids, particularly across Asia and Africa.

And geographically, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe are becoming increasingly important import regions, with buyers in these markets prioritizing long-term procurement agreements and sustainable sourcing partnerships.

What India's role is in all of this

India is not watching this growth from the sidelines. India exported 89,164 tonnes of millets in 2025, a figure that reflects the direct impact of policies connecting local Indian agriculture to global retail supply chains. India dominates global millet production and grows multiple varieties year-round across stable inland farming states.

The Indian government's five-year strategic plan to promote millets internationally actively involves Indian missions abroad and engagement with global retail networks including Carrefour, Walmart, and Lulu Group. The infrastructure to move Indian millets from farm to international shelf is not being built. It is already built and operating.

What this means if you are reading this as a buyer

The window between "this is an interesting emerging category" and "prices have gone up because everyone is buying it" is closing. The data shared above is not speculative. It is current market research from multiple independent sources pointing in the same direction.

Buyers who establish reliable Indian millet supply relationships now, at current pricing, with a trusted export partner, are the ones who will be best positioned as mainstream demand continues to grow through 2026 and beyond.