United Kingdom: Citric Acid Market 2024

Citric Acid Market Size in the UK

The UK citric acid market was estimated at $X in 2021, growing by 2.9% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 5% against the previous year. Citric acid consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Citric Acid Production in the UK

In value terms, citric acid production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Citric Acid Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, approx. X tons of citric acid and its salts and esters were exported from the UK; reducing by -22.5% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -35.5% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 54%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, citric acid exports rose slightly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 40%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of citric acid exports from the UK, with a combined 45% share of total exports. These countries were followed by France, Angola, the United States, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Australia, Argentina, Italy and Sweden, which together accounted for a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Angola (with a CAGR of +342.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for citric acid exported from the UK were the Netherlands ($X), Ireland ($X) and Belgium ($X), with a combined 39% share of total exports. Germany, France, the United States, Angola, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Argentina, Italy and Australia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

Angola, with a CAGR of +179.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average citric acid export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 32% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a pronounced downturn. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Spain (+10.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Citric Acid Imports

Imports into the UK

After four years of growth, purchases abroad of citric acid and its salts and esters decreased by -9.4% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 13%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, citric acid imports stood at $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 7.7%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Austria (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main suppliers of citric acid imports to the UK, with a combined 82% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Ireland, Thailand, the Netherlands and Germany, which together accounted for a further 14%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Thailand (with a CAGR of +23.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, China ($X), Austria ($X) and Belgium ($X) constituted the largest citric acid suppliers to the UK, with a combined 75% share of total imports. Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

Thailand, with a CAGR of +20.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average citric acid import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 18% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a mild downturn. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+4.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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