CHIA SEEDS MARKET ANALYSIS

Chia is an edible seed of  the plant Salvia hispanica, a flowering plant found in Latin America. Latin America is considered as one of the main suppliers, as the region accounted for over 80% of global chia seeds supply in 2021. Chia seeds are preferred for massive amount of nutrients with very high calories. The seeds mainly consists of fibers, protein, fats, calcium, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorous with traces of zinc, vitamin B1, B2, B3, and potassium. The seeds improve metabolic health and reduce risk of heart diseases & type 2 diabetes. The seeds prevent premature skin aging, bone & muscle strength improvement and prevention of free radicals within body cells. Such health benefits are propelling demand for chia seeds in the food, beverage, personal care, and nutraceuticals industries.  

The Chia Seeds market was valued at US$ 691.7 Million in 2021 in terms of revenue, exhibiting a CAGR of 28.0% during the forecast period (2022 to 2030).

Drivers

Increasing demand for chia seeds in dietary supplements & protein bars and natural food ingredients in food & beverage industry, preference of organic & gluten free vegan diet fuelled by growing awareness about chia seeds especially among professional athletes are some of the factors driving growth of the global chia seeds market. Moreover, preference of non-Genetically Modifies Organisms (GMO) chia seeds for cultivation is an immense opportunity for raw material suppliers and distributors to invest in chia seeds market. However, stringent regulations imposed on use of food & personal care ingredients by regional government authorities such as USFDA, EFSA and less awareness about importance of chia seeds in developing economies are major challenges for growth of the chia seeds market.

Among regions, Europe is expected to show significant growth in global chia seeds market throughout the forecast period. In Europe, Germany and Netherlands are the most lucrative markets for chia seeds. According to Eurostat data, in 2021Germany accounted for over 40% of total imports of chia seeds in Europe. Moreover, increasing popularity of chia seeds as a super food due to its nutritional contents, is playing important role for market growth in Europe.

Figure 1. Global Chia Seeds Market Value Share (%), By Region, 2021

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Market Restraints

Lack of universal directives pertaining to applications of chia seeds is expected to restrain market growth during forecast period. Every country has different directives pertaining to use & applications of chia seeds. Key players find it difficult to cope with such country wise regulations, which in turn is discouraging investment in the chia seeds industry, thereby restraining market growth.  

Market Trends

Increasing disposable income of people is propelling growth of food & beverages industry in emerging economies and in various sub regions such as China, India, South Africa, Indonesia, Brazil, ASEAN etc. Thus, expanding food & beverages industry is expected to boost demand for chia seeds, which in turn is expected to boost growth of market.

Figure 2. Global Chia Seeds Market Value Share (%), By End Use Industry, 2021

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Among end use industries, food & beverages segment held highest revenue share of 55.4% in the global chia seeds market, in 2021 and the segment is projected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. In food & beverage industry, chia seeds are preferred in the preparation of breakfast cereals, protein bars, ready-to-eat meals, snacks, energy drinks, bakery, and various other products.

Global Chia Seeds Market - Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Market was negatively impacted by the effect of COVID-19 pandemic. Major manufactures such as Navitas Organics, Benexia, Garden of Life, Nutiva Inc., Mamma Chia, Salba Smart Natural Products, and The Chia Co, Spectrum Organics Products LLC. operating in market had their manufacturing & supply chain centres across the globe. These players had halted the production of chia seeds in first and second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic due to lowered demand, lockdown measures, supply chain bottlenecks, and to ensure safety of their employees.

Recent Developments

• In October 2021, Benexia launched encapsulated oil as a move to derive added value from chia seeds. Chilean firm Benexia has become a supplier of chia-based ingredients as opposed to being purely a purveyor of the seed itself. Benexia Company, based in Santiago, has for years marketed and processed chia grown in Bolivia and elsewhere. The latest ingredient to arise from this process is called Benexia ALA Powder. The encapsulated, water-soluble ingredient is 25% alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) by weight.
• In June 2021, The Benexia Company used its proprietary chia ingredients to expand its Consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand, Seeds of Wellness, through, this expansion Benexia had enhanced their product portfolio.
• In 2021, The Chia Co. had launched three new flavors including Dark Cacao, Strawberry, and Coffee Bean to its Chia Pods products, and four new varieties including Apple Spice, Mixed Berry, Blueberry Lemon and Banana Mango to its Oats and Chia product line.

Competitive Section

Major players operating in the global chia seeds market include Glanbia Nutritionals, Navitas Organics, Benexia, Garden of Life, Nutiva Inc., Mamma Chia, Salba Smart Natural Products, The Chia Co, and Spectrum Organics Products LLC.