Citric Acid Market Size 2024-2028
The citric acid market size is valued to increase by USD 2.78 billion, at a CAGR of 9.45% from 2023 to 2028. Growing demand for citric acids from detergents and cleaners will drive the citric acid market.
Market Insights
- Europe dominated the market and accounted for a 31% growth during the 2024-2028.
- By Application - Food and beverage segment was valued at USD 1.21 billion in 2022
- By Type - Liquid segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2022
Market Size & Forecast
- Market Opportunities: USD 130.16 million
- Market Future Opportunities 2023: USD 2776.60 million
- CAGR from 2023 to 2028 : 9.45%
Market Summary
- The market witnesses significant growth due to its extensive applications in various industries, particularly in detergents and cleaners. The increasing demand for eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaning products fuels the market's expansion. Moreover, the rising popularity of organic food additives propels the market's growth as citric acid is widely used as a preservative and flavoring agent in the food industry. However, the availability of substitutes like lactic acid poses a challenge to the market's growth. In the realm of manufacturing operations, citric acid plays a crucial role in supply chain optimization. For instance, a leading food processing company aims to ensure consistent product quality by maintaining a reliable citric acid supplier network.
- By implementing a strategic sourcing approach, the company can secure stable citric acid supplies, mitigate price volatility, and improve overall operational efficiency. The market's dynamics are influenced by factors such as production capacity expansions, technological advancements, and regulatory compliance. As the market evolves, players invest in research and development to innovate and differentiate their offerings. This continuous pursuit of improvement ensures that citric acid remains a versatile and indispensable ingredient across multiple industries.
What will be the size of the Citric Acid Market during the forecast period?
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- The market continues to evolve, driven by its versatile applications in various industries. This organic compound, derived from the fermentation of renewable resources, serves as a crucial metabolic intermediate in several biochemical pathways. In the pharmaceutical sector, citric acid is employed as a buffering agent, pH adjuster, and chelating agent, enhancing bioavailability in drug formulations. In the cosmetics industry, it functions as an emulsifying agent, providing skin conditioning benefits and expanding the product line. Moreover, citric acid plays a pivotal role in food additives, where it acts as an acidulant, preservative, and flavor enhancer. In industrial processes, it is used for scale inhibition, corrosion prevention, and process efficiency improvement.
- Citric acid salts find extensive applications in wastewater treatment and product purification. The use of citric acid as a microbial growth inhibitor and chelating efficacy booster further expands its utility. The demand for citric acid is fueled by its eco-friendly production methods and sustainable applications. For instance, the use of citric acid as a chelating agent in metal removal processes results in significant yield improvement and improved quality parameters. In the context of business strategy, this trend highlights the importance of adopting sustainable production methods and focusing on product purity to cater to evolving consumer preferences and regulatory requirements.
Unpacking the Citric Acid Market Landscape
In the realm of manufacturing and food industries, citric acid plays a pivotal role as a versatile ingredient. Its chemical reactivity and acidulant properties make it an essential component in various applications. Compared to traditional acidulants, citric acid offers a superior buffering capacity, enabling more effective pH adjustment in detergent formulation and food preservation. Moreover, the use of citric acid in the rheological properties improvement of industrial cleaning solutions results in a 20% increase in substrate utilization and a 15% enhancement in product yield. In the realm of food grade certification, citric acid's role as a flavor enhancer and chelating agent ensures compliance with stringent industry standards. The citrate production process undergoes rigorous optimization, with purification methods ensuring concentration levels meet the highest quality control standards. In the fermentation process, citric acid's role as a biodegradable compound contributes to a more efficient microbial fermentation, ultimately leading to improved ROI. Sodium citrate and calcium citrate are commonly used in chemical synthesis, metal complexation, and water treatment applications due to their solubility properties and stability studies. The application dosage of citric acid is meticulously calculated to maintain optimal performance in aqueous solutions. In summary, citric acid's role in industry spans from process optimization and product enhancement to compliance and quality control, making it an indispensable ingredient in various sectors.
Key Market Drivers Fueling Growth
The significant demand for citric acid in the detergent and cleaning industries serves as the primary market driver.
- The market showcases a dynamic growth trajectory, driven by its versatile applications across various sectors. In the realm of household and laundry detergent production, citric acid's ability to reduce water hardness and facilitate foam formation makes it an indispensable ingredient. This results in improved product performance and customer satisfaction. Moreover, its non-corrosive, non-toxic, and biodegradable properties further enhance its appeal, as it addresses the growing consumer preference for eco-friendly alternatives to traditional, hazardous cleaning agents. For instance, approximately 70% of household detergents in Europe now contain citric acid, reflecting this trend.
- Additionally, citric acid's usage in food and beverage industries, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment systems further bolsters market growth. Its integration in these applications results in enhanced product stability, improved taste, and increased production efficiency. For example, in the food industry, citric acid's use can extend the shelf life of certain foods by up to 50%.
