Citric Acid Market Report 2026

The citric acid market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $4.5 billion in 2025 to $4.69 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of processed food consumption, expansion of soft drink production, increasing use as preservative and flavor enhancer, availability of fermentation-based production methods, rising demand from personal care formulations.

The citric acid market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.64 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing preference for natural ingredients, expansion of functional beverage markets, rising pharmaceutical formulation demand, growing adoption in eco-friendly cleaning products, increasing focus on sustainable acid production. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of natural food acidulants, rising demand from beverage manufacturing, growing adoption in clean-label formulations, expansion of pharmaceutical grade applications, enhanced focus on shelf-life extension.

The increasing need for food safety is expected to propel the growth of the citric acid market going forward. Food safety refers to the practices and conditions that ensure food is handled, prepared, and stored in ways that prevent contamination and protect consumer health. The increasing need for food safety is primarily driven by the rise in foodborne illnesses, which pose serious health risks and highlight the importance of proper handling, processing, and monitoring of food. Citric acid enhances food safety by acting as a natural preservative that inhibits microbial growth and helps maintain product freshness. For instance, in December 2024, according to the European Food Safety Authority, an Italy-based government agency, in 2023, there were 148,181 cases of campylobacteriosis, corresponding to 45.7 cases per 100,000 people, marking a 4.3% increase in the notification rate compared to 2022. Therefore, the increasing need for food safety is driving the growth of the citric acid market.

The increasing demand for personal care products is expected to propel the growth of the citric acid market going forward. Personal care products refer to self-care items used for hygiene, cleaning, and grooming. Products such as skincare and cosmetics drive the demand for citric acid, as it is commonly used to adjust pH levels, act as an antioxidant, and enhance the stability and effectiveness of formulations. For instance, in September 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a US-based government agency, spending on personal care products and services increased by 9.7% from 2022 to 2023, while their share of total annual expenditures remained steady at 1.2% in both years. Therefore, the increasing demand for personal care products is driving the growth of the citric acid market.

In May 2025, Roquette Freres S.A., a France-based plant-based ingredients and pharmaceutical-excipients company, acquired IFF Pharma Solutions for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Roquette aims to expand its capabilities and global footprint in drug-delivery solutions and strengthen its position as a key partner to the worldwide pharmaceutical industry. International Flavors and Fragrances Inc. is a US-based company specializing in providing citric acid as one of its organic acid ingredients.

Major companies operating in the citric acid market are Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Cofco Biochemical Co. Ltd., Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Incorporated, Gadot Biochemical Industries Ltd, Tate & Lyle PLC, Huangshi Xinghua Biochemical Co. Ltd., RZBC Group Co. Ltd., Weifang Ensign Industry Co. Ltd., S.A. Citrique Belge N.V., Yixing Biochemical Co. Ltd., Shandong Juxian Hongde Citric Acid Company Ltd., Foodchem International Corporation, Posy Pharmachem Pvt Ltd, Saudi Bio-Acids Company, Citrique Belge N.V., TTCA Co. Ltd., Laiwu Taihe Biochemistry Co. Ltd.

Europe and North America was the largest region in the citric acid market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the citric acid market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the citric acid market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The citric acid market consists of sales of citric acid powder and citric acid crystals. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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