[Introduction] Citric acid exports maintained a high momentum in the first quarter of 2026, increasing by 9.1% quarter-on-quarter and decreasing slightly by 2.1% year-on-year. India was China's largest trading partner for citric acid, accounting for 11.4% of exports. With the slowdown in overseas order signings and weakening demand expectations in the second quarter, citric acid exports are expected to decline somewhat.
Citric acid export data for the first quarter over the past five years has shown an inverted "N"-shaped trend. According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, citric acid exports in the first quarter of 2026 totaled 349,900 tons, a slight decrease of 2.1% year-on-year, but an increase of 14.8% from the low point in 2024; the average quarterly export price was US$659.71/ton, a decrease of 0.7% year-on-year, and a decrease of 61.83% from the high point in 2022. Following the public health event, with the recovery of overseas production and the release of new domestic capacity, the citric acid market experienced a loose supply and demand situation, and the average price gradually declined. However, after reaching the low point of 2024, companies are constrained by costs and losses, limiting further price declines.
Analysis of Citric Acid Export Registration Locations in the First Quarter
East China is the main production area and export registration location for citric acid in China, comprising Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces. According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs, in the first quarter of 2026, Shandong Province exported 285,900 tons, accounting for 81.71% of total citric acid exports, ranking first, although its share decreased by 0.65% year-on-year. Jiangsu Province exported 18,700 tons, ranking second, accounting for 5.33% of total citric acid exports, a decrease of 0.24% year-on-year. Anhui Province exported 7,900 tons, accounting for 2.26% of total citric acid exports, a decrease of 1.09% year-on-year. In recent years, Jilin Province's exports have increased year by year, reaching 15,200 tons in the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 4.34% of total citric acid exports, an increase of 0.74 percentage points year-on-year. Overall, Shandong, as the largest production area, saw a slight decrease in its export share; conversely, Jilin Province and Shanghai Municipality saw a slight rebound in their export shares.
Analysis of Citric Acid Export Trading Partners in the First Quarter of 2026
Asia and Europe are the main export regions for China's citric acid. In recent years, China's main citric acid export trading partners have been India, Russia, Mexico, Japan, and Pakistan. In the first quarter of 2026, India maintained its leading position with imports of 40,000 tons, but this represented a significant decline compared to the previous year, a decrease of 21.68%, accounting for 11.44% of China's total exports. Russia's imports reached 26,600 tons, a year-on-year increase of 134.83%, accounting for 7.60% of China's total exports. Pakistan's imports reached 14,800 tons, a year-on-year increase of 20.42%, accounting for 4.24% of China's total exports, making it one of the countries with steadily increasing citric acid imports in recent years. In the first quarter of 2026, imports from major countries such as India, Mexico, and Japan declined year-on-year, with India experiencing the most significant drop. Conversely, imports from Russia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands increased year-on-year. Overall, China's citric acid exports remained high in the first quarter of 2026, with significant increases from some new trading partners.
Citric acid exports are expected to decline quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter.
Based on the seasonal patterns of citric acid exports over the past eight years, the second quarter has seen a decrease in exports in 4-8 years, indicating downward pressure on exports. Stimulated by the sustained price increases in the first quarter, citric acid producers increased their operating rates. However, the domestic downstream market showed reduced enthusiasm for purchasing at high prices. Furthermore, with overseas markets fulfilling previous orders, the second quarter saw a period of restocking and inventory digestion by end-users, leading to weakened purchasing intentions, fewer inquiries, and increased willingness to lower prices. This weakening export trend is gradually transmitting to the domestic market, potentially easing the supply-demand balance and negatively impacting prices. Citric acid exports are projected to decline quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter, estimated at around 300,000 tons, a year-on-year decrease of approximately 14%.
Source: Zhuo Chuang Information