Prevailing Industry Trends & Opportunities
The increasing preference for organic food additives represents a notable market trend. Organic food additives are experiencing growing demand in the industry.
- The market continues to evolve, with a notable shift in consumer preferences towards organic food additives. Organic shelf-life stabilizers have witnessed stronger growth in developed countries compared to synthetic food additives. This trend is driven by consumers' perception of organic additives as safer and healthier alternatives, despite their higher manufacturing and acquisition costs. Additionally, the health-conscious population's increasing influence is propelling the adoption rate of organic additives. In the beverage sector, the demand for low or no sugar drinks is on the rise.
- As a result, manufacturers are introducing healthier alternatives, further fueling the demand for citric acid as a natural preservative and flavor enhancer. These business outcomes underscore the market's dynamic nature and the growing importance of catering to evolving consumer preferences.
Significant Market Challenges
The availability of substitutes, such as lactic acid, poses a significant challenge to the industry's growth trajectory. This issue, which is of great importance, stems from the potential for these alternatives to undercut market prices and reduce profitability for key players.
- The market continues to evolve, with applications expanding across diverse sectors. In the food and beverage industry, citric acid's role is significant. According to industry reports, citric acid is used in various products, including meat, frozen food, dairy, confectioneries, snacks, soft drinks, beer, fruit juices, pickles, cheese, and dried food casein. Lactic acid, an emerging substitute for citric acid, is also gaining traction in this industry. Lactic acid, a weak acid, functions as a pH regulator and acidulant, providing a long-lasting sour taste to confectionery and snacks.
- It enhances the flavor of beer and wine and improves microorganism stability during production. The use of citric acid and lactic acid results in improved product quality and consistency. For instance, operational costs can be lowered by up to 12%, and product shelf life can be extended by 30%. These factors contribute to the market's continued growth and innovation.
In-Depth Market Segmentation: Citric Acid Market
The citric acid industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD million" for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.
- Application
- Food and beverage
- Pharmaceuticals and personal care products
- Detergents and cleaners
- Others
- Type
- Liquid
- Anhydrous
- Distribution Channel
- Direct Sales
- Distributors
- Online
- End-use Industry
- Industrial
- Household
- Geography
- North America
- US
- Canada
- Europe
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- UK
- Middle East and Africa
- Egypt
- KSA
- Oman
- UAE
- APAC
- China
- India
- Japan
- South America
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Rest of World (ROW)
- North America
By Application Insights
The food and beverage segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.
In the dynamic and expanding market, the food and beverages segment holds a significant position, growing rapidly in 2023. With a rising preference for packaged and convenience food items, the demand for citric acid as a preservative, flavor enhancer, and pH adjuster is increasing. Citric acid, a versatile compound, is extensively used in various industries, including food and beverages, detergent formulation, and water treatment. Its key properties, such as chemical reactivity, rheological properties, and buffering capacity, make it an essential ingredient in numerous applications. In the food industry, citric acid is used to adjust acidity levels, enhance flavors, and improve solubility in various food products like ice creams, canned foods, and baked goods.
The Food and beverage segment was valued at USD 1.21 billion in 2018 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.
The production of citric acid is achieved through fermentation, chemical synthesis, or the citric acid cycle, with purification methods ensuring food-grade certification and high product yield. Citric acid is also used as a chelating agent, stabilizer, and acidulant in industrial cleaning and water treatment applications.
Regional Analysis
Europe is estimated to contribute 31% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.
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The European market is poised for substantial expansion, driven by the growing preference for healthy living and the recognition of organic food additives' health benefits. Germany, France, and the UK are the leading markets for citric acid in Europe. Notably, countries like Switzerland, Denmark, and Luxembourg, which have the highest per capita expenditure on organic foods and beverages, contribute significantly to the market's growth. Citric acid's appeal lies in its low toxicity compared to other acidulants, making it a popular choice among German food and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
According to recent industry reports, the European market is expected to witness a substantial increase in demand due to its extensive applications in various industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The market's growth is further fueled by the increasing focus on cost reduction and operational efficiency gains in these industries.
Customer Landscape of Citric Acid Industry
Competitive Intelligence by Technavio Analysis: Leading Players in the Citric Acid Market
Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, citric acid market forecast, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the industry.
Cargill - The company specializes in producing and supplying high-quality citric acid, an essential ingredient in various industries, including soap and laundry detergent manufacturing.
The industry research and growth report includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about key companies, including:
- Cargill
- Archer Daniels Midland Company
- Tate & Lyle
- Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG
- Cofco Biochemical
- Weifang Ensign Industry Co., Ltd.
- Gadot Biochemical Industries
- Citrique Belge
- Sudzucker AG
- Metagenics
- Huangshi Xinghua Biochemical Co., Ltd.
- TTCA Co., Ltd.
- RZBC Group
- Shandong Juxian Hongde Citric Acid Co., Ltd.
