Sorbic acid market was USD 62.2 million in 2023. Sorbic acid market had been rising at USD 13.5% per year in 2024. It had depicted the world market to be USD 70.6 million in 2025. World sales between 2025 and 2035 would be growing at a CAGR of 7% and would be USD 139 million in 2035.
Sorbic acid is also utilized as a food and beverage, cosmetics, and even pharmaceutical preservative. Sorbic acid is simple to utilize since it is employed to avert bakery food, milk, and beverages from becoming mouldy and yeast. Due to the fact that customers are looking for products that are resistant and involve minimum or no utilization of chemicals at any point, the utilization of sorbic acid as nature-based alternative preservation is on the rise.
Demand for sorbic acid is among the most dynamic drivers because of the need for food that is easy to digest and process. There is food being eaten everywhere in the world because more people are living everywhere with some cash to spend. Food ought to be safe to eat, easier to digest, and last longer so that it can use more preservatives, i.e., like sorbic acid.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Estimated Global Sorbic Acid Industry Size (2025E) | USD 70.6 million |
| Projected Global Sorbic Acid Industry Value (2035F) | USD 139 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 7% |
Sorbic acid as a cleaner-label, healthier, natural preservative to capture the growing demand for cleaner-label food. Since there is more to be done to care for what is consumed and sickness, there is a higher need for sorbic acid since it does not change the flavor or color but keeps products fresh and safe to consume.
Sustainability is also an issue in the market since companies are shifting more towards using preservatives that are not only safe to apply but also sustainable. Sorbic acid, a naturally occurring ingredient in berry form, is a biodegradable option compared to most of the other chemical preservatives, and is increasingly being chosen as its first choice.
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Following is the six-month CAGR difference table of the base year (2024) and as of the year (2025) of the global sorbic acid market.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 (2024 to 2034) | 6.6% |
| H2 (2024 to 2034) | 6.7% |
| H1 (2025 to 2035) | 6.9% |
| H2 (2025 to 2035) | 7.0% |
The report shows the dramatic change in performance and provides a snapshot from a revenue realization perspective, making it convenient for stakeholders to visualize the growth direction of the year. Half-year one, i.e., H1, is January and June. Second half, i.e., H2, is July to DecemberThe company will expand at the rate of 6.9% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) during the first half (H1) term of 2025 to 2035 and still higher at the rate of 7.0% during the next half (H2) term of the same length.
For the second half of H1 2025 to H2 2035, the rate of growth has to improve to 6.9% in the first half and at a high, sustainable level of 7.0% for the second half. In the first half (H1), the sector expanded by 30 BPS, while in the second half (H2), the company experienced additional growth of 10 BPS.
Sorbic acid usage will also be greater in the long term as it is one of the essential ingredients used to preserve food, and greater usage in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. As the industries in the world always need natural and functional preservatives on a daily basis, the demand for sorbic acid will be greater with room for the manufacturers to innovate and create based on evolving consumer needs.
Multinational Firms - They have a monstrous presence globally with the assistance of strong manufacturing bases, advanced manufacturing plants, and humongous supply chains. They spread mass food and beverage manufacturers, pharmaceutical firms, and cosmetic makers globally.
Celanese Corporation (USA), they are a leader in the chemicals and food ingredient manufacturing globally. Celanese produces high-purity sorbic acid and potassium sorbate for use in food, beverages, and personal care segments. Celanese Corporation has been a market leader for a long time as it offers quality, innovation, and sustainability. FBC Industries, food-grade preservative solution-focused, FBC Industries offers food and beverages preservatives using sorbic acid solutions.
Regional Leaders - They are established in regional markets for regional markets and provide food producers, drugs, and cosmetics. They will be priced inexpensively, be regulatory compliant, and be marketed locally. Lanya Chemical (Europe) is a European leader in the production of food additives and preservative foods.
It supplies solutions of sorbic acid to Europe's food and beverage processors. Product purity and EU compliance are their main worries. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical is one of the top producers in the world of chemical and food additive products. It makes more export-bound pharmaceutical- and food-preserving grade quality sorbic acid.
