Grain Milling Industry Profile

Companies in this industry mill flour and rice, produce malt from grains (primarily barley), and mix prepared flour mixes and dough. Major companies include Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, ConAgra, General Mills, and Riceland Foods (all based in the US), as well as China Agri-Industries (China), GrainCorp (Australia), Nisshin Seifun Group (Japan), and Wilmar International (Singapore).

Demand for grain milling services is driven by the global production of wheat, rice, and other cereal crops. The new forecast for global grain production for 2024 and 2025 has been raised by about 1.2 billion tons and about 800 million tons, respectively, according to the International Grains Council. Demand for milled grains is expected to grow in developing countries, where populations are rising rapidly.

The US grain milling industry includes about 460 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $16 billion.

Wet corn milling, soybean processing, and vegetable oil refining are covered in the Edible Oils Manufacturing profile. Breakfast Cereal Manufacturing is also a separate industry profile.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by population growth and consumer patterns in bread, whole grains, and rice consumption. The profitability of individual companies depends on managing grain prices and inventory effectively, and minimizing the risk of rodents, insects, and molds. Large companies have advantages in advanced milling technology and a diversified product line. Small operations can compete effectively by specializing in organic, non-genetically ...