Erucic Acid Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2020-2030F

The Global Erucic Acid Market was valued at 260 thousand tons in 2024 and is projected to reach 321.67 thousand tons by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.81% during the forecast period. The market’s expansion is driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, evolving consumer preferences, and rising demand from diverse industries including food and beverage, personal care and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and various industrial applications. Though erucic acid occupies a niche within the broader oleochemicals industry, it has demonstrated steady growth due to increasing industrial utility and growing interest in bio-based, sustainable ingredients.

Erucic acid, also known as docosenoic acid, is a long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid primarily derived from rapeseed oil, mustard seed oil, and other vegetable oils. It is widely used as a food additive and emulsifier in products like margarine, baked goods, and spreads. In personal care, it serves as an emollient in skincare and haircare formulations, while in pharmaceuticals, it functions as a base in topical ointments and creams. The demand for environmentally friendly, functional ingredients is expected to sustain the market’s growth trajectory in the coming years.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Demand of Erucic Acid in Food & Beverage Industry

The food and beverage industry continues to be a major driver of growth in the global erucic acid market, as this ingredient gains traction for its functional attributes and diverse applications. As of 2022, the Food & Drink market generated revenues of USD 2.00 billion, with erucic acid emerging as a valuable component due to its exceptional oxidative stability and ability to enhance product longevity by preventing rancidity.

Primarily sourced from high-erucic acid rapeseed oil, it is used in a variety of food products including baked goods, snacks, spreads, sauces, and dressings for its ability to improve texture and mouthfeel. Mustard oil, for instance, contains approximately 42.8% erucic acid, contributing to its functional strength in food applications. In contrast, canola oil - developed to contain less than 2% erucic acid - offers a low-erucic option preferred for edible uses. The multifunctional properties of erucic acid and its role in product stability and quality are making it increasingly desirable in the formulation of processed and packaged foods.

Key Market Challenges

Limited Consumer Awareness of Erucic Acid

A key challenge facing the global erucic acid market is the limited consumer awareness regarding the ingredient’s safety and benefits. In industries such as food, cosmetics, and personal care - where ingredient transparency and health implications heavily influence purchasing behavior - consumer familiarity plays a critical role. Many consumers remain unaware of what erucic acid is, which can lead to skepticism and reluctance to accept products containing it.

This lack of understanding presents a barrier to market growth, especially for brands striving to promote erucic acid-based products. Without adequate education on its benefits and safety profile, the potential for consumer resistance increases. Therefore, manufacturers must invest in targeted educational and marketing campaigns to improve public perception and confidence. Collaborative efforts between producers, regulatory authorities, and industry stakeholders are necessary to dispel misconceptions and reinforce erucic acid’s value across applications through transparent, evidence-based communication.

Key Market Trends

Growing Demand for Sustainable Ingredients

Sustainability is becoming a defining trend in the global erucic acid market, as both consumers and industries shift toward environmentally responsible sourcing and production. Despite rising living costs, consumers are showing a growing willingness to pay a premium - averaging 9.7% - for sustainably produced goods. Erucic acid, derived from renewable sources like high-erucic rapeseed oil, stands out as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based compounds, thanks to its low toxicity and biodegradability.

Regulatory pressures to reduce emissions and reliance on non-renewable resources are also motivating industries such as cosmetics, personal care, lubricants, plastics, and agriculture to adopt bio-based alternatives. In the personal care segment, the clean beauty movement is driving demand for plant-derived ingredients that align with sustainability goals. Erucic acid satisfies these criteria while also delivering emollient and conditioning benefits, making it a favored component in modern, eco-conscious product formulations.

Key Market Players

• Bunge Limited
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Perdue Farms
• Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
• Godrej Industries Limited
• Wilmar International Limited

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Erucic Acid Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

Erucic Acid Market, By Source:

• Rapeseed Oil
• Canola
• Tame Mustard
• Fish
• Others

Erucic Acid Market, By Grade:

• Low
• High

Erucic Acid Market, By Application:

• Plastic
• Printing Ink
• Personal Care
• Rubber
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

Erucic Acid Market, By Region:

• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Erucic Acid Market.

Available Customizations:

With the given market data, the publisher offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report.

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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