Chinese Dominant Producers - China controls the global market for sorbic acid, and Chinese producers are looking for monster, budget-cutting production. Chinese producers serve foreign and domestic markets and will remain the dominant shippers to the USA, Europe, and Asia. Wanglong Group (China) Wanglong Group is China's leading producer of sorbic acid and a global supplier to the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.
Wanglong Group is the master of gigantic production, low cost, and stable growth. Shandong Kunda Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (China), Kunda Biotechnology is a market leader in the Chinese food additive market. Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid are the company's exports from the country.
Exponential Demand for Sorbic Acid in the Meat and Seafood Market
Shift: As consumers ask for more shelf life and preservative-free food, Sorbic acid continues to be in demand in the seafood and meat market because it inhibits microbial growth, particularly mold and yeast, on an antimicrobial level.
Owing to increased pressure from customers to minimize food waste and supply fresher food items, sorbic acid has been employed as a routine additive in shelf life stabilization of ready-to-use perishable food items such as processed meat, sausages, and fish products. The market for processed meat is growing continuously across the globe, and demand for safe and reliable preservatives such as sorbic acid is rising.
Strategic Response: Kemin Industries created its sorbic acid products to manage the seafood and meat business demand by offering chilled and frozen meat with anti-spoilage protection without changing the taste and appearance of the product. Cargill used sorbic acid in its meat processing as food safety and preservation needs, i.e., sausage and deli meat, in its whole venture to offer fresh and quality products. Just as JBS USA has also adopted sorbic acid as its preservative system, a healthier mechanism of maintaining fresh meat.,
Change Needed in Sorbic Acid Based on Piling Societies Under Increasing Regulatory Pressure
Shift: The regulatory society across the world is anticipating more when it comes to preservatives in foods, and as such, safe, regulated, and approved preservatives by the consumers are necessary. Increased regulatory standards for food safety have been pushing the trend for the use of safe and functional preservatives, such as sorbic acid, that are compliant with regional food safety standards, particularly in North American and European Union nations.
With growing consumer awareness and governments imposing stricter safety measures, the suppliers themselves are inclined to take an extra step to source their preferred preservative not just for performance but also clean-label compatibility.
Strategic Response: With such changing legislation, Corbion has tried to keep their product line of sorbic acid under higher levels of food safety regulation and other international accreditations. Corbion has also promoted the safety and effectiveness of sale promotion, and various regulatory bodies across the globe have tested its product.
Lonza has also cooperated with regulatory bodies closely in order to ensure that its sorbic acid products keep pace with evolving food and beverage safety regulations, especially in low-dosage products in an attempt not to make the customers suspicious of excessive use of preservatives.
Environmental Preference towards Sorbic Acid Products
Shift: An Increase in awareness concerning the environment and sustainability has helped develop a heightened consumer desire for sustainable, environmentally friendly products. This is driving demand for green sorbic acid based on sustainability and environmental objectives in production, raw material procurement, and packaging.
orbic acid has been increasingly popular because it possesses a relatively innocuous environmental profile compared to other synthetic preservatives, and because it is biodegradable as a preservative, and thus more likely to be the first choice among environmentally conscious consumers.
Strategic Response: Other companies such as Lonza and Corbion have not hesitated to do the same by transitioning to supply green sorbic acid products with the aim of taking over the green market. Corbion sells its sorbic acid as a bio-based preservative produced from renewable feedstock, and it is even creating even greener methods of production so that it will not be harmful to the environment.
Lonza incorporated green chemistry in its process of manufacturing sorbic acid to end up with lower carbon footprint and greater food ingredient specification for environmental friendliness. This not only permits brands to communicate to consumers that value sustainability but also resonates with environmentally friendly seals such as Organic, Fair Trade, and Non-GMO.
