Oats Suppliers - Wholesale & Bulk

Oats

Oats (Avena sativa) are one of the most versatile grains in food manufacturing, available as groats, steel-cut, rolled, instant, flour, and bran. Canada, Russia, and Finland are leading supply origins. Compare oat suppliers and oat manufacturers on Nutrada by form, origin, gluten status, and certification.


What are Oats?

Oats are a cereal grain valued for their high beta-glucan fiber content, mild flavor, and functional properties. In food manufacturing, oats are used in breakfast cereals, granola, porridge, baked goods, energy bars, and increasingly as the base for oat milk and other dairy alternatives. Oats naturally contain beta-glucan, a soluble fiber recognized by EFSA for contributing to cholesterol maintenance, which enables health claims on consumer packaging.

Oats are often used with barley, spelt, and quinoa in mixed cereals and granolas. They contain natural beta-glucan, which is good for heart health, making them popular among health-conscious consumers.

Types, Varieties & Forms

Oats can be changed into different forms to meet various cooking and industrial needs. The required type often depends on what it will be used for, how it needs to feel, and how it will be processed.

  • Whole Oat Groats: Least processed, retaining bran and germ. Used in whole grain blends and hearty cereals.
  • Steel-Cut Oats: Chopped groats with a chewy texture. Traditional oatmeal and premium porridge.
  • Rolled Oats: Steamed and flattened. The standard for baking, granola, bars, and porridge.
  • Instant Oats: Pre-cooked and thinly rolled for quick-prep products.
  • Oat Flour: Finely milled for baking, thickening, and gluten-free formulations.
  • Oat Bran: The high-fiber outer layer. Used in health foods and functional bakery products.
  • Puffed Oats: These oats are processed with heat and can be found in ready-to-eat cereals and snacks.


Harvest Season

Oats are harvested in August–September in the Northern Hemisphere. Timing is critical, because late harvest can lead to discoloration and reduced quality. New crop oats enter the market from October onwards. Canada's harvest strongly influences global pricing and availability. Oat prices can spike in poor harvest years, particularly when drought affects Canadian production.

Producing Countries

Oats grow well in temperate areas. The top producing countries are Canada, Russia, the United States, Finland, and Poland.

  • Canada and Russia lead in oat production. In 2023, Canada saw a large drop in oat output, down to 2.6 million tonnes. However, forecasts for 2024 expect a 27% increase because of better yields and more planting.
  • The United States also produces a lot of oats, especially in northern states like North Dakota and Minnesota.
  • Finland: A key European source, particularly for organic oats and oats destined for the dairy alternative industry.
  • Poland and UK: Important European producers supplying the milling and food manufacturing sectors.

Rotating oats with barley and wheat helps keep the soil healthy. This makes oats an important crop for sustainable farming.

Trends

Oats are becoming more popular around the world because they are healthy and can be used in many ways. More people are choosing plant-based diets, which is driving innovations in dairy-free products such as oat milk. Due to its available forms this also means there is a growing interest in oat flour, oat bran, and puffed oats. In both retail and wholesale markets, oats are now seen as more than just a breakfast option.

Oats Manufacturers

When looking for oats in large quantities, having reliable supply chains and clear product details is crucial. Nutrada helps you find certified oat suppliers from various regions, ensuring you are able to buy high-quality oats in different types like rolled, steel-cut, instant, flour, and bran.

Our partners provide various packaging options and choices to fit your manufacturing or retail needs. Whether you are a food manufacturer, a private label brand, or oats distributor, Nutrada simplifies the process of finding reliable oat suppliers.

Bulk Oats

Bulk oats are packed in 25 kg paper bags or 1,000 kg big bags, palletized for container shipping. Shelf life is 12–18 months when stored in cool, dry conditions.

Key specifications to confirm include moisture content, presence of gluten (if gluten-free certification is needed, this requires dedicated milling lines), and mycotoxin testing (DON/vomitoxin, which can be elevated in wet harvest years).

Oats absorb odors easily, so storage separate from strong-smelling products is important.

Private Label Oats

Private label oats are sold in cardboard canisters, bags, or pouches (500g, 1 kg) across the porridge, granola, and baking aisle. Overnight oat kits and flavored instant oat packs are growing private label formats. Gluten-free oats command a retail premium and require dedicated production lines, confirm with suppliers.

Organic Oats

Organic oats are well-supplied from Finland, Canada, and the UK. Request EU Organic or USDA NOP certification, mycotoxin testing (DON levels), and gluten testing if targeting the gluten-free market. Finnish organic oats are particularly popular among European oat milk producers due to proximity and established supply chains.

Gluten-Free Oats

Gluten-free oats are grown, processed, and packaged under strict controls to avoid cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains. In a lot of cases they are also stored separately from other ingredients with allergens. For manufacturers targeting the free-from market, certified gluten-free oats are essential. The global gluten-free food market is experiencing substantial growth, with a projected value of $13.81 billion by 2032, expanding from $6.74 billion in 2023.

Oats Suppliers

Nutrada matches you with certified oats suppliers from top producing countries like Finland and Poland. Our network offers high-quality, organic and conventional options. Whether you need rolled oats, flour, or grains, our platform makes it easy to purchase.