Summary: This article presents the latest on acidified products in China. Citric acid is notable in imports and exports. Anhui Huahong has a new route for DL - malic acid. For 2024 - 2025, food acidulants will see growing demand, especially special ones in functional foods. Feed acidulants' demand will rise due to livestock industry growth and antibiotic restrictions. Acidulants will increase in medical use. In environmental protection, there's growing attention on eco-friendly acidulants and demand for soil acidification treatment products to achieve sustainable agriculture.

Latest industry news of acidified products in China.

1.Hot-selling product categories:

In the field of citric acid:

The overall production capacity of citric acid tends to be stable, at about 2.6 million tons per year. The current operating rate is 65%. The upstream production is normal, the supply is stable, and the inventory is sufficient. However, the downstream demand is flat. Buyers such as food processing enterprises have average enthusiasm for taking goods, mostly holding a wait-and-see attitude and purchasing as they sell. The demand growth of downstream industries such as food and beverages is slow, making it difficult to pull the price of citric acid. The export rhythm has also slowed down. In October 2024, the prices of citric acid monohydrate in Shandong, Shanghai, and Henan are respectively in specific ranges. In June 2024, the total import and export volume of citric acid in China reached 68.8931 million US dollars, almost all contributed by exports, and imports accounted for only 0.75%. The main sources of imports are Thailand, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, China. Shandong has the largest import volume. The main export destinations are countries such as India, Mexico, and Russia. Shandong is also a major export province.

Data source：custom.gov.

In the field of malic acid:

On June 13, 2024, Anhui Huahong Biotechnology Co., Ltd. applied for a method titled "A method for preparing DL - malic acid using L - malic acid fermentation mother liquor", opening up a new synthesis route. It reduces the dependence on fossil resources and increases the value of fermentation mother liquor. The prepared DL - malic acid has a high yield and good purity.

2.Technology research and development and new products:

On June 5, experts organized by the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology appraised the achievement of "Research and Application of New Technologies and New Products for Feed Acidulants" jointly completed by Sichuan Xukekeji Company, Sichuan Provincial Animal Husbandry Academy, and Sichuan Kechuang Feed Industry Technology Research Institute. This project has innovated in aspects such as coating materials for acidulants, selection of synergists, formulation optimization, and application technologies, achieved industrialized production, and has achieved remarkable promotion results.

3.Enterprise dynamics:

Some enterprises are continuously expanding product lines and markets. For example, the animal health protection industry of Yantai Jinhai Pharmaceutical has opened an online channel, showing its development layout.

Some acidulant products are concerned and repurchased by farmers. For example, on the Douyin platform, farmers repurchase products such as Hukang acid and Huzikang No. 2.

Development trends in the next two years:

Looking ahead, in the second half of 2024 and 2025, acidified products will show different development trends in multiple fields.

1.Food acidulants:

The market size is expected to maintain a stable growth trend. By 2029, the global food acidulant market size will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.95%. Acidulants with special functions or more suitable for specific food processing technologies may appear, and their applications in fields such as functional foods and health foods will gradually expand.

2.Feed and medical acidulants:

Feed acidulants can improve feed quality, animal digestion and absorption ability, and health levels. The market demand continues to increase. In the context of the country's restriction on the use of antibiotics in feed, as one of the substitutes for antibiotics, the demand is expected to further increase. In the medical field, the application of acidulants is gradually increasing. They can be used as catalysts for acidification reactions in drug synthesis or as stabilizers and solubilizers for drugs.

3.Protection field:

The problem of soil acidification is becoming increasingly serious, affecting agricultural production and the ecological environment. The demand for acidulant products or soil conditioners for soil acidification treatment may increase. These products can adjust soil pH, improve soil structure, and increase soil fertility, helping to achieve sustainable agricultural development. Acidulant products with green production processes and biodegradability will have greater market potential.

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