Flour consumption continues its decades-long slide in the United States, according to a new report.
Per capita wheat flour consumption fell to 126.6 pounds in 2025, continuing a trend that started around the turn of the century, according to the Wheat Sector at a Glance report produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.
That is well below the 146.4 lb. of wheat flour consumed per person in 2000.
That is not great news for Canadian farmers. The U.S. was Canada’s fourth largest wheat market from 2021-25 , accounting for an average of seven per cent of sales.
Jane DeMarchi, president of the North American Miller’s Association, said there are several reasons why consumption has tumbled.
It began with the widespread adoption of low-carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkin’s Diet.
The rise of the gluten-free movement exacerbated the problem.
There was a brief reprieve from the downward trend during COVID-19, when people started eating comfort food at home and making their own bread. Sourdough became particularly popular during that time.
But that was short-lived.
“Now we’re in a downward trend again,” said DeMarchi.
The growing popularity of GLP-1 medications that treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity is having a negative impact on a wide variety of foods.
Click here to see more...