The current global market of gluten free foods account for $3.73 billion, and that amount is expected to grow over the next five years, potentially reaching $6.43 billion, according to Statista. Other reports estimate that the amount could reach $8.1 billion by 2023.
Eating foods that don't contain gluten is a necessity for individuals with celiac disease, an immune disease which doesn't allow gluten to be digested properly. On average, 1 in 133 people suffer from the disease. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.
Because wheat is so widespread and foundational in the food world, the gluten free market includes foods such as pizza, pasta, cereal, snacks, condiments, and desserts.
For non-celiacs who don't eat gluten, the choice is one more of lifestyle than necessity. Going gluten free can be a popular diet choice, and many do find benefits to their health when they eliminate gluten. Based on a 2017 survey, 31% of gluten free bread consumers choose not to eat gluten for lifestyle reasons, not celiac disease.
Whole Foods Market
A few other leading companies in the gluten free sphere are Kraft Heinz Company
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/248467/global-gluten-free-food-market-size/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/gluten-free-food-market-to-reach-usd-81-billion-by-the-end-of-2023-2019-09-02
- https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/23/top-food-trends-for-2020-according-to-whole-foods.html
- https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/top-10-food-trends-2020
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-gluten-free-food-market-report-2018-2023-featuring-kraft-heinz-company-conagra-brands-general-mills-kellogg-company-dr-schar-hain-celestial-group-and-doves-farm-300964746.html
- https://celiac.org/gluten-free-living/what-is-gluten/