Gluten-free diets are not a passing fad, but have potentially lucrative new markets for the grains industry, provided growers can meet demand for quality and consistent supply.

Recent research from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) has investigated the market for a range of gluten-free ‘health grains’—amaranth, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, sesame, sorghum and teff—and found that there is potential for new industry to cater for this demand.

Gluten-free diets are increasingly being adopted by sufferers of coeliac disease –  an under-diagnosed life-long disease affecting over 250,000 Australians.
Coeliac disease is characterised by an inability to digest gluten. People with the disease who eat products containing gluten can experience adverse reactions ranging from mild discomfort to serious long-term complications, sometimes bordering on life threatening.

Growers and suppliers of ‘health grains’ and value-added health-grain products could supply a potential Australian market of about a million consumers. This market includes those who suffer from coeliac disease and other forms of gluten intolerance, as well as those who choose gluten-free products as health foods. This market currently relies largely on imports.

The researchers interviewed about 50 producers of health grains, primary processors (such as millers), food manufacturers and retailers, and stakeholders along the supply chain in the United States, Canada, France, Switzerland, England, Ireland and Wales, to identify trends in the market, and lessons for Australian industry participants.

Following the trend in overseas markets, demand for gluten-free products is expected to grow in Australia. The market for value-added products based on these grains has shown particular growth overseas, and Australia is expected to follow this trend too.
Australian food manufacturers interviewed as part of the project preferred to import amaranth, quinoa and even buckwheat, stating that imports gave greater consistency in supply and quality.

Sorghum and maize are both grown extensively, although almost exclusively for animal feed.

“If Australian producers of these crops can demonstrate consistent high quality and reliable supply, they are in a position to benefit from the growing market for health grains,” said RIRDC New Industries Research Manager John Oakeshott.

The report Gluten-free Grains: A demand-and-supply analysis of prospects for the Australian health grains industry (Pub No 05/011) is available from RIRDC – call 02 6272 4819 or visit www.rirdc.gov.au

The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation is a partnership between the Australian Government and industry to fund and manage priority research across three key areas – new rural industries, selected established industries, and national rural issues. Through innovation our industries are continuously growing more productive.

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Media enquiries:  John Oakeshott -  02 6272 4819 / 0417 750 481