Chia Seed Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

Market Overview

The chia seed market is projected to register a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period (2022-2027).

Chia seeds are among the majorly exported commodities as the production of the commodity is limited to a few geographies. Hence, the initial COVID-19 lockdown caused disruptions in the logistics system, which affected the supply of the commodity across the world. This led to a decline in the market during the first half of 2020. However, the pandemic has increased the health consciousness among consumers, which has opened an opportunity for superfoods, including chia seeds. This factor is anticipated to propel the market during the forecast period. Chia seeds do not follow the commoditization trend, as the market is still small. However, as more consumers are now aware of chia seeds and their benefits, the market is likely to witness tremendous growth in the near future globally. The United States and Australia continue to be the countries with the highest demand for chia seeds and other chia-based products, but there are markets, such as the United Kingdom, Brazil, Chile, and Spain, that have shown a substantial increase in their demand.

Over the long term, the increasing demand for ancient nutritional grains and multi-cereal-based products like functional foods are driving the demand for chia seeds. Chia seeds are gluten-free and have high protein content. The gluten-free property of chia seeds is expected to create a strong demand among consumers suffering from gluten intolerance (celiac disease) or those who simply avoid gluten because of their lifestyle choices.

Scope of the Report

Chia seeds are derived from the desert plant Salvia Hispanica, which is a member of the mint family. Salvia Hispanica seed is often sold under its common name “chia”. Chia is a native of Guatemala and can easily be produced in the long, dry climate of South American countries, like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru, among others. The chia seed market is segmented by geography (North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, and Middle-East and Africa). The report also provides production analysis (volume), consumption analysis (value and volume), export analysis (value and volume), import analysis (value and volume), and price trend analysis. For each segment, the market sizing and forecast have been done on the basis of volume (thousand metric ton ) and value (USD thousand).

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Key Market Trends

Growing Popularity of Superfoods

The popularity of “super” ingredients has increased significantly over the recent past, with product launches, as consumers are more inclined toward natural and wholesome ingredients. These products have high nutritional and functional value, and their chemical composition is rich in PUFAs, mainly ω-3, as well as protein, dietary fiber, and bioactive compounds. The market is driven by consumer preference toward functional and health-based naturally derived products. Chia seeds are readily available in grocery stores because they have a high demand around the world. A key factor for the sale of “superfoods”, including chia seeds, is the availability and accessibility of supermarkets, compared to traditional grocery stores and convenience stores.

Superfoods in Europe are considered an important health supplement, which enables growth in the market. In the region, chia has not only found its entrance in the health shops and specialty stores but also in major supermarkets, such as Tesco (United Kingdom), El Corte Ingles (Spain), and Albert Heijn (Netherlands). It is also sold as a food supplement in drug stores. It reflects a growing interest of the main public in healthy food and ‘superfoods’. Additionally, in recent years, the usage of chia seeds has tremendously grown in the food industry due to their high nutritional and medicinal values. Chia seeds can be used in different shapes, whole, ground, and in the form of flour, oil, and gel. All these factors are expected to contribute to the growth of the market.

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