Flatbreads were amongst the earliest types of bread in human history and still play an essential role in the current global food culture. Today, most Flatbreads are made either leavened or unleavened; the ingredients remain simple, but the recipes are incredibly varied. Many of these traditional breads can be served with spreads as appetizers or snacks or with salads as a side dish, and larger flatbreads can be made into various delicious wraps. Recently, rapid information exchange online has resulted in vast shifts in consumer behaviors, and this phenomenon is reflected in the growing demand for healthier, more convenient products. There is also an increasing in demand for items made with authentic, and locally sourced ingredients. In the future, novelty Flatbread products made with advanced production technology will play an even more significant role in the global market, creating new business opportunities.

Asia is home to a wide variety of flatbreads. The tandoori oven-baked "Naan" is one of the most famous leavened Indian flatbreads, known for its soft yet chewy texture and is often enjoyed with curry or kebabs. Chapati is a delicious unleavened flatbread popular in India, Pakistan, and parts of East Africa. It is commonly served by humble street vendors and well-established eateries and restaurants as an everyday staple. Another well-known unleavened flatbread is Paratha, featuring a unique layered and flaky texture created by incorporating ghee or oil into the dough. To develop different flavors, Parathas can be stuffed with spices, potatoes, vegetables, or paneer (cheese curd). In Malaysia, a similar flatbread is called Roti Canai; this square pancake was introduced by Indian immigrants, and the recipe was localized, and now it is offered in various flavors.

According to market reports, the frozen Indian Flatbread market is expected to grow from $50.67 million in 2023 to $248 million by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.33% from 2024 to 2032. Major Indian flatbread manufacturers, including iD Fresh Food, Rotikaa Foods, Sumeru, and GOELD, meet local demands and have expanded into international markets by exporting to Asian supermarkets in Europe and the U.S.

In the Middle East, Pita (also known as Arabic bread) is the most common Flatbread consumed in the region and is often served with hummus or made into sandwiches. This ancient, leavened Flatbread has gained popularity in Europe, America, and many Asian countries in recent years. In 2023, the frozen pita bread market was valued at $12.43 billion, and by 2032, it is projected to reach $32.32 billion, with a CAGR of 11.2% from 2024 to 2032. Toufayan is a renowned bakery brand that specializes in producing and distributing various authentic flatbreads; the company makes classic Pita bread and has also developed multi-grain, keto-friendly, and high-protein Pita breads catering to consumers with different dietary preferences.

Over 120 million Tortillas are consumed in the United States every year! More than 200 Tortilla manufacturers in the country supply various fast-food chains and Mexican restaurants that make dishes like street Tacos, Quesadillas, and Burritos. Supermarkets are also stocked with major brands like Mission Foods and Grupo Bimbo, offering shelf-stable, packaged flour Tortillas from 6-12 inches. Additionally, manufacturers also offer colorful flavors such as turmeric, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach Tortillas, and various gluten-free Tortillas made of corn, quinoa, white cauliflower, or chickpea flour.

The U.S. is a cultural melting pot, and recently authentic Flatbreads from Asia are becoming a new mainstream staple. Indian Flatbreads can be easily spotted in chain supermarkets, with brands like Stonefire and Atoria's Family Bakery offering packaged Naan in the bread aisle. Walmart and online marketplaces also sell these Flatbreads, and Trader Joe's offers frozen Paratha and Tandoori Naan as ready-to-eat novelty products in the freezer section. Many food trucks purchase premade Paratha in bulk to create fast food dishes with unique fillings catering to a diverse range of consumers.

Many well-known multinational baking companies started small; their business grew by supplying traditional Flatbreads to local and regional channels. As the demand for their products and sales increased, these brands eventually expanded into international markets. When production and orders increase, these manufacturers inevitably need to upgrade their production lines to increase efficiency and capacity. ANKO offers a range of automatic Flatbread production machines that are customizable to meet our client's production volume and other requirements maximizing their return on investment.

• LP-3001 Automatic Layer & Stuffed Paratha Production Line:A highly automated production line designed for producing multi-layered Paratha. The processing mechanism includes folding ghee or oil into the dough sheet, layering, pressing, stretching, and rolling to create a crispy Paratha that has up to 36 layers. The Triple-line production line has a capacity of 100,000 pieces per day.Case Studies >
• TT-3600 Tortilla Production Line:This line features specialized heat-pressing and tunnel oven designs for producing up to 3,600 Tortillas per hour. It is also equipped with an automatic counting system for packaging; this line is ideal for large-scale Tortilla producers and central kitchens, as well as for fast-food and chain restaurants.
• PT-5000 Pita Bread Making Machine:This production line includes an automatic dough divider, flattening devices, and exclusive proofing equipment for making Pita bread that resembles handmade. By changing the rolling cutters, this machine can produce Pita breads that are 18cm to 30cm in diameter at a rate of up to 6,000 pieces per hour.

All ANKO's professional food machinery is made in Taiwan; we have supplied major commercial food factories worldwide for the 46 years we have been in business. Our experienced consulting teams provide customized production line design, process optimization, and recipe adjustment services. ANKO's "integrated production line" modularizes each process to allow production line expansions based on the client's existing equipment by seamlessly connecting all processes to create a high-efficiency production model requiring minimal labor. For any inquiries regarding automation equipment, please feel free to contact us.