The Central America pregelatinized flour market is anticipated to grow from US$ 180.47 million in 2023 to US$ 256.06 million by 2031; it is expected to register a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2031.
The Central America pregelatinized flour market is poised for substantial growth, driven by growth in food and beverages industry and numerous applications of pregelatinized flour in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals industries. The growing population of Central America is increasing the demand for food and beverages. According to the United Nations, the world population is projected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030. There has been a substantial increase in demand for ready-to-eat or convenience food and beverage products due to increasingly busy lifestyles and a rise in the working population in developing countries such as Mexico and Guatemala. These factors are driving the demand for convenience food or ready-to-eat foods and beverages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Survey, in Mexico, the average annual expenditure of consumers on food accounted for approximately US$ 1,700 in 2023. With the growing requirement for different food products, the food & beverages industry has also witnessed significant demand for clean-label ingredients such as pregelatinized flour. Pregelatinized flour, primarily sourced from maize, rice, potato, and cassava, has been extensively used by the food industry. Pregelatinized flour is one of the major ingredients used in confectioneries, bakery products, dairy products, alcoholic beverages, fruit drinks, savory snacks, and processed meat products, among others. It is used as an additive for thickening, preservation, and quality enhancer in baked food products, confectioneries, canned jams, juices, soups, pasta, sauces, and mayonnaise. In the given formulations, pregelatinized flour serves as a binder, thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent.
Pregelatinized flour is increasingly utilized in various end-use industries such as food & beverages, animal nutrition, pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, etc. In the food & beverages industry, it is used in baking and baby food, breakfast solutions, and other processed foods. This versatility allows it to cater to various consumer preferences and dietary needs. There is a growing shift toward convenience foods in Central America, driven by busy lifestyles and the need for quick meal solutions. To fulfill this demand for convenience foods, pregelatinized flour is preferred, which requires less cooking time and simplifies food preparation. Also, the bakery industry is expanding, with rising consumer interest in baked goods such as bread, pastries, and snacks. Pregelatinized flour enhances the texture and quality of these products, making it a preferred ingredient among bakers in Central America. In addition, the increasing awareness about the consumption of gluten-free products is further expected to boost the demand for pregelatinized rice flour in the coming years.
Some of the key players operating in the Central America pregelatinized flour market are Cargill Inc, Roquette Freres SA, Agrana Beteiligungs AG, Ingredion Inc, Tate & Lyle Plc, KMC Amba, Associated British Foods Plc, Codrico Rotterdam BV, Les Moulins de Soulanges, and SMS Group. Players operating in the market are highly focused on developing high-quality and innovative product offerings to fulfill customers' requirements.
The overall Central America pregelatinized flour market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. Exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the Central America pregelatinized flour market. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants to validate the data and gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts, such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers—along with external consultants, such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders—specializing in the Central America pregelatinized flour market.