Beta Glucan Market

Market Definition

Beta-glucan, a soluble fiber found in oats, barley, and certain mushrooms, supports heart health, lowers cholesterol, boosts immunity, and aids weight management. With potential anti-cancer properties, it is widely used in food products and supplements for its extensive health benefits, making it a key ingredient in the wellness industry.

Beta Glucan Market Overview

The global beta glucan market size was valued at USD 534.0 million in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 559.6 million in 2024 to USD 813.6 million by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.49% during the forecast period. The increasing demand for functional foods, dietary supplements, and nutraceuticals, along with rising consumer awareness of preventive healthcare, is driving market growth.

Major companies operating in the beta glucan industry are Cargill, Incorporated, Ceapro Inc., Super Beta Glucan, DSM-Firmenich AG, Tate & Lyle PLC, Kemin Industries, Inc., Lesaffre, Garuda International, Inc., Kerry Group plc, Zilor, GlycaNova AS, Merck KGaA, Leiber GmbH, Lallemand Inc., and VW-Ingredients

The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly leveraging beta-glucan for its immune-boosting properties, leading to rising research and development efforts to enhance its efficacy in drug formulations. Moreover, the food and beverage sector is experiencing surging demand for functional foods enriched with beta-glucan, as health-conscious consumers seek nutritious alternatives.

• For instance, in February 2024, Lantmännen Biorefineries launched gluten-free and organic PromOat oat beta-glucan, meeting the rising demand for clean-label, functional ingredients. Suitable for food and beverage applications, this innovation strengthens its position in the functional food and nutraceutical markets.

Key Highlights:

1. The beta glucan industry size was recorded at USD 534.0 million in 2023.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.49% from 2024 to 2031.
3. North America held a share of 38.12% in 2023, valued at USD 203.6 million.
4. The functional foods & beverages segment garnered USD 245.1 million in revenue in 2023.
5. The oats segment is expected to reach USD 334.5 million by 2031.
6. The powder segment is estimated to generate a revenue of USD 395.6 million by 2031.
7. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.37% over the forecast period.

Market Driver

“Rising Consumer Demand for Functional Foods”

The increasing consumer preference for functional foods and nutraceuticals is fueling the growth of the beta glucan market. As awareness of preventive healthcare grows, individuals are actively seeking food products that provide additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

Beta-glucan, known for its cholesterol-lowering, immune-boosting, and weight-management properties, is gaining traction as a functional ingredient in dietary supplements, fortified foods, and beverages.

The growing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders and diabetes, further accelerates demand for beta-glucan-based products, particularly in aging populations and health-conscious consumers.

• In December 2024, Witsbb introduced its new Elderberry Yeast & Glucan Drink, targeting immune health for sensitive children. This innovation highlights the growing demand for beta-glucan-enriched functional beverages, highlighting the shift toward natural, science-backed nutrition solutions in the health and wellness industry.

Market Challenge

“High Production Costs”

A major challenge impeding the expansion of the beta-glucan market is the high production cost associated with extraction and purification. Beta-glucan, sourced from oats, barley, yeast, and mushrooms, requires complex and costly extraction processes to ensure high purity and efficacy. 

To mitigate these challenges, companies can invest in research and development to enhance cost-effective extraction methods, such as enzymatic or biotechnological processes, which improve yield and efficiency.

Market Trend

“Increasing Applications in Personal Care and Cosmetics”

The growing demand for natural, functional ingredients in skincare is emerging as a notable trend in the beta glucan market, particularly in personal care and cosmetics.

Consumers are increasingly seeking skincare products that offer hydration, anti-aging benefits, and skin barrier protection, positioning beta-glucan as a preferred ingredient in moisturizers, serums, and anti-aging formulations. Its proven ability to enhance collagen synthesis, reduce inflammation, and support sensitive skin enhances its appeal in dermatological solutions.

