United States Citric Acid Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

The United States citric acid market attained a volume of 607.90 KMT in 2024. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.80% during 2025-2034 to reach a volume of 801.24 KMT by 2034.

United States Citric Acid Market Growth

Following Europe, the United States is deemed as the largest producer of citric acid on a global scale. The key substrate used in the A. Niger citric acid sector is corn steep liquor. In the United States, over 90% of the citric acid manufacturers rely on the fermentation of corn-derived glucose or dextrose. In 2023, the United States produced 15.3 billion bushels of corn.

In the personal care sector, citric acid finds application as a pH adjuster, clarifying agent, and water softener. The chelating agent in citric acid plays a role in removing hard water ions, improving the lathering and foaming characteristics of personal care products. It is also used to preserve the colour and fragrance compounds in toiletries and perfumes. In 2023, the mass market beauty sales experienced a year-over-year dollar increase of 6% and the luxury beauty segment sales reached USD 31.7 billion, growing by 14% y-o-y.

Figure: Y-o-Y % Change Based on Sales Revenue in U.S. Beauty and Personal Care Sector by Category, 2023

Key Trends and Developments

Expansion of the food and beverages sector; growing demand for cleaning products; rising use in pharmaceutical applications; and consumer demand for organic preservatives are the key trends impacting the citric acid market growth

May 22, 2024

ADM launched a new online storefront, ADMbuydirect.com, to provide accessibility and convenience to essential ingredients for producers across the U.S. food industry. Designed for a wide range of U.S. audiences, including bakers, chefs, brewers, entrepreneurs, and product manufacturers, ADMbuydirect.com enabled the access and purchase of ingredients in smaller quantities. Acidulants like citric acid, which help elevate flavor and improve stability and moisture control in a variety of applications will be available on ADMbuydirect.com.

Jun 20, 2022

Jungbunzlauer announced the launch of two new mineral salts: zinc gluconate and monomagnesium citrate. Zinc gluconate was derived from the neutralization of gluconic acid with a high-purity zinc source, while monomagnesium citrate was a partly neutralized magnesium salt of citric acid.

Citric acid is used as a preservative in the food and beverages sector

The food industry uses citric acid as a preservative in packaged, jarred, processed, and canned food to extend its shelf life. As of 2024, the USA’s food and beverage sector accounts for 5% of the country’s GDP.

The ban on phosphate-based cleaning agents aids the demand for citric acid

Synthetic phosphates in detergents pose risks to human, animal, and environmental health. States like Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Massachusetts have banned high-phosphate dishwasher detergents. This provides an opportunity for citric acid in the detergent industry to replace phosphate due to its lower eutrophic effect.

Citric acid plays a crucial role in the pharmaceutical sector

Citric acid enhances flavor in medicines and syrups, reduces bitterness, and serves as a pH adjustor and stabilizer. As of 2024, the USA is the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing nation in the world, producing medicines worth USD 516 billion.

Rising demand for organic preservatives

Citric acid is considered a key organic acid extensively used in the food and beverage sector. Customers are increasingly on the lookout for healthier and more sustainable options. As of 2023, it is reported that about 6% of the total food sales in the United States is composed of organic foods. Additionally, in 2022, organic beverages in the United States reported USD 9 billion in sales, an increase of 4% from 2021.

United States Citric Acid Market Trends

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized citric acid as safe and is permitted its use in the food manufacturing sector according to the current GMP without setting an upper limit. The production of citric acid by recovery from sources such as lemon or pineapple juice, by mycological fermentation using Candida spp, and by the solvent extraction process for the recovery of citric acid from Aspergillus niger fermentation liquor is affirmed by the FDA, significantly increasing its adoption in food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and personal care sectors.

The rising prioritisation of wellness and personal care among the American population is driving the adoption of beauty and personal care products. The United States is among the top producers of beauty products on a global scale. In 2023, American customers spent USD 94.36 billion on beauty and cosmetics. In the skincare formulations, citric acid acts as a protective antioxidant and provides corrective antiaging effects helping reverse the signs of photodamage. Moreover, it exfoliates the upper layer of dead skin cells aiding in cleaning pores and softening the skin.

United States Citric Acid Industry Segmentation

“United States Citric Acid Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Form

• Anhydrous
• Food and Beverages
• Household Detergents and Cleaners
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others
• Monohydrate
• Food and Beverages
• Pharmaceuticals
• Personal Care
• Agriculture
• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• New England
• Mideast
• Great Lakes
• Plains
• Southeast
• Southwest
• Rocky Mountain
• Far West

Based on form, anhydrous accounts for a significant share of the market

The anhydrous form of citric acid is odorless, has a sour taste, and appears as a white crystalline solid. According to the FDA Select Committee on Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) food substances, citrate salts, including citric acid, are deemed safe when used in normal quantities, leading to their widespread use in food and beverages.

Citric acid monohydrate is a colourless liquid that is completely miscible in water. The USP food grade ingredients such as citric acid in the United States is manufactured as per strict quality standards to ensure purity, consistency, and safety for incorporation in food and beverages.

Leading Players in the United States Citric Acid Market

The market players are focused on offering products at competitive prices and high quality, with improved customer services.

Cargill, Incorporated

Cargill is a global leader in providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products. Founded in 1865, the company sells ingredients, finished solutions, and services to manufacturers, food service customers, and retailers. Cargill operates in 70 countries, with a workforce of over 160,000 employees worldwide.

Archer Daniels Midland Company

ADM is a global leader in the nutrition industry. The company transforms natural products into essential foods, renewable industrial products, and a wide array of food and beverage ingredients. Founded in 1902, ADM operates on six continents, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, with a workforce of 42,000 employees.

Tate & Lyle PLC

Headquartered in the UK, Tate & Lyle is a leading specialty food and beverage solutions business renowned globally for its expertise in sweetening, mouthfeel, and fortification. The company operates in 121 countries, maintains 58 plants, offices, and Customer Innovation and Collaboration Centres, with a workforce of 3,318 employees.

Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG

Jungbunzlauer specializes in biodegradable key ingredients of natural origin and is one of the world's leading producers in this field. Their extensive portfolio includes citrics, gluconates, lactics, special salts, biogums, and other products. Headquartered in Switzerland, Jungbunzlauer serves customers in more than 130 countries, supported by a workforce of over 1,300 employees worldwide.

Other notable players operating in the United States citric acid market are MP Biomedicals, LLC, and Hawkins, Inc, among others.

United States Citric Acid Market Analysis by Region

As of 2022, California had the presence of 16,576 life sciences establishments, significantly supporting the market. Additionally, California is home to a large number of food and beverage manufacturing plants of 6,301 (As of 2021), increasing the use of citric acid as a flavouring agent and preservative.

In September 2022, Oklahoma’s plans to become a national pharmaceutical manufacturing hub were strengthened by a USD 35 million federal Economic Development Administration grant, supporting the market for citric acid. In 2021, Texas had the presence of 2,782 food and beverage manufacturing plants.

United States Citric Acid Market Trends

United States Citric Acid Companies

United States Citric Acid Market Regional Analysis