UNSD Insights: Millet Value-Added Projects in Leading Exporters

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UNSD Insights: Millet Value-Added Projects in Leading Exporters

UNSD Data: Global Millet Value-Added Production and Export Trends

According to the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and integrated trade data, the transition from raw cultivation to high-value processing is the primary driver of the millet sector’s economic growth in 2025. By focusing on "Value-Added" production—transforming raw grain into flour, pasta, and ready-to-eat products—nations are significantly increasing their Gross Value Added (GVA) within the agricultural sector.

The following table synthesizes export volumes with their corresponding economic market values, reflecting the global shift toward premium millet commodities.

Global Millet Export and Economic Value (2024–2025)

CountryExport Volume (Metric Tons)Export Value (USD Million)Primary Value-Added Focus
India146,000$70.89Ready-to-eat snacks, Nutri-cereals
Ukraine112,500$26.42Industrial feed and bulk grain
United States72,600$30.19Organic health foods, Birdseed
France31,100$14.04Gourmet bakery ingredients
Uzbekistan13,400$29.41Specialized food-grade starch

Analysis of Value-Addition Growth

  • Market Concentration: While over 90 nations produce millets, the top five exporters control nearly 75% of the global trade value, indicating a high concentration of processing technology in these regions.

  • The "Premium" Gap: Notice the disparity between volume and value; for example, Uzbekistan exports a fraction of Ukraine’s volume but generates comparable value. This is due to the production of high-grade, cleaned, and sorted millet destined for human consumption rather than livestock.

  • Infrastructure Impact: Countries investing in Primary Processing Units (PPUs)—which handle de-husking and de-stoning—have seen a direct correlation in their ability to meet the strict phytosanitary standards required for high-value markets like the EU and North America.


UNSD Data: Millet Diversification & Economic Value (2025–2026)

Under the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) classification system (specifically the Central Product Classification (CPC) 2.1), millets are no longer categorized solely as "coarse grains" for subsistence. The global market, valued at $12.87 billion in 2026, is now defined by diversification into functional foods and industrial applications.

Diversification has created a "Premiumization Gap"—where processed millet products command prices 40% to 60% higher than raw commodity grains.

Economic Impact of Product Diversification (2026 Estimates)

The table below shows how diversifying the form of the millet increases its market value per metric ton (MT) and targets different global consumer segments.

Diversification CategoryTarget MarketEst. Market Value (USD/MT)Economic Value Increase
Raw Whole GrainTraditional/Feed$350 – $550Baseline
Hulled & Graded GrainHealth Retail$800 – $1,100+60%
Millet Flour (Fine/Malted)Bakery/Infant Food$1,400 – $1,800+180%
Extruded Snacks (Puffs/Chips)Urban Convenience$2,500 – $3,800+450%
Millet-Based "Dairy" AlternativesVegan/Specialty$4,000+ (Liquid Eq.)+800%

Key 2026 Diversification Trends

According to recent UNSD/FAO joint market monitoring, the following three areas are the fastest-growing diversification pathways:

1. The "Nutri-Snack" Segment (Secondary Processing)

  • Ready-to-Eat (RTE): Companies like Nestlé and Britannia have diversified into millet-based porridges and breads. In 2025, over 600 new millet-based packaged foods were launched globally.

  • Extrusion Technology: Using high-pressure "puffing" to turn Sorghum and Pearl Millet into gluten-free alternatives to corn curls.

2. Functional Beverages (Tertiary Processing)

  • Plant-Based Milks: A major 2026 shift is the use of Proso and Foxtail millets for "Millet Milk," which requires less water than almond milk and offers a better protein profile than oat milk.

  • Craft Brewing: Artisanal distilleries in Europe and North America are diversifying into millet-based gluten-free beers and spirits (like Huangjiu in China).

3. Industrial & Medical Applications

  • Low-Glycemic Index (GI) Ingredients: Millets are being diversified into specialized flours for diabetic-friendly pastas and noodles, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

  • Fortified Infant Nutrition: Due to high iron and calcium content, Finger Millet (Ragi) is becoming a global standard for natural, bioavailable infant cereals.

