Food Acidulants Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

Food Acidulants market was estimated at US$3.664 billion in 2022.

Food acidulants are food additives that give meals a tart, sour, or acidic flavour in a food or a beverage product or increase their perceived sweetness. In some processed foods, food acidulants can also act as emulsifiers. These chemical compounds are also used to balance the pH level, modify the flavour profiles, control gel formation, and maintain the viscosity of confections. Acetic acid and citric acid are two of the most popular food acidulates.

Other popular examples of food acidulants used in food processing include fumaric acid, tartaric acid, gluconic-delta-lactone, lactic acid, and gluconic acid are some other acidulants used in food processing.

Food acidulants are employed in various foods and beverages, such as confectionary products, snacks, baked goods, processed foods, drinks, ready-to-eat products, etc. Thus, growing consumer demand for processed and convenience foods is a major factor driving the global market during the analysis period.

Food acidulants are primarily used in sour products with citrus flavours. Therefore, the growing demand for citrus flavour profiles such as mandarin, yuzu, grapefruit, lime, and tangy, zesty products, is fuelling the demand for food acid regulators.

Furthermore, growing consumer interest in clean-label products is projected to drive the food acidulants market growth. Changing consumer preferences and rising disposable income are also significant drivers of the market for food acidulants.

Market Drivers:

Growing demand for citrus-flavoured and sour products:

Citrus flavour profiles are among the most popular worldwide and are used in various meals, ready-to-eat products, jellies, snacks, baked goods, confections, and drinks. However, consumers have wanted much more from the citrus category in recent years and developed a sophisticated taste for these flavours.

Food acidulants are extensively used in citrus-flavoured products to give their signature tangy flavour. Therefore growing demand for citrus flavour is driving the global market growth. For instance, in March 2023, American food giant General Mills announced the launch of citrus-flavoured products in its portfolio due to its growing demand.

The food business is evolving as more companies capitalize on consumer desire for tart, zesty, sour foods by selling sour-flavoured food and beverage items such as Greek yoghurt, salt and vinegar crisps, and lime-flavoured candies. Due to the incorporation of different cuisines, sour flavours, and snack foods have grown in favour. Asian cuisines, notably Thai, have boosted the popularity of sour flavours with items such as sour dipping sauces and hot soups boosted with lime juice. These flavour trends in the food and beverage industry are spurring the demand for food acid regulators during the analysis period.

Growing demand for processed foods

The increasing demand for processed foods, which offer convenience and shelf stability, serves as a significant driving force in the market. Food acidulants play a vital role in these products by enhancing flavor, extending shelf life, improving texture and mouthfeel, and acting as preservatives.

In 2023, the total export value of processed food products from the U.S. amounted to $36.51 billion, with a total volume of 10 million metric tons exported. Specifically, processed fruit exports in 2023 reached a total export value of $1.51 billion.

These figures underscore the evolving needs of the food and beverage industry, aligning with consumer preferences for taste, functionality, and clean labels, thereby driving the food-acidulant market growth.

Growing demand for natural and organic products

The rising consumer interest in natural and organic foods presents an opportunity for the utilization of organic acidulants sourced from natural processes such as fermentation. These alternatives align with consumer preferences for clean and recognizable ingredients, offering a chance to meet the growing demand for natural and organic food products.

Market Restraint:

Complex laws and restrictions as restraints:

Complex laws, restrictions, possible side effects, high & volatile prices of raw materials, and a lack of knowledge obstruct the global food acidulants market growth during the analysis period. Moreover, a continuous product launched by key market players with innovative sour, citrusy, and zesty flavours and textures provides new opportunities to market participants during the forecast period.

Food acidulants market market segmentation by type into citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, and others.

The food acidulants market is segmented by type into several categories, including citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, and others.

Citric acid finds widespread use across various food and beverage applications, such as soft drinks, juices, candy, gummies, bakery products, and dairy items like cheese.

Lactic acid is commonly employed in beverages like sports and yogurt drinks, bakery goods for improving shelf life, cheese production, and as a preservative in certain food items. Acetic acid is primarily utilized in condiments like vinegar and salad dressings, sauces such as ketchup and mayonnaise, and as a pickling agent.

Phosphoric acid is found in beverages like colas, bakery products to enhance dough handling, processed cheese, and as a leavening agent in some baking powders. Malic acid is utilized in beverages like fruit-flavoured drinks and candy, confectionery items like sour candies, and as an acidulant in certain savoury applications. Other acidulants include fumaric acid, tartaric acid, and gluconic acid, each with its specific uses in the food industry.

APAC is anticipated to hold a significant share of the food acidulants market.

Asia Pacific region is anticipated to hold a significant market share in food acidulants. This region will experience rapid expansion throughout the projection period due to the growing demand for citrus and sour flavor products.

Food acidulants are in high demand in markets such as India and China. This region's market is also expanding due to the growing millennial population. This region's market is expanding due to the presence of a well-established food & beverage industry. This region's market is expanding due to changing eating habits and rising demand for healthy beverages.

Market Developments:

• August 2022-  LG Chem and ADM, a leading global player in nutrition and bio-solutions,  announced the launch of two joint ventures for the production of lactic acid and polylactic acid in the United States. The aim was to address the increasing demand for a diverse range of plant-based products, including bioplastics. Subject to final investment decisions, the joint ventures selected Decatur, Illinois, U.S., as the intended location for their production facilities. 

Market Segmentation:

By Type

• Citric Acid
• Lactic Acid
• Acetic Acid
• Phosphoric Acid
• Malic Acid
• Others

By Application

• Beverages
• Dairy and Frozen Products
• Bakery
• Meat Industry
• Confectionery
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• UK
• Spain
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Others