Exports of rice flour have seen a significant increase of 2.3 times from January to October 2020, compared to the same period in the previous year, totaling 184 tons. The majority of these exports are headed for Europe and the United States due to the growing demand for gluten-free products. In 2019, the United States was the largest market, accounting for 58% of the exports. The global gluten-free market is projected to reach 1 trillion yen in 2022, driven by both medical needs and lifestyle trends. Despite these positive trends, the ministry has highlighted challenges such as the high cost and price disparity between rice flour and wheat flour products.