Increase Interest in Sorbic Acid for Ready-to-Eat and Convenience Foods
Shift: Since now consumers are seeking more such foods with longer storage life and convenience in cooking, now convenience food and ready-to-eat food are employing sorbic acid as a very effective food preservative in the hope of obtaining longer storage life for food so that food could be stored and consumed more conveniently. Along with it, customers' demand for fresher and less spoiled products and in condition even after long shelf life, and sorbic acid preservatives support such a business.
Strategic Response: Large food convenience chains such as Nestlé, Hormel, and Tyson Foods greatly depend on sorbic acid to extend the shelf life of their ready-to-eat food. Nestlé applies sorbic acid in microwave meals, frozen pizzas, and frozen meals to impart freshness and flavor in consumer food to consumers seeking good food and convenience.
Hormel applied sorbic acid in its range of pre-packaged sandwiches to impart freshness and safety without the need for refrigeration. All contribute to making brands enable greater demands of convenience without compromising the quality of the product.
Increasing Application of Sorbic Acid in Packaged Snack and Baked Food
Shift: Since snacking is a highly sought-after activity and packaged snacks and baked food are increasingly popular, there is an increasing demand for preservatives that will ensure the highest shelf life of the products without any loss of flavor and texture.
Sorbic acid finds its optimum application in monitoring the growth of yeast and mold in foods such as crackers, cookies, chips, and bakery products. Greater market demand for improvement in shelf life without incorporating any artificial preservative is fuelling the usage of sorbic acid in foods like this.
Strategic Response: Mondelez International and PepsiCo are some of the companies that employ sorbic acid in baked snack food and confectionery for extended freshness. Mondelez uses sorbic acid on foods like Oreos, Ritz crackers, and other baked processed foods whose taste and texture are more enduring.
PepsiCo also uses sorbic acid on baked and salty snacks so that they will not spoil and stay fresh and crunchy at home and in the store for a longer period. All this has ensured customer satisfaction and meeting customer demand for fresh, tasty, and long-lasting snacks.
The following table shows the estimated growth rates of the top five territories expected to exhibit high consumption of sorbic acid through 2035.
| Country | CAGR, 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| USA | 5.9% |
| Germany | 6.4% |
| China | 7.7% |
| Japan | 7.1% |
| India | 8.3% |
Capacity Share Analysis of Sorbic Acid Market Regional Market Share Analysis of USA Sorbic Acid Market U. As consumers increasingly favor clean-label and minimally processed foods, manufacturers are utilizing sorbic acid for dairy, bakery, and beverage preservation.
Interest in high-purity sorbic acid for antimicrobial formulations is also driven by expansion in personal care and pharmaceutical applications.
The robust food safety regulations by the EU and consumer preference for adding non-GMO, organic preservatives in the food enable demand for the sorbic acid across the countries, including Germany. Sorbic acid is commonly used among organic baked goods, dairy, and processed meats as natural food antimicrobial agents are increasingly adopted.
Limiting artificial additives through government regulations have driven manufacturers towards the usage of eco-friendly and bio-based sorbic acid solutions.
Given the high demand for processed and packaged food products, the sorbic acid market in China is also expanding rapidly. As urban populations grow and dietary trends shift, food manufacturers are turning to sorbic acid as a preservative for sauces, dried fruits, and confectionery.
The rapidly increasing disposable income and increasing government policies regarding food safety and longer shelf-life products contribute to local manufacturers establishing sorbic acid production processes involving high-purity products for food and pharmaceuticals.
Japan sorbic acid market is driven by growing concerns for food safety, clean-label preservatives, and advanced fermentation technologies. Japanese consumers opt to use natural preservatives relative to prepared foods such as bento boxes, and traditional products like soy sauce.
Moreover, Japan is developing sorbic acid with long-lasting efficacy and safety profiles owing to recent advances in preservative technology.
The demand for longer shelf-life food products and growing consumption of packaged dairy and snack foods are contributing to the growth of the sorbic acid market in India. Sorbic acid is increasingly used in cheese, yogurt, and confectionery.
