Report Overview

UK Gluten-Free Products Market is growing rapidly due to the increasing prevalence of celiac disease and other food allergies, also the health benefits associated with consuming gluten-free products increasing demand between millennials. In addition to that growing prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), that will be driving the market growth in forecast period.

UK Gluten-Free Products Market - Industry Trends & Forecast Report 2028

UK Gluten-Free Products Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period (2022-2028). The market for gluten-free products is driven by the increasing prevalence of celiac disease and the increasing shift of the population to a healthier diet. Gluten is a protein primarily found in wheat, barley, rye, and triticale (hybrid). Its main purpose is to give elasticity to the dough, which gives it an extra chewy texture and is used to make a variety of products by maintaining the shape of the product. Though it can cause a variety of health problems and it is not suitable for all consumers. As a result, people face gluten intolerance and other gluten-related health problems. Companies nowadays manufacture and market a wide range of gluten-free products around the world, seeing positive demand from consumers around the world.

Gluten-Free Products - Overview

Today, a gluten-free diet is very popular among celiac disease patients. Labeled as gluten-restricted, this diet is an effective treatment for gluten-related disorders such as celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in gluten-free products. Numerous flours and starches, gums, enzymes, soya proteins, and other ingredients are used to mimic the viscoelastic properties of gluten and help improve the texture, mouthfeel, acceptability, and shelf life of gluten-free products.

UK Gluten-Free Products Market Forecast and Trends

Growth Drivers

Evolving eating habits toward Dietary Food

Eating habits throughout the Western world are evolving. One of the main reasons food and beverage consumption is changing is that consumers are becoming more health conscious. According to a survey from Public Health England in Jan 2021, 8 in 10 adults aged over 18 years have decided to modify their lifestyle 2021, with 7 in 10 adults saying that they are motivated to make healthier lifestyle changes due to coronavirus. This is evident in the UK, where one of the main reasons for the popularity of diet foods is consumers' desire for a healthier lifestyle.

The UK has an extensive network of internet facilities and a well-resourced population active on social media, so the medium for disseminating information is powerful. In addition, other types of advertising, such as billboards and television advertising, are also gaining a lot of attention from local consumers. Concerned about their health, citizens often go to doctors who recommend a gluten-free diet if they have allergies. Due to various methods of raising awareness, gluten-free diet foods and beverages are gaining popularity in the country, driving the market significantly. Consumers are consuming gluten-free products to prevent undesirable symptoms such as gastrointestinal disturbances (bloating, abdominal cramps, and fatigue/tiredness) out of a general desire to stay healthy; these all combined, helping boost the UK Gluten-Free Products Market.

Restraints

High risk for Cross-contamination accompanied by high prices of the products

One of the biggest challenges to the growth of the UK gluten-free food market is cross-contamination when gluten-free foods come in contact with non-gluten-free foods. For example, using the same toaster for gluten-free wheat bread and gluten-containing bread will result in cross-contamination. Even small amounts of cross-contamination can cause side effects such as diarrhea, indigestion, and vomiting in people with celiac disease. There is a high risk of cross-contamination in restaurants. One reason for this is the lack of awareness and knowledge of gluten intolerance and celiac disease among waiters and chefs, which has reduced many restaurants with gluten-free options. Another obstacle to the growth of the gluten-free market is the high price of gluten-free products such as bread, cookies, and pasta. This is mainly due to the complex manufacturing techniques of these foods. Such factors are expected to limit the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Impact of COVID-19 on UK Gluten-Free Products Market

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have a negative impact on the market. Constraints in supply chain activities prevent manufacturers from sourcing raw materials and producing products to meet demand. Additionally, government initiatives such as lockdowns have forced production facilities to shut down as labor is limited. Companies face challenges in importing and exporting finished products due to limited international trading activities. All these factors have a cumulative effect on the entire supply chain, thereby adversely affecting the market. However, post-pandemic, consumers increasingly prefer gluten-free foods, indicating that consumer lifestyles are shifting to healthier diets, so the gluten-free product market is expected to have a bright growth trend.

UK Gluten-Free Products Market - By Product Type

Based on product type, the UK Gluten-Free Products Market is bifurcated into seven sub-segments: Bakery, Confectionary, Beverages, Condiments, Seasonings, Dairy Products, Meat, and Substitutes. The baked goods segment is expected to account for the largest share of the overall gluten-free products market in 2021. The large share of this segment is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of gluten-free supplements and the increasing use of gluten-free baked goods. This is due to increased innovation and the growing popularity of healthy baked goods due to the increased risk of chronic diseases. The demand stems from the growing belief that baked goods that are gluten-free healthier than typical baked goods made from wheat flour. This helps in weight loss and obesity prevention and gives more energy than traditional baked goods.

Competitive Landscape

The UK Gluten-Free Products Market is highly fragmented due to the presence of many local and international suppliers. Key Players operating in UK Gluten-Free Products Market are Amys Kitchen Inc, Co-Operative Group Ltd, Fria Brod A B, Genius Food Ltd, McCormick Foods Ltd, Nairns Oatcakes Ltd, Natures Path Foods, Nestle SA, Prima Foods, The Kraft Heinz Co, and Other Prominent Players. Market leaders maintain their growth advantage by investing in research and development, incorporating cutting-edge technology into their products, and releasing improved items, launching new products to their customers. Various tactics are used, including strategic alliances, agreements, mergers, and partnerships.

Recent Development

• February 2022 – UK-based Italian food brand White Rabbit has launched a gluten-free, vegan calzone, and it claims to be the first on the market.

• June 2021 - UK-based company Ulrick and Short Limited has launched a new gluten-free functional flour called Fazenda Nutrigel to improve the quality of gluten-free bakery products.

• April 2021 - British brewer, Signature Brew has added a new beer called gluten-free Indian Pale Ale (IPA) and relaunched another beer under the same brand name in its UK home market.

Scope of the Report

By Product Type

• Bakery
• Confectionary
• Beverages
• Condiments
• Seasonings
• Dairy Products
• Meat And Substitutes

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Supermarkets
• Specialty Stores
• Others