Could This Ancient African Grain Be the Future of Food?

June 2026

Why UK food businesses should start paying attention to fonio, a climate-resilient super grain.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), only 15 crop plants provide around 90% of the world's food energy intake. Of that, rice, maize and wheat account for around 2/3.¹

These crops have fed billions of people for generations and will continue to play a fundamental role in global food security. But as climate change, supply chain disruption and changing consumer expectations reshape the food industry, an important question is beginning to emerge:

Should we be looking beyond the crops we've always relied on?

Around the world, manufacturers, product developers and ingredient suppliers are beginning to explore crops that have long been overlooked, not because they are new, but because they have yet to be fully integrated into modern food systems.

One of those crops is fonio: a climate-resilient super grain.

Cultivated across West Africa for more than 5,000 years, fonio (Digitaria exilis) is one of the oldest, nutrient-rich, and most sustainable grains in the world.

Naturally gluten-free, with a low glycaemic index and often described as the world's fastest-cooking grain, fonio offers an attractive nutritional and functional profile for today's health-conscious consumers. It is also a source of protein and contains essential amino acids, including methionine and cysteine, which are often limited in many grains and can be particularly valuable in plant-based food formulations.

From an agricultural perspective, fonio is equally compelling. It is drought tolerant, grows successfully on poor soils, requires no irrigation beyond natural rainfall, and is typically cultivated as a low-input crop with minimal reliance on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. Naturally non-GMO, these characteristics are making it increasingly relevant as the food industry explores more resilient agricultural systems.

Beyond its environmental benefits, fonio also plays an important socio-economic role across West Africa. Women often lead fonio processing cooperatives, creating employment, strengthening local economies and helping preserve generations of agricultural knowledge.

Its mild, slightly nutty flavour and exceptional versatility make it suitable for a wide range of food applications.

As a whole grain, fonio is ideal for salads, healthy bowls, side dishes, porridges, and even brewing. Milled into flour, it can be used in breads, pasta, crêpes, pastries, healthy snacks and a wide variety of gluten-free bakery products.

Yet despite its long history and growing international recognition, fonio remains relatively unknown within the UK food industry. In contrast, the ingredient has gained increasing attention in the United States, where it has begun appearing across foodservice, retail and food manufacturing.

Why the UK should be paying attention

The food industry is evolving. Consumers are increasingly looking for products that are healthy, minimally processed, and sustainable, without compromising on convenience and taste.   Manufacturers are seeking opportunities to innovate while differentiating their product portfolios. At the same time, procurement teams are paying closer attention to supply chain resilience and to diversifying ingredient sourcing. Fonio sits at the intersection of these trends.

Building a more resilient food system

The future of food isn't about replacing wheat, rice or maize. Those crops will remain essential to feeding the world's population. But as climate change, water scarcity and extreme weather threaten agricultural resilience, the future of food also depends on embracing a wider diversity of climate-resilient crops.

Throughout history, thousands of edible crops have sustained communities around the world.

Many remain largely absent from modern food systems despite offering valuable nutritional, functional and agricultural characteristics. Fonio is one of those crops. If the future of food depends on greater diversity, fonio deserves a place in that conversation.

About Future Foods Africa

Future Foods Africa connects UK food businesses with African ancient grains, starting with fonio. We help UK food manufacturers, brands, bakeries, breweries, mills, and foodservice businesses innovate, differentiate, and meet growing consumer demand by discovering, sourcing, and trialling Africa's ancient grains and superfoods, while supporting African producers to become export-ready and unlocking commercial opportunities—building healthier, more resilient food systems.

¹ Source: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). Dimensions of Need – Staple Foods.