Roasted Corn Market

The roasted corn market registered a valuation of around USD 2.46 billion in 2022 and is poised to witness much more growth in the coming years.

Market Overview

Roasted corn is commonly sourced through roasting. Corn is one of the many grains consumed worldwide and, in its natural form, can provide multiple vitamins, fiber, and minerals to the human body. It is also popularly known as an antioxidant.

Corn that has been subjected to the roasting process results in a product that is high in starch. This increases its demand for the production of corn starch. Moreover, certain other processed snacks and foods use corn as a key ingredient for flavor and fiber.

The roasted corn market is expected to grow at a 6.20% CAGR between 2023 and 2028, reaching 3.52 billion by 2028. This is due to certain market trends that have increased its popularity. The trends include the preference for more vegan products around the world, along with instant meals and snacks.

Moreover, as we make our way out of the pandemic, we experience a rise in purchasing power and living standards. This encourages consumers to eat healthier, incorporate more multigrain options in their diet, and shift to gluten-free products. Roasted corn is much more preferred when compared to popped corn as it is thought to be healthier.

Key Findings

• Roasted corn continues to rise in popularity due to increased demand from bakery owners and consumers looking to add healthier snacks to their diets. Roasted corn is also getting much more popular as an alternative to different kinds of grains due to the need to avoid allergies or an inclination towards a multigrain diet.
• The opportunities for roasted corn push it towards more unique uses, such as an addition to animal feed to increase livestock health and an inclination toward healthier snacks.
• The expansion of the roasted corn market could face challenges due to availability, as corn is only grown in one season. Moreover, hygiene and cross-contamination issues could also threaten its popularity. Roasted corn is also harder to find and less popular than other more convenient snacks, so many people may not spot it on the shelf.
• Roasted corn is consumed worldwide in many different forms and occasions, leading to an even greater rise in popularity.
• This also means that many companies worldwide are investing in research and finding unique ways to incorporate roasted corn in different markets.
• Further research is required for roasted corn to not just get to the shelves of convenience stores but also be the first choice for consumers.

Market Drivers

An Increase in Demand from Bakery Producers

Over the course of the past decade, roasted corn has been increasing in popularity among bakery owners. This may be driven by an increase in preference for corn amongst their consumers due to the unique and appealing flavor and texture of corn.

Regardless, as health-conscious consumers flock to bakeries for more roasted corn items, bakers demand more roasted corn. This has led to a boom in the popularity of roasted corn and its market in the past few years.

The Increase in Demand from Consumers

Apart from the users of roasted corn as a raw material for further production, many users prefer feasting on snacks with roasted corn as the main ingredient. Following the pandemic, more and more people are looking to opt for a healthier lifestyle free of MSGs.

With roasted corn, they can get a snack that is both delicious and nutritious. Roasted corn is also easy to use in popular snacks and doesn’t alter the flavor. This allows manufacturers to meet consumer demand accordingly.

The Demand for Grain Alternatives

Finding alternatives to wheat has become increasingly important for most consumers as many of them switch to a gluten-free lifestyle. Moreover, some consumers may also be on the lookout for multigrain products that add greater nutrition to their everyday meals.

Roasted corn cereals or other products allow them to prioritize their health by avoiding heart disease, obesity, and bad cholesterol. This continues to boost the roasted corn market and increase its popularity in the coming decade.

Market Opportunities

The Benefits of Roasted Corn in Animal Feed

Roasted corn is commonly used in animal feed. In fact, for many years, corn has been used in its raw form to provide nutrition to animals. The demand for healthy products, including meat and dairy, has led many producers to increase the quality of animal feed.

This includes adding roasted corn to their feed. Roasted corn can add necessary fiber to their digestive system and remove unhealthy fat. The healthier the animal, the healthier the meat and dairy that is procured from it. This can also reduce the chance of disease once meat or dairy is added to the market for human consumption.

The Demand for Healthier Snacks

Although this decade witnesses many more people preferring the fast-paced life and not having time for a proper meal, it also includes increased demand for healthier snacks. This is so people can eat on the go and still be healthy.

In some cases, roasted corn can be processed and used as an artificial sweetener for people who prefer to cut back on sugar. It can also be used to produce Xantham gum which can thicken and bind certain foods without the need for gluten.

Market Challenges

Availability

One of the biggest hurdles to the growth of the roasted corn market and the usage of roasted corn is its seasonal availability. Corn is only planted from April to June and harvested from October to November. This means producers aren’t able to find corn all year round. This can lead to increased prices due to a decreased supply.

Hygiene

Roasted corn production is often criticized for the lack of hygiene commonly experienced in processing factories. This requires stricter quality control regulations and implementations. Moreover, this quality control should also extend to transportation, as contamination during transportation is also possible.

Reach

Roasted corn may be a great alternative to other grains and snacks in the market. However, due to great competition from fast food chains and convenient snack options, roasted corn may be left on the shelves. Often, consumers may not know about the health benefits of roasted corn as an alternative.

Regional Coverage

North America

• United States
• Canada
• Mexico

Latin America

• Mexico
• Peru

Africa

• Nigeria
• Ghana
• Kenya
• South Africa

Caribbean

• Jamaica
• Trinidad
• Tobago
• Barbados

Southeast Asia

• Thailand
• Vietnam

Middle East

• Egypt
• Lebanon
• Jordan

Corn is consumed in different ways around the world. For some, corn is a way to celebrate. For example, corn is usually consumed in North America at fairs or festivals. However, in Latin America, corn is much more popular as street food. The same is true in Thailand, where roasted corn is sold as khao pod ping! The expansion of roasted corn all around the world and the difference in consumption provide a boost to the popularity of this healthy grain.

Company Recent Development

• Grau Nuts – Productos Grau SA
• Foodlink
• Fresh Nuts GmbH
• The Naked Nut Growers
• Laxcorn
• AIM Biscuits (PT Aneka Indomakmur)
• American Nut Company
• Go Craize
• Others

This report highlights the marker for roasted corn, mentioning key players that have influenced the market over the years through mergers, acquisitions, and investments. From Foodlink, which began in 1991 and revolutionized bulk packaging of roasted corn-based snacks, to the American Nut Company, which developed packaging for customers, roasted corn has traveled a long way. Today many different competitors in the market are developing roasted corn and processing it in ways that increase its usability in fertilizers, sweeteners, colorants, and more.

This has been made possible through the rise in demand for instant snacks and products and a parallel interest in health. The market for roasted corn continues to rise and may overpower others in the future. This requires production companies to get creative and for researchers to invest in the usability of corn for many other industries. Moreover, awareness campaigns highlighting corn's nutritious value can make it more prominent on the shelves of markets worldwide.