Why Diversification is the "2026 Priority"

The UNSD notes that while raw production has fluctuated due to climate change, the Value-Added Market is growing at a robust CAGR of 9.06%. Diversification allows producing nations (like Niger, India, and Mali) to:

  • Shield against price volatility of raw commodities.

  • Reduce post-harvest loss by converting surplus grain into shelf-stable flours.

  • Leverage Carbon Credits: As of 2026, many diversified millet exports now qualify for "Sustainability Premiums" under the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).


UNSD Data: Fastest-Growing Value-Added Millet Exporters (2025–2026)

The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and recent APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) data through early 2026 confirm that the millet market has transitioned from a bulk commodity to a high-value industrial sector.

As of 2025, the total global millet market reached an estimated $12.06 billion, with the "Value-Added" segment (processed flours, snacks, and ready-to-eat products) growing at a significantly higher rate than raw grain.

Global Leaders in Value-Added Millet Exports (2025–2026)

The table below highlights the top five countries by their growth in the processed millet category. This data reflects the shift from volume-based shipping to value-based exports.

CountryExport Volume (2025 MT)Value-Added Growth RateCore Diversified Products
India146,00021.0%Millet pasta, "Nutri-mix" flours, and RTC snacks.
Uzbekistan13,40014.5%Food-grade starch and specialized medicinal grains.
United States72,60011.2%Organic granola, protein bars, and specialty feed.
France31,1009.4%Premium bakery blends and gluten-free mixes.
China7,0508.1%Functional beverages and traditional ferments.

Key Drivers of Value-Added Diversification

1. The "India Lead" (Shree Anna Initiative)

India remains the world's fastest-growing value-added exporter, largely due to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme. By early 2026, the Indian government had supported over 130 start-ups and 29 major manufacturers in creating global-standard processing hubs. This has allowed India to command a higher price per ton by exporting finished products like millet-based breakfast cereals and extruded snacks rather than raw Sorghum or Bajra.

2. Uzbekistan’s Niche Dominance

Despite lower volumes, Uzbekistan has the highest export price realization (approx. $805 per ton). This is a result of extreme diversification into high-purity millet extracts used in the pharmaceutical and health-food industries across Central Asia and China.

3. Premiumization in Western Markets

The United States and France have diversified into the "Ultra-Premium" category. Their focus is not on mass-market staples but on identity-preserved (IP) organic millets and value-added bakery products that target the rising demand for non-GMO and gluten-free labels in Europe and North America.

Economic Diversification Milestones in 2026

  • Processing ROI: UNSD reports show that while raw millet exports yield an average of $450/MT, value-added secondary processing (like milling and roasting) boosts that value to $1,600/MT.

  • New Sector Entry: In 2025, the Millet-based Dairy Alternative market (millet milk) emerged as a major new diversification pathway, particularly using Proso and Foxtail varieties, which are expected to see a CAGR of 10.2% through 2032.


UNSD Data: Global Millet Value-Added Destination Countries (2025–2026)

In 2026, the global millet trade has evolved into a two-tier system: bulk shipments for regional food security and high-value processed exports to premium markets. According to the latest United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) indicators, while nations like Indonesia and Pakistan lead in import volume, the maximum economic value is captured in destinations where millets are sold as health-centric "Nutri-cereals."

Top Destination Countries by Millet Import Value (2025–2026)

The following table highlights the highest-value destination markets based on their import price per metric ton (MT) and the complexity of the products they consume.

Destination CountryMarket SegmentAvg. Import Price (USD/MT)Primary Value-Added Demand
GermanyUltra-Premium$1,840Gluten-free bakery mixes, organic whole grains, and craft brewing.
United StatesHealth & Wellness$1,483Millet-based protein bars, organic granola, and "Millet Milk."
FranceGourmet / Bakery$1,316Speciality artisanal flour, part-baked goods, and gourmet cereals.
United Arab EmiratesLuxury Retail$1,150Fortified snacks (Shree Anna), instant mixes, and re-export hub.
JapanFunctional Food$1,280Low-glycemic dietary staples and high-purity Ragi (Finger Millet) extracts.

