The United States is a leading producer of oats, with vast agricultural lands dedicated to this nutritious grain. Oats are used in a wide range of food products, from breakfast cereals to baked goods, and are also a significant source of animal feed. The U.S. oats industry plays an important role in the global oats market, thanks to its large-scale farming operations, high-quality production, and innovation in oat-based products. This report highlights the top 10 oats producers in the United States, their contributions to the oats industry, and the regions where they operate.

1. Quaker Oats (PepsiCo)

Quaker Oats, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, is the largest and most well-known oats producer in the United States. The company has a long history in the oats industry and produces a wide variety of oats-based products, including instant oatmeal, rolled oats, and oat-based snacks. Quaker Oats is a household name and continues to lead the market with its high-quality oats.

Key Products:

• Quaker Instant Oatmeal
• Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats
• Quaker Oatmeal Squares

Key Features:

• Largest oats producer in the U.S. and one of the leading brands worldwide.
• Known for its diverse product offerings.
• Significant market share in the food industry and strong global presence.

2. Bob’s Red Mill

Bob’s Red Mill is a major oats producer in the United States, known for its commitment to high-quality, organic, and gluten-free oats. The company offers a wide range of oat products, including rolled oats, steel-cut oats, and oat flour. Bob’s Red Mill is a leader in the natural foods industry and is well-regarded for its healthy, non-GMO products.

Key Products:

• Bob’s Red Mill Rolled Oats
• Bob’s Red Mill Steel-Cut Oats
• Bob’s Red Mill Oat Flour

Key Features:

• Focus on organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO oats.
• Strong reputation in the natural foods market.
• Expanding presence in international markets.

3. General Mills (Nature Valley)

General Mills, a major U.S. food company, produces oats through its Nature Valley brand. Nature Valley is known for its oat-based granola bars and snacks, making it one of the most popular oat-based brands in the U.S. General Mills has a large-scale oats production operation, producing oats for both its own products and for the broader market.

Key Products:

• Nature Valley Oat Granola Bars
• Nature Valley Crunchy Granola
• Nature Valley Oatmeal

Key Features:

• A major producer of oats for both food and snack products.
• Strong presence in the granola bar and snack markets.
• Expanding product range and innovation in oat-based snacks.

4. Grain Millers

Grain Millers is one of the largest suppliers of oats in the U.S. and specializes in milling and processing oats for both food and animal feed markets. The company produces rolled oats, oat flour, and oat bran, and is known for its commitment to high-quality products and sustainability. Grain Millers serves domestic and international markets, with a strong focus on organic oats.

Key Products:

• Grain Millers Rolled Oats
• Grain Millers Oat Flour
• Grain Millers Oat Bran

Key Features:

• Leading supplier of both conventional and organic oats.
• Focus on sustainable farming and eco-friendly practices.
• Significant presence in international oats markets.

5. Quaker Oats (Post Consumer Brands)

Post Consumer Brands, a division of Post Holdings, is another major producer of oats in the U.S., producing oats under various brand names, including Great Grains and Post Oats. The company produces rolled oats, oat cereal, and oat-based snacks, with a strong focus on the health food market.

Key Products:

• Post Oats
• Great Grains Cereal
• Post Oatmeal

Key Features:

• Well-established company in the oats and cereal markets.
• Focus on healthy, whole grain-based products.
• Expanding innovation in oat-based breakfast foods.

6. McCann’s Irish Oatmeal

McCann’s Irish Oatmeal, though primarily known for its steel-cut oats, is a significant producer of oats in the United States. The company specializes in high-quality oats that are often marketed as premium products. McCann’s oats are used in various food products, including oatmeal and baked goods.

Key Products:

• McCann’s Steel-Cut Oats
• McCann’s Quick-Cooking Oats
• McCann’s Irish Oatmeal

Key Features:

• Known for its high-quality, traditional oats.
• Specializes in steel-cut oats for a premium market.
• Popular brand in both domestic and international markets.

7. Nature’s Path

Nature’s Path is an organic food company that produces oats and oat-based products, including organic rolled oats, instant oatmeal, and oat flour. The company is committed to sustainability and producing organic products that meet the growing demand for healthy, environmentally-friendly foods.

Key Products:

• Nature’s Path Organic Oats
• Nature’s Path Instant Oatmeal
• Nature’s Path Granola

Key Features:

• Focus on organic and sustainable oats.
• Strong presence in the organic foods market.
• Known for producing high-quality, eco-friendly oats.

8. The J.M. Smucker Company (Smucker’s Oats)

The J.M. Smucker Company is well known for its jams and jellies, but it also produces oats under the Smucker’s brand. The company offers a range of oat products, including instant oatmeal and oat-based breakfast foods. Smucker’s oats are sold both in the U.S. and in international markets.

Key Products:

• Smucker’s Instant Oatmeal
• Smucker’s Oatmeal Squares

Key Features:

• Known for its wide range of breakfast products.
• Focus on convenience and healthy oat products.
• Expanding its oats-based offerings in the U.S. market.

9. King Arthur Baking Company

King Arthur Baking Company, known for its premium baking products, also produces oats. The company’s oats are used in a variety of baking products, including oatmeal cookies, muffins, and bars. King Arthur is recognized for its high-quality ingredients and commitment to sustainable farming.

Key Products:

• King Arthur Rolled Oats
• King Arthur Oat Flour

Key Features:

• Known for its premium quality baking products.
• Focus on sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices.
• Popular in the premium baking market.

10. Oatly USA

Oatly, a leading oat milk producer, has made a significant impact in the U.S. market with its oat-based products. The company’s oat milk has grown in popularity due to its plant-based, dairy-free appeal. Oatly is one of the major producers of oats used in beverages and is expanding its presence in the growing plant-based market.

Key Products:

• Oatly Oat Milk
• Oatly Oat Yogurt

Key Features:

• Specializes in plant-based, oat-based beverages.
• Known for its commitment to sustainability and ethical production.
• Rapidly expanding presence in the plant-based product market.

Conclusion

The U.S. oats industry is diverse and competitive, with major players like Quaker Oats, Bob’s Red Mill, and General Mills leading the way in both production and innovation. These companies produce high-quality oats for a variety of markets, from food to animal feed to plant-based beverages. With growing consumer demand for organic, gluten-free, and plant-based products, U.S. oats producers are well-positioned for continued success in the global oats market.