Sodium Citrate, primarily appearing as Trisodium Citrate (E331), is the sodium salt of citric acid. It acts variously as a buffering agent, acidity regulator, emulsifier, and preservative. Its distinct saline, slightly tart flavor makes it a ubiquitous ingredient in carbonated beverages (like club soda), jams, jellies, and processed cheeses. Beyond food, it serves critical roles in medicine (as an anticoagulant in blood transfusion and an antacid) and in industrial detergents (as an eco-friendly builder replacing phosphates).
The market is commoditized but essential. Production is fermentation-based, typically using corn or carbohydrate substrates to produce citric acid, which is then neutralized with sodium hydroxide. The global landscape is heavily influenced by trade policies, as China dominates global production, leading to various anti-dumping measures in the US, Brazil, and Europe.
Monosodium/Disodium: Used in specialized buffering applications.
Anhydrous: Preferred where moisture control is critical.
Healthcare: Critical as an anticoagulant for blood storage and in hemodialysis.
Detergents: Growing rapidly as a "green" builder, replacing phosphates that cause eutrophication in water bodies.
Personal Care: Buffering agent in shampoos and cosmetics.
Fermentation: Aspergillus niger mold fermentation produces citric acid.
Neutralization: Citric acid is reacted with caustic soda.
Corporate Moves: The industry is seeing structural changes. Tate & Lyle sold its remaining stake in Primient in June 2024, creating a fully independent plant-based ingredient giant focusing on this value chain.
Cargill & ADM: US giants dominating the North American protected market.
Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG: A premium European manufacturer known for high quality and sustainability.
Cambodia Wangkang Biochemical: An example of supply chain diversification into Southeast Asia.
Primient: The newly independent entity (formerly part of Tate & Lyle) focusing on corn wet milling products.
Niran Thailand & COFCO: Major Asian players integrated with agricultural processing.
Challenges: Geopolitical trade friction is the defining challenge. Anti-dumping duties in the US and Brazil force supply chain realignments (e.g., Chinese companies building plants in Thailand or Cambodia). Raw material volatility (corn prices) also impacts profitability.
This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.
The market is commoditized but essential. Production is fermentation-based, typically using corn or carbohydrate substrates to produce citric acid, which is then neutralized with sodium hydroxide. The global landscape is heavily influenced by trade policies, as China dominates global production, leading to various anti-dumping measures in the US, Brazil, and Europe.
Market Size and Growth Forecast
The global Sodium Citrate market is forecasted to reach 2.5 billion to 2.9 billion USD by 2026, expanding at a CAGR of 4.5% to 5.5% through 2031. Growth is steady, tracking the global processed food and beverage industry, with additional upside from the pharmaceutical and eco-friendly detergent sectors.Regional Analysis
Asia Pacific: The production powerhouse. China accounts for the majority of global exports.- RZBC GROUP CO. LTD.: A massive capacity of 80,000 tons/year for sodium citrate alone.
- Cambodia Wangkang Biochemical Co. Ltd.: Represents the "China Plus One" strategy, with a capacity of 30,000 tons/year, mitigating tariff risks.
- Regional CAGR: 5.0% to 6.0%.
- Trade Defense: The US Dept of Commerce initiated a third sunset review on Citric Acid and Citrate Salts from China in Dec 2025, maintaining high tariffs. This benefits domestic players like Cargill and ADM.
- Regional CAGR: 3.5% to 4.5%.
South America:
- Trade Defense: Brazil (GECEX) issued a final ruling in Oct 2023 on anti-dumping reviews against Chinese imports, influencing local sourcing strategies.
- Regional CAGR: 4.0% to 5.0%.
Type Analysis
Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate: The most common commercial form, used extensively in food.Monosodium/Disodium: Used in specialized buffering applications.
Anhydrous: Preferred where moisture control is critical.
Application Analysis
Food & Beverage: The largest segment. Used to control acidity in sodas and as an emulsifying salt in cheese slices (preventing oil separation).Healthcare: Critical as an anticoagulant for blood storage and in hemodialysis.
Detergents: Growing rapidly as a "green" builder, replacing phosphates that cause eutrophication in water bodies.
Personal Care: Buffering agent in shampoos and cosmetics.
Industry Value Chain Analysis
The chain starts with carbohydrate sources (corn, sugar beet, cassava). Substrate costs (corn prices) are the primary cost driver.Fermentation: Aspergillus niger mold fermentation produces citric acid.
Neutralization: Citric acid is reacted with caustic soda.
Corporate Moves: The industry is seeing structural changes. Tate & Lyle sold its remaining stake in Primient in June 2024, creating a fully independent plant-based ingredient giant focusing on this value chain.
Key Market Players
RZBC GROUP CO. LTD.: A leading Chinese exporter with massive scale (80k tons).Cargill & ADM: US giants dominating the North American protected market.
Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG: A premium European manufacturer known for high quality and sustainability.
Cambodia Wangkang Biochemical: An example of supply chain diversification into Southeast Asia.
Primient: The newly independent entity (formerly part of Tate & Lyle) focusing on corn wet milling products.
Niran Thailand & COFCO: Major Asian players integrated with agricultural processing.
Market Opportunities and Challenges
Opportunities: The global push for phosphate-free detergents offers a structural growth avenue for sodium citrate. Additionally, the "Clean Label" trend in food favors Citrates over artificial preservatives like benzoates.Challenges: Geopolitical trade friction is the defining challenge. Anti-dumping duties in the US and Brazil force supply chain realignments (e.g., Chinese companies building plants in Thailand or Cambodia). Raw material volatility (corn prices) also impacts profitability.
This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Executive SummaryChapter 2: Abbreviation and Acronyms
Chapter 3: Preface
Chapter 4: Market Landscape
Chapter 5: Market Trend Analysis
Chapter 6: Industry Chain Analysis
Chapter 7: Latest Market Dynamics
Chapter 8: Trading Analysis
Chapter 9: Historical and Forecast Sodium Citrate Market in North America (2021-2031)
Chapter 10: Historical and Forecast Sodium Citrate Market in South America (2021-2031)
Chapter 11: Historical and Forecast Sodium Citrate Market in Asia & Pacific (2021-2031)
Chapter 12: Historical and Forecast Sodium Citrate Market in Europe (2021-2031)
Chapter 13: Historical and Forecast Sodium Citrate Market in MEA (2021-2031)
Chapter 14: Summary for Global Sodium Citrate Market (2021-2026)
Chapter 15: Global Sodium Citrate Market Forecast (2026-2031)
Chapter 16: Analysis of Global Key Vendors
List of Tables and Figures
Companies Mentioned
- Cargill Incorporated
- Primary Products Investments LLC
- ADM
- Gadot Biochemical Industries Ltd
- Citribel
- Sucroal S.A.
- Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG
- NIRAN Thailand Ltd.
- Daffodil Pharmachem Pvt. Ltd.
- Thai Citric Acid Co. Ltd.
- San Fu Chemical Co. Ltd.
- Fuso Chemical Co. Ltd.
- COFCO Biochemical Co. Ltd.
- Cambodia Wangkang Biochemical Co. Ltd.
- RZBC GROUP CO. LTD.
- Jiangsu Guoxin Union Energy Co. Ltd.
- TTCA Co. LTD
- Shandong Ensign Industry Co. Ltd.
- Huangshi Xinghua Biochemical Co. Ltd.
