RICE FLOUR MARKET OVERVIEW IN AFRICA

Middle-East and Africa Rice Flour Market was worth USD 0.58 billion in 2018 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 3.5%, to reach USD 0.69 billion by 2023. Rice flour is the flour made from finely milled rice. It is good substitute for wheat flour which causes problems in the digestive systems of those who are gluten intolerance. Rice flour is different from rice starch, which is usually produced by steeping rice in lye. Rice flour may be made from either white rice or brown rice. For the making of flour, the husk of rice or paddy is removed and raw rice is obtained, which is then milled to flour.

Rice flour can be used as thickening agent in recipes that are refrigerated or frozen since it inhibits liquid separation. Rice has been a staple food source around the world for centuries, especially in eastern cultures. Rice flour also called rice powder, is used to make fresh rice noodles and sweets. It is also used to thicken coconut milk to a rich, smooth and creamy consistency. Rice flour is being used in snacks, bakery, cereals, crackers, chips and coating applications to provide different textures. The rice flour is easily available in most Asian markets.

Rising consumption of rice flour, increasing disposable income, changing life style and shift in the taste preferences of consumers, growing Middle-East and Africa population, increase in consumer awareness about bakery products, rising people awareness, increasing demand for flour that is high in protein and rise of the fast food industry are driving the growth of the Middle-East and Africa rice flour market. However, limited number of professionals for milling and high cost transport facilities are hindering the growth of the market.

The Middle-East and Africa rice flour market is segmented on the basis of product type, application and region. On the basis of product type, the market is segmented into rice flour, brown rice flour, glutinous rice flour, others. Rice flour has the largest market due to rice in its usage in bakery and sweets. Application segment can be categorized into rice noodle and rice pasta, sweets and desserts, snacks, bakery and bread products, thickening agent, animal feed including pet food, non-food applications and others. Non-food applications consists of bio materials, glue and bio plastics. Other application segments include baby food and roux. Bakery and bread products are fastest growing application in the market. The market has been geographically segmented into Middle East and Africa. The private sector plays a key role in bankrolling the healthcare sector in Africa, with more than 50% of the investment being undertaken by them. The market is growing slowly because of many problems the region faces, in terms of battles and also, the unstable economy. However, countries like the USA, China and UK are investing in the region and this increased financial revenue will aid the food sectors in this region.

Key players dominating the Middle-East and Africa rice flour market are Burapa Prosper, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Thai Flour Industry, Ardent Mills Canada, Rose Brand, ConAgra Foods, Inc., Koda Farms, Associated British Foods plc, Lieng Tong, General Mills Inc., and Pornkamon Rice Flour Mills.