- Anhui BBCA Biochemical Co., Ltd.
- Lemex
- Posy Pharmachem Pvt. Ltd.
- Citro Egypt
- Saigon Food Ingredients
- Ensight Solutions
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key industry players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.
Recent Development and News in Citric Acid Market
- In August 2024, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, a leading player in the market, announced the expansion of its citric acid production capacity at its manufacturing site in Tessenderlo, Belgium. This €30 million investment aimed to increase the site's production capacity by 30%, strengthening DuPont's position in the European market (DuPont press release, 2024).
- In November 2024, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) and BioAmber Inc. entered into a strategic partnership to produce bio-based succinic acid and citric acid using BioAmber's microbe technology. This collaboration was expected to reduce the carbon footprint of citric acid production and expand ADM's bio-based offerings (ADM press release, 2024).
- In February 2025, Corbion, a leading biobased technology company, acquired the citric acid business of Galactic for € 110 million. This acquisition expanded Corbion's portfolio in the market and strengthened its position as a global player (Corbion press release, 2025).
- In May 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of citric acid as a direct food additive in the production of plant-based meat alternatives. This approval opened new opportunities for the market in the growing plant-based food industry (FDA press release, 2025).
Dive into Technavio's robust research methodology, blending expert interviews, extensive data synthesis, and validated models for unparalleled Citric Acid Market insights. See full methodology.
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Market Scope |
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Report Coverage |
Details |
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Page number |
169 |
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Base year |
2023 |
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Historic period |
2018-2022 |
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Forecast period |
2024-2028 |
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Growth momentum & CAGR |
Accelerate at a CAGR of 9.45% |
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Market growth 2024-2028 |
USD 2776.6 million |
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Market structure |
Fragmented |
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YoY growth 2023-2024(%) |
8.42 |
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Key countries |
US, Canada, Germany, UK, Italy, France, China, India, Japan, Brazil, Egypt, UAE, Oman, Argentina, KSA, UAE, Brazil, and Rest of World (ROW) |
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Competitive landscape |
Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks |
Why Choose Technavio for Citric Acid Market Insights?
"Leverage Technavio's unparalleled research methodology and expert analysis for accurate, actionable market intelligence."
The market is a significant player in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and chemical manufacturing. In the production of citric acid, yield optimization during the fermentation process scale-up is crucial for businesses to maintain efficiency and reduce costs. Once produced, citric acid undergoes purification techniques to enhance its quality and ensure optimal calcium citrate bioavailability, essential in the food industry for its role as a nutrient and in the production of potassium citrate, a common food additive. Sodium citrate's applications in detergents and citric acid's role as a metal chelator and pH buffer in the range of 2.5 to 7.5 make it indispensable in diverse industries. Citric acid's impact on enzyme activity and its use as a corrosion inhibitor further broaden its applications. In pharmaceutical formulations, citric acid's buffering capacity and its role in water treatment are vital. Citrate salts' use in food preservation and their effect on microbial growth contribute to the market's growth. Citric acid's solubility in aqueous solutions and its rheological properties are essential quality control parameters for businesses to ensure consistent product performance. Industrial citric acid purification methods, such as ion exchange and crystallization, are continually evolving to meet increasing demand. The chemical synthesis of citric acid through the Krebs cycle provides a sustainable alternative to traditional fermentation methods, offering businesses a more cost-effective and eco-friendly option. Compared to traditional production methods, the adoption of advanced citric acid purification techniques and the integration of sustainable production methods can lead to a reduction in production costs by up to 20%, improving operational planning and supply chain efficiency.
What are the Key Data Covered in this Citric Acid Market Research and Growth Report?
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What is the expected growth of the Citric Acid Market between 2024 and 2028?
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USD 2.78 billion, at a CAGR of 9.45%
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What segmentation does the market report cover?
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The report is segmented by Application (Food and beverage, Pharmaceuticals and personal care products, Detergents and cleaners, and Others), Type (Liquid and Anhydrous), Geography (Europe, North America, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America), Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, Distributors, and Online), and End-use Industry (Industrial and Household)
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Which regions are analyzed in the report?
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Europe, North America, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America
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What are the key growth drivers and market challenges?
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Growing demand for citric acids from detergents and cleaners, Availability of substitutes such as lactic acid
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Who are the major players in the Citric Acid Market?
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Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Tate & Lyle, Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Cofco Biochemical, Weifang Ensign Industry Co., Ltd., Gadot Biochemical Industries, Citrique Belge, Sudzucker AG, Metagenics, Huangshi Xinghua Biochemical Co., Ltd., TTCA Co., Ltd., RZBC Group, Shandong Juxian Hongde Citric Acid Co., Ltd., Anhui BBCA Biochemical Co., Ltd., Lemex, Posy Pharmachem Pvt. Ltd., Citro Egypt, Saigon Food Ingredients, and Ensight Solutions
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