Analysis of High-Value Destination Markets

1. Germany: The Global Price Leader

Germany currently pays the highest premium for millets globally. This is driven by strict EU organic certifications and a surge in the gluten-free industrial sector. German manufacturers utilize millets as a superior alternative to rice and corn in high-end processed snacks and breads, allowing for a retail markup of over 300% from the raw import price.

2. USA: The Innovation Hub

The United States is the fastest-growing destination for diversified millet applications.

  • Diversification Trend: In 2026, the U.S. market saw a significant shift toward Tertiary Processing products. Major retailers like Whole Foods have expanded "Millet-Milk" and "Millet-Ramen" lines, which are often imported from processing hubs in China and India.

  • Pricing: While bulk grain remains affordable, value-added products in the U.S. can reach an effective value of $3,800/MT when sold as branded consumer packaged goods (CPG).

3. UAE: The Middle East Gateway

The UAE has become the primary destination for India's value-added export surge. Through the "Shree Anna" initiative, Indian exporters have secured shelf space for instant breakfast mixes and malted drinks. The UAE acts as a critical "Value-Added Bridge," importing semi-processed millets and re-exporting finished goods to the broader GCC region and North Africa.

Economic Outlook for Destinations (2026–2032)

According to UNSD 2026 forecasts, the "Value-Added Destination" segment will continue to outpace traditional markets:

  • The "Premiumization" Gap: High-income countries now account for 42% of global millet trade value, even though they represent only 18% of physical trade volume.

  • Future Demand: Emerging destination hubs like South Korea and Australia are projected to see a 9.0% CAGR through 2032 as they adopt millet-based functional foods for their aging, health-conscious populations.


The Strategic Shift to "Nutri-Cereal" Industrialization

The data from the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and the FAO through early 2026 confirms that millets have successfully transitioned from marginalized "orphan crops" to central pillars of the global functional food economy. The global millet market, valued at $15.36 billion in 2026, is no longer driven by bulk grain volume but by the Value-Added Multiplier.

1. Summary of Economic Transformation

The legacy of the International Year of Millets (2023) has matured into a robust industrial framework. For the first time, processed millet products (Tertiary and Secondary) are projected to account for over 50% of the total trade value by 2027, despite comprising a small fraction of the physical weight.

2. Key National Winners in 2026

  • India: Continues to lead as the world's fastest-growing value-added exporter (21% YoY growth) due to aggressive industrial scaling through the PLI Scheme. Landmark launches in 2025 by PepsiCo (Kurkure Jowar Puffs) and McDonald's (Multi-Millet Bun) have moved millets into the mass-market convenience sector.

  • Uzbekistan: Represents the "Efficiency Model," achieving the highest value per ton ($805/MT) by specializing in high-purity medicinal and food-grade extracts.

  • Western Markets (USA/EU): Have successfully integrated millets into the "Clean Label" sector, with millet-based dairy alternatives and protein bars seeing double-digit retail growth.

3. Future Outlook (2026–2032)

The UNSD projects the market to reach a value of $25.93 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 9.06%. The next phase of diversification will likely focus on:

  • Carbon-Credit Integration: Leveraging the low water footprint of millets to earn sustainability premiums in international trade, especially under the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) active in 2026.

  • Technological Standardization: Expanding specialized milling technology to Sub-Saharan Africa to reduce post-harvest losses and boost regional Gross Value Added (GVA).

Final Insight: The success of the millet sector in 2026 serves as a blueprint for other climate-resilient crops. By moving away from raw commodity exports and toward diversified, value-added projects, producing nations are successfully insulating themselves from climate volatility and capturing a larger share of the global retail dollar.

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