Market Trends of Banana Flour Industry
Rise in demand of gluten free products
- The increasing obese population drives an increase in the demand for gluten-free products. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) states that about 6% of the US population is gluten intolerant. It's more common than celiac disease, which affects about 1% of the population. The use of whole green banana flour is up to 30% in substitution for wheat flour, significantly increasing the total dietary fiber content in bread. Consumers in generation Z and millennials are the most likely demographic to be following gluten-free nutrition rules.
- The shift in consumer preference for healthy and nutritious food products with additional medicinal benefits, such as antioxidants found in bananas that improve cellular health and lower damaging free radicals, is a key factor driving market revenue growth. In addition, food products made with bananas are gluten-free, which is becoming popular among health-conscious consumers and is another factor driving market revenue growth.
- The production of bananas increased, and the top five countries producing are India, China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Ecuador.
- Technology trends, including product innovations, make gluten-free products more palatable. There is an increase in the availability of gluten-free products owing to the increase in celiac disease patients. In addition, nutritional researchers and dietitians have discovered that banana flour (green variety) is a very good and useful source of resistant starch. Resistant starch refers to starch that does not break down in the small intestine and instead reaches the large intestine, in which it serves as fermentable dietary fiber. The impact of these drivers is expected to increase the demand for banana flour.
Asia Pacific Projected to be the largest Market
- Asia-Pacific banana flour markets are significantly supporting the growth of the global market. The region is considered to be among the major producer of bananas, which is projected to support the growth of the banana flour industry. Within the Asia-Pacific region, some of the leading consumer markets include India and Australia. Bananas are Australia's largest horticultural industry and highest-selling supermarket product.
- The Asia-Pacific, especially India, witnesses a large production volume of bananas every year, leading to the growth of the banana flour industry in the region. India is the top country for banana production in the world. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as of 2021, bananas production in India was 33.1 million tonnes, accounting for 26.40% of the world's banana production. This factor plays a key role in augmenting the regional market's growth.
- In addition, there is a surge in demand for banana flour as the product is abundantly used to make infant food. The product is widely consumed in the region due to its rising use in bakery products like pastries, cakes, and others. Due to the rising trend and requirement for fitness among the regional countries, the demand for healthy products, such as banana flour, has bolstered. All these factors play a key role in augmenting the regional market's growth.