Flavor Enhancer Market Report 2026

The flavor enhancer market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $11.24 billion in 2025 to $11.97 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in processed and convenience food consumption, rising demand for taste consistency, expansion of packaged food manufacturing, widespread use of MSG and yeast extracts, increasing urbanization and lifestyle changes.

The flavor enhancer market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $15 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for natural flavor solutions, increasing regulatory scrutiny on synthetic additives, expansion of plant-based food consumption, growing investments in food ingredient innovation, rising focus on health-oriented taste enhancement. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for clean-label flavor enhancers, rising use of natural and yeast-based enhancers, growing adoption of low-sodium taste solutions, expansion of plant-based flavor ingredients, enhanced focus on flavor optimization in processed foods.

The growing need for processed meals is expected to propel the growth of the flavor enhancer market going forward. Processed meals are pre-packaged dishes cooked or prepared in advance, often requiring minimal preparation before consumption. With the rise of dual-income households and busy lifestyles, consumers are seeking quick and easy meal options that can be prepared with minimal effort without compromising taste or nutrition, making processed meals a popular choice. Flavor enhancers help reduce the need for excessive salt or sugar while maintaining taste, thereby supporting longer shelf life and consistent quality in processed meals. For instance, in May 2024, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), a US-based government agency for agricultural trade data, in 2023, the value of U.S. processed-food exports increased by 0.2% year-over-year to $14.73 billion, marking a record high for the third straight year. The top export destinations were Canada with US $6.3 billion and Mexico with US $2.2 billion, together accounting for 57% of all processed-food exports in 2023. Therefore, the growing need for processed meals is driving the flavor enhancer market.

Major companies operating in the flavor enhancer market are focusing on developing innovative solutions such as peptide-based umami enhancers to improve taste naturally and meet clean-label consumer demands. Peptide-based umami enhancers are natural flavor compounds obtained by breaking down proteins into short peptides, which intensify savory (umami) taste, enhance overall flavor complexity, reduce the need for added salt or artificial additives, and support healthier, low-sodium product formulations. For instance, in September 2025, Angel Yeast Co. Ltd., a China-based yeast and fermentation-ingredients producer, launched a next-generation flavor booster featuring a peptide-based umami enhancer at Fi India 2025. This product delivers instant umami flavor with a well-rounded savory profile and long-lasting aftertaste, helping food manufacturers reduce sodium and synthetic flavor usage while maintaining taste depth in soups, sauces, ready meals, meat alternatives, plant-based foods, snacks, and other processed foods.

In December 2023, Robertet Group, a French company renowned for producing natural raw materials in the fragrance and flavor industry, acquired Sonarome for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition strengthens Robertet's capabilities in flavor development, positioning it as a key player in the vibrant markets of India and Asia. Sonarome, based in India, specializes in the creation, manufacturing, and distribution of flavors and fragrances, including enhancers for flavor profiles.

Major companies operating in the flavor enhancer market are Cargill, Associated British Foods PLC, DuPont de Nemours Inc., International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Fermenish SA, Fufeng Group, Novozymes A/S, Eppen Biotech Co. Ltd., Mane SA, Tate & Lyle PLC, Corbion N.V., Sensient Technologies Corporation, Takasago International Corporation, Angel Yeast Co. Ltd, Meihua Holdings Group Co. Ltd., Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Lycored, Lesaffre Et Compagnie, MOGUNTIA FOOD GROUP AG, Innova Flavors, Nikken Foods Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the flavor enhancer market in 2025, and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the flavor enhancer market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the flavor enhancer market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The flavor enhancer market consists of sales of monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, nucleotides, salt substitutes, and amino acids. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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