Summary：
China’s citric acid exports rose 1.7% (691k tons) Jan-Jul 2025, yet revenue crashed 22.1% amid a 23.4% price drop. Citrates defied trends with 14.6% volume growth. COFCO, BBCA, and Arshine drive capacity expansion (e.g., 50k-ton plant). Fumaric acid stabilized at ¥18/kg, while lactic acid fluctuated ±3%. Global food acidulants hit $6.97B (+8.5%), but U.S. tariffs raised acetic acid costs 15%, accelerating SEA production shifts.
I. Import-Export Data
1. Declining Volume and Value in Citric Acid Exports
From January to July 2025, China’s cumulative citric acid exports reached 691,000 tons, a slight year-on-year increase of 1.7%. However, export value fell by 22.1% to 474 million USD, with the average price dropping 23.4% to 686/ton. In July alone, exports fell by 1.9% year-on-year to 91,400 tons, with an export value of 61.10 million USD at 667.83/ton. The decline rate has moderated compared to H1 2025.
2. Strong Growth in Citrate Exports
Over the same period, citrate exports surged by 14.6% year-on-year to 182,000 tons, generating 163 million USD in revenue. The average price was 898/ton, primarily driven by demand growth in the baking and dairy industries.
II. Corporate Project Updates
1. COFCO Meat Launches Centralized Procurement for Acidifiers
COFCO Meat’s 2025 centralized tender for feed functional additives (including acidulants) commenced, with planned procurement value of approximately ¥170 million CNY ($23.4 million USD). Deliveries will cover all its feed factories through December 2025.
2. BBCA Biochemical Expands International Market Presence
Anhui BBCA Biochemical promoted acidulant products such as L-Malic Acid and D-Aspartic Acid at the 2025 Guangzhou API Exhibition, securing cooperation agreements with Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern clients. Export volume is expected to grow by 30% annually.
3. Arshine Group Expands Production Capacity
Global food additive supplier Arshine Group announced a new 50,000-ton/year acidulant production line in Changsha, focused on citric and lactic acid derivatives. Operations will commence in Q1 2026, raising the company’s global market share to 8%.
III. Price Fluctuations
1. Stable Fumaric Acid Prices
Industrial-grade fumaric acid was quoted at ¥18/kg on July 2, unchanged from June. The stability is attributed to steady capacity in key production zones like Jiyuan, Henan, with exports accounting for 40% of orders.
2. Acetic Acid Prices Bottoming Out
Zhenkun New Materials (Shandong) quoted glacial acetic acid at ¥3,000/ton on July 4, up 5% month-on-month, driven by rising methanol feedstock costs and rebounding demand for acetate esters.
3. Oscillating Lactic Acid Prices
In May, food-grade lactic acid (88% content) was quoted at ¥10,500/ton, while industrial-grade (80% content) was at ¥7,500/ton. Prices fluctuated within a ±3% range in June-July due to volatility in corn starch costs.
IV. Market Trends
1. Robust Food Acidulants Market Growth
The global food acidulants market is projected to reach $6.97 billion USD in 2025, growing 8.5% year-on-year. Citric acid dominates with 45% market share, while lactic acid grows fastest (CAGR 12%), driven by plant-based beverages and clean-label trends.
2. Tariff Adjustments Reshaping Supply Chains
U.S. 2025 tariff framework adjustments raised import costs for acetic and phosphoric acids by 15%, forcing Chinese enterprises like COFCO and BBCA Biochemical to accelerate production capacity deployment in Southeast Asia (e.g., Vietnam, Thailand).
More information can be found at CCM Acidulates China Monthly Report.
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