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Cereal Production in the US Industry Data and Analysis
Changing consumer trends and economic growth have translated into pressured demand for cereal producers. The growing popularity of low-carb diets has reduced the number of consumers buying traditional cereals high in carbohydrates. Meanwhile, other health-conscious consumers are primarily interested in cereals made with nutritious ingredients like whole grains and seeds. Cereal producers have also struggled as consumers' spending has heightened, indulging in premium breakfast foods such as gourmet omelets and avocado toast. Consumer preferences have shifted toward convenient and portable foods, like protein bars and yogurt, as free time becomes more limited, further hampering cereal demand. Still, cereal popularity has remained relatively steady in recent years despite these challenges. Overall, revenue has inched downward at a CAGR of 0.4% over the past five years to reach $12.3 billion in 2026, including a 0.9% drop in 2026 alone. Also, profit dropped down slightly to 10.6% in 2026 from 11.6% in 2021.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Cereal Production industry in the United States includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2016-2031. The most recent publication was released February 2026.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Cereal Production industry in the United States operates under the NAICS industry code 31123. Cereal producers acquire raw materials like corn, wheat, flour, sugar, malt extract and rice and process them into ready-to-eat and hot cereals. They also purchase raw materials from other manufacturers, like plastic and paperboard containers, for packaging purposes. The finished breakfast cereals are then sold to grocery wholesalers, retailers and food-service providers. Related terms covered in the Cereal Production industry in the United States include ready-to-eat cereal, wholesale bypass and private label.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Cereal Production industry in the United States include Ready-to-eat corn breakfast cereals, Ready-to-eat wheat breakfast cereals and Other ready-to-eat grain breakfast cereals.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Cereal Production industry in the United States include Post Holdings, Inc., WK Kellogg Co. and General Mills, Inc.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Cereal Production industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed product and service segmentation, analysis of major markets and international trade data for the for the Cereal Production industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Cereal Production industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Cereal Production industry in the United States. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Cereal Production industry in the United States. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Cereal Production industry in the United States. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Cereal Production industry in the United States. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Cereal Production industry in the United States.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Cereal Production industry in the United States in 2026?
The market size of the Cereal Production industry in the United States is $12.3bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Cereal Production industry in the United States in 2026?
There are 74 businesses in the Cereal Production industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.6 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Cereal Production industry in the United States?
The Cereal Production industry in the United States is likely to be impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Cereal Production industry in the United States?
The Cereal Production industry in the United States is likely to be impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
Has the Cereal Production industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Cereal Production industry in the United States has been declining at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Cereal Production industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Cereal Production industry in the United States is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Cereal Production industry in the United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Cereal Production industry in the United States are Post Holdings, Inc., WK Kellogg Co. and General Mills, Inc.
What does the Cereal Production industry in the United States include?
Manufacturing ready-to-eat cereal and Manufacturing oatmeal are part of the Cereal Production industry in the United States.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Cereal Production industry in the United States?
The company holding the most market share in the Cereal Production industry in the United States is Post Holdings, Inc..
How competitive is the Cereal Production industry in the United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Cereal Production industry in the United States.
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