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China, the United States, and Germany are the leading exporters of citric acid (CAS 77-92-9), collectively accounting for over half of global exports in recent years; major importers include India, Mexico, and Brazil, reflecting strong demand in food, pharmaceutical, and cleaning product manufacturing. Citric acid prices have remained relatively stable amid steady export volumes from top producers, though India’s import growth has accelerated notably since 2022, signaling expanding downstream industrial use.
Recent Market Dynamics Intelligence
1. Price Trends
- Domestic Market: Recently, domestic citric acid prices have shown a stable and slightly increasing trend. In some regions, ex-factory prices have increased by RMB 50–100 per ton, with mainstream quotes fluctuating in the range of RMB 5,500–6,000 per ton.
- International Market: International citric acid prices have risen in line with the domestic market, with FOB prices increasing by USD 20–50 per ton. Current quotes are in the range of USD 850–950 per ton.
2. Supply Situation
- Domestic Production: Operating rates at domestic production enterprises remain stable, with most companies maintaining normal production rhythms. Output and supply are generally sufficient to meet market demand. However, short-term production has slightly decreased at some enterprises due to equipment maintenance or raw material supply issues.
- Imports: Recent citric acid import volumes have decreased, primarily due to rising international market prices and increased shipping costs, which have reduced the procurement enthusiasm of importers.
3. Demand Situation
- Food Industry: As the main consumer sector for citric acid, the food industry has seen stable demand growth. With the arrival of summer, increased production of beverages, candies, and other foods has boosted citric acid demand, driving up market procurement volumes.
- Pharmaceutical, Chemical, and Other Industries: Demand in these sectors remains largely unchanged, maintaining a stable trend with relatively minor impact on citric acid prices.
4. Raw Material Market
- Corn: Corn, the primary raw material for citric acid, has shown a stable and slightly rising price trend recently. Influenced by increased planting costs and market supply-demand dynamics, corn price fluctuations have provided certain support to citric acid production costs.
- Sulfuric Acid: Sulfuric acid prices remain relatively stable, with limited impact on citric acid production costs.
Analysis and Judgment
1. Reasons for Price Increase
- Demand Side: The growth in summer demand from the food industry is the main driver behind the rise in citric acid prices, as increased market procurement volumes have pushed prices upward.
- Supply Side: Decreased production at some enterprises and reduced import volumes have led to a slight tightness in market supply, further contributing to price increases.
- Cost Side: Rising corn prices have increased citric acid production costs, prompting enterprises to raise product prices to maintain profit margins.
2. Market Contradictions
- Currently, overall market supply is generally sufficient to meet demand, but localized supply tightness exists due to production fluctuations at some enterprises and reduced imports. This creates a contradiction with the overall supply-demand balance, potentially leading to increased price volatility.
Forecast
1. Short-Term Forecast (1–2 Weeks)
- Prices: Citric acid prices are expected to maintain a stable and slightly increasing trend. Domestic market prices are projected to fluctuate in the range of RMB 5,600–6,100 per ton, while international FOB prices are expected to range from USD 870–970 per ton.
- Supply and Demand: On the supply side, enterprise operating rates are expected to remain stable, with production gradually returning to normal. Import volumes may remain constrained due to price factors. On the demand side, robust demand from the food industry is expected to continue, driving active market procurement.
2. Medium-Term Forecast (1–3 Months)
- Prices: If corn prices continue to rise or food industry demand further increases, citric acid prices may continue to climb, though the magnitude of the increase will be constrained by market supply capacity. Domestic prices may break through RMB 6,200 per ton, while international prices could exceed USD 1,000 per ton.
- Supply and Demand: Over time, market supply is expected to gradually adapt to demand changes, leading to a more balanced supply-demand relationship and potentially reduced price volatility. However, extreme weather affecting corn yields or the emergence of new demand growth points in the food industry could significantly impact market supply, demand, and prices.
Citric acid is a white, crystalline solid at room temperature, odorless, with a strongly acidic taste and moderate hygroscopicity; it decomposes before boiling and has a melting point of approximately 153 °C. It is a naturally occurring tricarboxylic organic acid, commonly produced via microbial fermentation of carbohydrates. Citric acid serves as a chelating agent, pH adjuster, and preservative across multiple industries, and is widely used in food and beverage formulation, pharmaceutical excipients, and detergent builders. It functions as an intermediate in the synthesis of citrate esters—used as plasticizers and solvents—and in metal cleaning and surface treatment applications. Typical application areas include food additives, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cleaning products, and electroplating solutions.
Citric acid is the intermediate product of the plants of a natural composition and physiological metabolism, is also one of the organic acids widely used in the field of food, medicine, chemical industry. It is colorless transparent or translucent crystal, or granular, particle powder, odorless, although has strong sour, but a pleasant, slightly astringent taste. In the warm air gradually disintegrate, in the humid air, it is slight deliquescence.
This chemical is included in Fine Chemicals. See more about what is Citric acid and Citric acid SDS information.
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