[Introduction] Citric acid exports continued their upward trend in 2025, with a total export volume of 1.263 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 1.38%. India was China's largest trading partner for citric acid, accounting for 11.29% of exports. Citric acid exports are expected to remain high in 2026, but the year-on-year growth rate will slow down, with an increase of about 1.0%.
Looking at the citric acid export data over the past five years, China's citric acid exports showed a fluctuating upward trend from 2021 to 2025. According to data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, in 2021-2022, global supply chain disruptions led to a decline in overseas citric acid production. However, the recovery of global consumption after the pandemic, coupled with insufficient supply of some substitutes, increased the rigid demand for citric acid. These changes in demand further strengthened the international market's reliance on Chinese citric acid, driving export growth. Exports increased from 1.067 million tons in 2020 to 1.228 million tons in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 15.1%. In 2023, as the impact of the pandemic subsided, the citric acid export market gradually returned to rationality, falling to 1.173 million tons. A slight rebound occurred in 2024, with exports reaching 1.246 million tons, but the average export price dropped to US$680.63 per ton.
Exports continued their upward trend in 2025, reaching 1.263 million tons, with an average annual growth rate of 6.27% over five years and a compound annual growth rate of 6.02% since 2020. The peak export season for citric acid is concentrated in March-May and the fourth quarter. Exports from March to May 2025 totaled 358,700 tons, accounting for 28.4% of the annual total, a 16.57% increase year-on-year, mainly due to advance stockpiling in European and American markets to prepare for the summer beverage consumption peak. Exports in the fourth quarter of 2024 reached 362,600 tons, accounting for 29% of the annual total. While exports in the fourth quarter of 2025 rebounded compared to the third quarter, the core driver was increased demand for holiday stockpiling such as Christmas and New Year's, but the total volume was only 320,800 tons, a 11.53% decrease year-on-year.
Analysis of Citric Acid Export Registration Locations in 2025
Specifically, the registration locations of China's citric acid exports are largely consistent with the distribution of domestic citric acid production capacity and major export destinations. According to data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, China's total citric acid exports in 2025 reached 1.263 million tons. Shandong Province exported 1.047 million tons, accounting for 82.86% of the total exports, a decrease of 0.43 percentage points compared to the same period last year. Jiangsu Province exported 71,700 tons, accounting for 5.68% of the total exports, a decrease of 1.29 percentage points compared to the same period last year. Jilin Province exported 49,700 tons, accounting for 3.94% of the total exports, an increase of 1.47% compared to the same period last year.
Analysis of Citric Acid Export Trading Partners in 2025
Asia and Europe are the main export destinations for China's citric acid (salts), with major trading partners including India, Mexico, Russia, and Japan. According to data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, China's total citric acid exports in 2025 reached 1.263 million tons, an increase of 1.36% year-on-year. India remained the top importer with 142,500 tons, accounting for 11.29% of China's total citric acid exports, an increase of 8.22% year-on-year. Mexico imported 62,800 tons of citric acid from China, ranking second, accounting for 4.97% of China's total citric acid exports, a decrease of 16.61% year-on-year. Russia imported 53,200 tons of citric acid from China, ranking third, accounting for 4.21% of China's total citric acid exports, a decrease of 33.75% year-on-year.
In 2025, among China's major trading partners for citric acid exports, the import share of citric acid increased in India, Japan, the Netherlands, and Germany, rising by 0.72, 0.11, 0.76, and 0.47 percentage points year-on-year, respectively; while the import share of Mexico, Russia, and Poland declined by 1.07, 2.24, and 0.08 percentage points, respectively. With most countries increasing their import share of citric acid from China, the export situation for citric acid continued to improve in 2025.
Citric acid exports are expected to rebound slightly in 2026.
Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America have large populations, and their demand for food and beverages, daily chemical products, and pharmaceuticals continues to rise, providing ample room for the development of the citric acid industry. It is estimated that over 70% of citric acid production capacity will be exported in 2026, further consolidating China's global supply position. Furthermore, the average annual corn price in 2026 is projected to be 2231.08 yuan/ton, a 0.41% increase compared to 2025. With little change in corn costs year-on-year, citric acid prices are unlikely to fluctuate significantly, and China's advantages in citric acid supply and price remain evident. However, the slow recovery of the international economic situation, coupled with potential impacts from trade policies in some regions on the Chinese market, suggests that citric acid exports in 2026 will remain high but with limited growth, estimated at 1.275 million tons.
Source: Zhuo Chuang Information)