Food Acidulants Market Trends

Global Food Acidulants Market Overview

The Food Acidulants Market Size was at USD 5.22 Billion in 2023. The Food Acidulants market industry is projected to grow from USD 5.45 Billion in 2024 to USD 7.43 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.94% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Rising demand for shelf-stable ingredients and innovation in encapsulation used in food acidulants are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth.

Source: Primary Research, Desk Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Food Acidulants Market Trends

• The rising demand for shelf-stable ingredients is driving the market growth

Market CAGR for food acidulants is driven by rising demand for shelf-stable ingredients. The rising demand for shelf-stable ingredients is a significant driving factor behind the growth of the food acidulants market. With consumers' increasingly busy lifestyles and the trend of convenience-driven food choices, there has been a surge in demand for processed and packaged foods with extended shelf life. Food acidulants play a crucial role in achieving this objective by providing acidity to preserve and extend the life of various food products.

Acidulants act as natural preservatives that inhibit the growth of microorganisms and enzymatic reactions, helping to maintain the freshness and quality of foods for longer periods. They are extensively used in canned goods, frozen foods, bakery products, beverages, and other processed foods to prevent spoilage and maintain flavor stability. As the demand for shelf-stable and ready-to-eat products continues to rise, food manufacturers increasingly turn to food acidulants as a reliable and effective solution to meet consumers' preferences for convenience and longer shelf life. This, in turn, is driving the worldwide expansion of the food acidulants market.

For instance, in June 2021, Corbion, a leading company in the food industry, completed the acquisition of Granotec Mexico S.A. de C.V., a prominent player specializing in functional blends for the Mexican bakery and fortification sectors. This strategic move has positively impacted the company's reputation and strengthened its position in the market. Thus, driving the Food Acidulants market revenue.

Food Acidulants Market Segment Insights

Food Acidulants Product Type Insights

Based on product type, the Food Acidulants market segmentation includes citric acid, lactic acid, sorbic acid, malic acid, acetic acid, and others. The citric acid segment dominated the market, accounting for 41% of market revenue (2.05 billion). The citric acid segment is expected to hold the largest market share in the food acidulants market due to its wide-ranging applications across various food and beverage products, including carbonated beverages, jams, dairy products, and confectioneries.

Due to several factors, acetic acid is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the food acidulants market. Firstly, acetic acid's versatile properties make it suitable for various food applications, such as pickling, salad dressings, and condiments, contributing to its widespread demand.

Figure 1: Food Acidulants Market by Product Type, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Primary Research, Desk Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Food Acidulants Application Insights

The Food Acidulants market segmentation, based on application, includes bakery confectionery, dairy frozen desserts, beverages, soups, sauces dressings, sweet-savory snacks and others. The bakery confectionery generated the most income (35.4%) due to the extensive use of acidulants in these products to enhance taste, texture, and shelf life. Acidulants like citric acid, lactic acid, and malic acid are commonly used in baking and confectionery to impart acidity, control pH levels, and improve overall product quality, driving their significant demand in this sector. The sweet, savory snacks segment is anticipatedto grow at the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in the food acidulants market due to the increasing consumer preference for innovative and diverse flavor profiles in snacks. Acidulants are crucial in enhancing the taste and adding tanginess to sweet and savory snacks, driving their heightened demand in this segment.

Food Acidulants Regional Insights

By region, the report gives market insights into North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Rest of the World. The North American Food Acidulants market will dominate this market due to factors such as a robust food and beverage industry, increasing demand for processed foods, and a growing trend towards natural and organic acidulants.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The US, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, the UK, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: FOOD ACIDULANTS MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion)

Source: Primary Research, Desk Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe's Food Acidulants market accounts for the second-largest market share due to its well-established food processing sector, strong demand for innovative and high-quality food products, and a growing interest in natural and clean-label ingredients among consumers. Further, the German Food Acidulants market held the largest market share, and the UK Food Acidulants market was growing at fastest CAGR in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific Food Acidulants Market is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. Asia-Pacific was growing at fastest CAGR region in the food acidulants market due to a rapidly expanding population, increasing urbanization, and rising disposable incomes, which led to higher consumption of processed foods and beverages. The growing awareness of food safety and the adoption of Western dietary preferences also contributed to the market's significant growth in this region. Moreover, China’s Food Acidulants market held the largest market share, and the Indian Food Acidulants market was growing at the fastest CAGR in the Asia-Pacific region.