Beta Glucan Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Application	Functional Foods & Beverages, Dietary Supplements, Pharmaceuticals, Animal Feed, Others
By Source	Oats, Barley, Yeast, Mushrooms, Others
By Form	Powder, Liquid, Capsules/Tablets, Granules
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, U.K., Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By Application (Functional Foods & Beverages, Dietary Supplements, Pharmaceuticals, Animal Feed, and Others): The functional Foods & beverages segment earned USD 245.1 million in 2023 due to growing consumer preference for health-enhancing products, increasing awareness of beta-glucan’s benefits in cholesterol reduction and immune support, and rising demand for natural and clean-label ingredients in food and beverage formulations.
• By Source (Oats, Barley, Yeast, and Mushrooms): The oats segment held a share of 46.89% in 2023, mainly attributed to its high beta-glucan concentration, widespread availability, and strong consumer confidence in its heart-health benefits and functional properties.
• By Form (Powder, Liquid, Capsules/Tablets,and Granules): The powder segment is projected to reach USD 395.6 million by 2031, fueled by the ease of incorporation into various food, beverage, and supplement formulations, longer shelf life, and growing preference among manufacturers for its versatility in product development.

Beta Glucan Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.

North America beta glucan market held a share of around 38.12% in 2023, valued at USD 203.6 million. This dominance is reinforced by high consumer awareness of functional foods, increasing adoption of dietary supplements, and strong demand for beta-glucan-enriched products in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

The presence of key market players, supportive regulatory frameworks, and a growing focus on preventive healthcare further contribute to this dominance. Additionally, ongoing research and innovation, expanding applications in the food and beverage industry, and rising health-conscious consumers fuel regional market growth.

Asia-Pacific beta glucan industry is likely to grow at a CAGR of 6.37% over the forecast period. This growth is propelled by rising health consciousness, increasing disposable income, and expanding applications of beta-glucan in functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products.

The growing demand for plant-based and natural ingredients in emerging economies such as China, India, and Japan is further contributing to regional market growth. Additionally, government initiatives promoting health and wellness, along with advancements in biotechnology and food processing, are strengthening the region’s position.

Regulatory Framework

• In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates beta-glucan in food, dietary supplements, and pharmaceuticals under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). It ensures safety, approves health claims, and grants GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status for certain sources such as oats and barley, overseeing compliance in product formulation and labeling.
• In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) monitors beta-glucan in food and supplements by approving health claims and setting intake guidelines. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) oversees its use in pharmaceuticals, assessing clinical data for therapeutic claims to ensure safety and compliance.
• In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) governs the use of beta-glucan in food and dietary supplements. It ensures compliance with safety, labeling, and health claims related to beta-glucan-enriched products.

Competitive Landscape

The global beta glucan market is characterized by a large number of participants, including both established corporations and emerging players. These companies are actively investing in innovation and research to enhance product efficacy and expand their market presence in a rapidly growing industry.

With applications across functional foods, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, and personal care, companies are continuously developing advanced formulations to cater to sector-specific demands.

As the market experiences significant growth, businesses are focusing on regional expansion, adapting their offerings to meet local regulatory standards and consumer preferences, while simultaneously scaling operations to capitalize on emerging opportunities in global markets.

• In December 2024, COSCIENS Biopharma Inc. announced the successful development of its Oat Beta Glucan (OBG) Chewable Bar, formulated to support cholesterol reduction, cardiovascular health, and digestive wellness.

List of Key Companies in Beta Glucan Market:

• Cargill, Incorporated
• Ceapro Inc.
• Super Beta Glucan
• DSM-Firmenich AG
• Tate & Lyle PLC
• Kemin Industries, Inc.
• Lesaffre
• Garuda International, Inc. 
• Kerry Group plc
• Zilor
• GlycaNova AS
• Merck KGaA
• Leiber GmbH
• Lallemand Inc.
• VW-Ingredients

Recent Developments (New Product Launch)

• In July 2023, BENEO announced the expansion of its fiber portfolio with barley beta-glucans at IFT 2023, strengthening its position in the functional ingredients market. This strategic move aligns with the growing demand for heart-healthy and immune-boosting solutions