Government initiatives encouraging food safety standards and reduction of food waste have motivated manufacturers to increase the production of low-cost, high-purity sorbic acid for cost-sensitive, mass-market applications.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Food & Beverage (By Application) | 69.1% |
On the basis of application, the food and beverage segment is expected to remain prominent in the global sorbic acid market, in terms of value, representing 69.1% share of the overall sorbic acid market in the year 2025. As sorbic acid is widely used as a preservative in bakery, dairy, processed meat products and beverages, used to prolong their shelf life and preventing microbes from growing in them.
Increasing consumer preference for preservatives with chemical-free, naturally derived properties, the demand for high-purity food-grade sorbic acid has increased, thereby creating an opportunity for the sorbic acid market. To adjust to the evolving consumer needs for healthier foods and the minimally processed materials related to this trend, the food industry is responding with clean-label, non-GMO and organic certifications.
As the clean label trend continues to impact the market, manufacturers are complying with this trend through investment for sustainable and bio-based sorbic acid formulations for premium food brands. The widening portfolio of organic and preservative-free products across the bakery, dairy, and beverage sectors is likely to fuel these sentiments, thus reiterating sorbic acid’s place in the future of food preservation.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics (By Application) | 30.9% |
Because of the increasing need for paraben-free preservatives in broader categories of cosmetic, personal care product, and pharmaceutical formulations, however the pharmaceuticals & cosmetics segment is likely to retain a value share of 30.9% in 2025. A common preservative with antifungal and antimicrobial activity, sorbic acid is widely utilized in mouthwashes, topical medical products, skincare items, and dermatological formulations to inhibit microbial growth and extend shelf life.
The adoption of bio-based antimicrobial solution also propelled the market as companies dealing in cosmetics as well as pharmaceuticals are gravitating towards natural and eco-preservatives to address clean-label and sustainability needs. Increasing scientific proof on the sorbic acid capability to restrain fungi and bacteria is projected to generate as the demand for sorbic acid for medicinal and cosmetic-grade products.
Ensuring the extensive use of sorbic acid as a material in health and beauty applications, high-purity and pharmaceutical-grade sorbic acid are expected to mark its applications in dermatological formulations, ophthalmic solutions, and preservative-free products, which provides a massive opportunity.
The sorbic acid market is driven by demand for high-purity formulations, formulations with stable physico-chemical properties, and increasing application scopes in food, pharmaceutical ingredients, and personal care products. In terms of demand, corporations are also investing in sustainable production methods, bio-based sorbic acid as well as specialty preservative solutions
Sector's Global Manufacturer Overview: Numerous international corporations dominate this arena including but not limited to Celanese Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, Nantong Acetic Acid Chemical, Wanglong Group and FBC Industries, boasting the ability to manufacture conservatively at high volume and export globally. For instance, numerous companies are increasing their Asia-Pacific and North American business segments in response to increasing demand for food safety and sustainable preservatives.
Among the key strategies identified were partnerships with food and beverage manufacturers, investments in fermentation-based sorbic acid, and development of new, enhanced antimicrobial formulations. Manufacturers are also focusing on food safety standards in good manufacturing practices and sourcing sustainable ingredients.
For instance:
The global sorbic acid industry is projected to reach USD 70.6 million in 2025.
Key players include Eastman Chemical Company; Solvay; Celanese Corporation; PT Halim Sakti Pratama; QINGDAO KAISON CHEMICALS CO. Ltd; Suzhou-Chem Inc.; AVATAR CORPORATION.
Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate due to high demand for processed food preservation, expanding pharmaceutical applications, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions.
The industry is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2025 to 2035.
Key drivers include rising demand for clean-label preservatives, increasing applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals, and advancements in bio-based antimicrobial ingredient production.
The market offers products in two primary forms, Powder and Liquid, catering to diverse industrial and consumer needs.
These products are widely used across multiple industries, including Food and Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Pet Food, and Animal Feed, highlighting their versatility and broad market demand.
The market is segmented as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Central Asia, Russia and Belarus, Balkan & Baltic Countries, Middle East and Africa.
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Sorbic Acid Market
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