Food Acidulants Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are investing heavily in R&D to enhance their product lines, which will help the Food Acidulants market grow even more. Market competitors are also undertaking strategic activities to enhance their footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, mergers and acquisitions, contractual agreements, higher investments, and partnerships with other organizations. The Food Acidulants industry must offer less costly items to enhance and survive in a more competitive market climate.

Manufacturing locally to reduces operational costs is one of the key business strategy manufacturers use in the Food Acidulants industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the Food Acidulants industry has offered some of the most significant advantages to the food industry. Major players in the Food Acidulants market, including Tate & Lyle PLC (UK), Archer Daniels Midland Company (US), Corbion Purac NV (Netherlands), RP International Limited (China), Cargill Incorporated (US), Specialty Ingredients (Malaysia), Nanjing Xiangshengtai Industry Co Ltd. (China), Hawkins Watts (New Zealand), Univar Solutions (US), FBC Industries Inc. (US), Suntran (China), Batory Foods, Inc. (US), Fuerst Day Lawson (UK) and Others are attempting to increase market demand by investing in R&D operations.

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is a prominent American multinational corporation engaged in the food processing and agricultural industries. In the realm of food acidulants, ADM plays a significant role as a leading supplier and manufacturer. The company offers various food acidulants and essential ingredients in various food and beverage products. ADM's food acidulants enhance flavors, preserve freshness, and provide a desirable level of tartness or acidity in various food applications. These acidulants find application in carbonated beverages, confectioneries, dairy products, sauces, dressings, and more. As a trusted supplier, ADM focuses on delivering high-quality, safe, and sustainable acidulants to meet the evolving demands of consumers and food manufacturers worldwide. With its strong presence and commitment to innovation, ADM continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the food acidulants market.

Tate & Lyle PLC, a British multinational company, is a key player in the food and beverage industry, offering diverse food ingredients, including food acidulants. As a leading supplier, Tate & Lyle provides a range of high-quality acidulants that serve various functions in the food manufacturing process. Tate & Lyle's food acidulants are widely used to impart acidity, enhance flavors, and improve shelf life in various food products. Their acidulants find application in beverages, baked goods, dairy products, dressings, sauces, and more. The company's commitment to innovation and sustainability allows them to cater to the changing preferences of consumers and the industry's demand for natural and clean-label ingredients. With a strong presence in the market, Tate & Lyle continues to be a reliable and sought-after supplier of food acidulants, contributing significantly to the advancement of the food and beverage sector.

Key Companies in the Food Acidulants market include

• Tate & Lyle PLC (UK)


• Archer Daniels Midland Company (US)


• Corbion Purac NV (Netherlands)


• RP International Limited (China)


• Cargill Incorporated (US)


• Specialty Ingredients (Malaysia)


• Nanjing Xiangshengtai Industry Co Ltd. (China)


• Hawkins Watts (New Zealand)


• Univar Solutions (US)


• FBC Industries Inc. (US)


• Suntran (China)


• Batory Foods, Inc. (US)


• Fuerst Day Lawson (UK)

Food Acidulants Industry Developments

November 2021: KPS Capital Partners, a US-based investment company, acquired a majority stake in Tate & Lyle for USD 1.7 billion. With this acquisition, KPS Capital Partners gains operational control over Tate & Lyle's significant business operations in Latin America and North America, aiming to expand its presence and business in these regions.

June 2021: Corbion, a leading company in the food industry, completed the acquisition of Granotec Mexico S.A. de C.V., a prominent player specializing in functional blends for the Mexican bakery and fortification sectors. This strategic move has positively impacted the company's reputation and strengthened its position in the market. Thus, driving the Food Acidulants market revenue.

March 2021: Tate & Lyle PLC announced plans to construct a new biomass boiler at its acidulants plant in Santa Rosa, Brazil. The primary objectives of this project are to lessen greenhouse gas emissions and increase the overall efficiency of plant operations.

Food Acidulants Market Segmentation

Food Acidulants Product Type Outlook

• Citric Acid


• Lactic Acid


• Sorbic Acid


• Malic Acid


• Acetic Acid


• Others

Food Acidulants Application Outlook

• Bakery Confectionery


• Dairy Frozen Desserts


• Beverages


• Soups


• Sauces Dressings


• Sweet Savory Snacks


• Others

Food Acidulants Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America