Market Trends of North America Chia Seeds Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the North America Chia Seeds Market according to our research experts:
High Imports of Chia Seeds
North America produces chia seeds in a minimal amount. The region mainly imports chia seeds from various countries, such as China, Paraguay, Mexico, and Argentina. Chia seeds are readily available in grocery stores because they have a high demand in the region. In 2020, the United States imported around USD 168.9 million worth of chia seeds from the rest of the world, and Germany was the second major importer of chia seeds with USD 112.2 million in 2020. They contain a good amount of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and they are believed to boost energy, stabilize blood sugar, and help with digestion. These benefits lead to the high imports of the seeds in the region. This clearly displays the increase in demand for chia-based products in the country, which are met by the escalating imports in the study period.
United States- The Largest Consumer of Chia Seeds in the Region
The United States produces minimal quantities of chia in the mid/southwestern and eastern parts of the country. Based on the inputs from industry stakeholders, the US chia seeds market was estimated at USD 5,340.6 thousand in 2018; most of the sales were in the pure seed form. In 2010, only 27% of US consumers reported that they had heard of chia as a food item. However, by 2014, this fragment grew to over 37%. The protein content of the chia seeds is greater than in all other cereals crops because it mainly depends on environmental and agronomical factors. The US Department of Agriculture has confirmed that chia seeds contain some more exogenous amino acids and endogenous amino acids.
Chia seeds are labeled as superfoods in the United States, and thus, most merchants cite vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant contents on the packages to attract customers. Due to the presence of high protein, omega-3 fatty acid, and fiber content, in the past few years, there has been an increase in the consumption of chia seeds. As such, in the United States, the seeds are being increasingly integrated into the trends of health and food sectors, such as snacks, energy drinks, or aggregate with cereal, which is fueling the market for chia seeds in the country.
