At a Glance
- Imports shape US supply: domestic citric acid manufacturing has declined, so many buyers source imported material through distributors.
- Seven routes, two producers: among the citric acid suppliers and distributors below, Cargill and Jungbunzlauer make it. The rest distribute, supply or source it.
- Origin changes the cost: anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders cover citric acid from China, and anti-dumping orders cover Thailand and Colombia.
- Form and grade must match: anhydrous and monohydrate differ in water content, and FCC and USP documents differ from technical grade.
- This is a shortlist, not a ranking: the right route depends on form, grade, origin, pack and destination.
What you’ll learn:
You’ll learn how to tell producers from distributors and check origin and duty exposure.
You’ll also get the grade, document and RFQ checks that make quotes comparable.
Introduction
Citric acid looks simple on a quote sheet. The risk sits underneath: the wrong form, an undocumented lot or an origin that carries duties.
US demand leans on imports. EPA’s supply chain profile says domestic manufacturing has declined and demand is increasingly met by imports. It also ranks the US as the world’s second-largest importer in 2021.
This guide helps buyers compare citric acid suppliers and distributors in the US. It shows who makes the product, where distributors fit and which checks make quotes comparable. Start with your form and grade, then choose a route.
Request a Quote with your form, grade, volume and destination to start a documented review.
Who supplies citric acid in the USA?
Cargill and Jungbunzlauer are the two citric acid manufacturers on this list. Cargill produces citric acid by fermentation. Jungbunzlauer Inc serves the US from Newton, Massachusetts, and its citric acid is made in Port Colborne, Ontario. Every other company here distributes, supplies or sources it.
How this list was selected
We screened each company against five gates: a first-party source, a stated commercial role, a US delivery route, a stated form or pack, and a quote or documentation path. All seven companies passed. Inclusion is a starting point. It is not a promise of stock, certification or price.
Role evidence last checked: 5 October 2026. Ranges and certifications change, so confirm them when you issue an RFQ.
Why Elchemy is listed first. Elchemy publishes this guide, so weigh that. We list it first for one reason. With domestic manufacturing declining, imports and second sources are normal in US supply, and that is the role Elchemy plays. It is a sourcing partner, not a US producer. The other six companies follow in alphabetical order. The order is not a ranking by capacity, quality, price, availability or delivery speed.
Where US citric acid comes from
Producers ferment a carbohydrate, usually corn-based in the US, then refine and crystallize the acid. Read about citric acid production for the process.
| Route | What it means for buyers | Ask |
| US producer | Supplies directly or through distributors | Which plant and grade serve my lane? |
| Producer outside the US | Cross-border supply to US buyers | Where is it made, and what duty status applies? |
| Imported material through a distributor | The producer is often named per item | Who is the producer, and what is the country of origin? |
| Sourcing partner | Compares sources and handles imports | Which origin applies, and who clears the entry? |
Origin and duties: what to ask before you buy
Origin affects landed cost. Commerce continued the China orders in May 2026. They cover anti-dumping and countervailing duties on hydrous and anhydrous citric acid and certain citrate salts.
Anti-dumping orders on Thailand and Colombia were continued in 2023 after sunset reviews.
Duty depends on origin, producer and entry details, so confirm it with your customs broker. This guide is not legal advice. Ask each supplier for:
- The producer of record, not only the seller.
- The country of origin, in writing.
- The HTS code used for entry.
- The current duty status, and whether the quote is duty-paid or duty-excluded.
Who we left out, and why
Three kinds of names appear in search results for citric acid but not here.
- Small-pack retail sellers. Marketplace and hobby listings serve consumers, not industrial buyers.
- Sellers with no first-party evidence. We could not confirm their role or citric acid range from their own materials.
- Names we could not verify. They may be added after review.
For global producers and import routes, see our anhydrous citric acid suppliers guide.
Anhydrous or monohydrate: which form to request?
Both forms are the same acid. They differ in water content and handling.
| Form | Water content | Where it tends to fit | Ask |
| Anhydrous | Not more than 0.5% | Low-moisture dry blends and powders | Mesh size and moisture limit |
| Monohydrate | About 7.5% to 8.8% | Uses that tolerate bound water | Storage limits, because it loses water in dry air |
If you need an anhydrous grade, ask each citric acid anhydrous distributor for mesh size and moisture. Our anhydrous powder guide covers the properties.
Grade, certification and document checks before an RFQ
Start with the end use, then request the grade and documents that match it.
| Buyer requirement | What to request | Do not assume |
| Food and beverage | FCC documents, a lot COA, and kosher or halal certificates if required | A food-grade lot carries every certification |
| Pharmaceutical and supplements | USP monograph documents and producer site details | A food-grade lot meets USP |
| Technical and cleaning | A technical specification with assay and moisture | Technical grade is safe for food use |
| Liquid solutions | The stated concentration and container size | A 50% solution prices like a solid |
What does a typical citric acid specification look like?
Ranges below follow the FAO and WHO JECFA citric acid specification. Buy against your supplier’s current TDS and COA, which list further impurity limits.
| Parameter | Range in published specifications | Why it matters |
| Assay | 99.5% to 100.5% on the anhydrous basis | Sets the grade tier |
| Water, anhydrous | 0.5% maximum | Controls caking and dry-blend stability |
| Water, monohydrate | 7.5% to 8.8% | Confirms the correct hydrate |
Pack formats: bag, pallet or supersack
Most bulk citric acid in the listings we reviewed ships as bags, pallets or supersacks. Confirm net weight and liner type in writing, because sizes vary.
| Format | Size seen in supplier listings | Best for |
| Bag | 50 or 55 lb (CORECHEM, Univar) | Trials and small runs |
| Pallet of bags | Sold by the pallet (CORECHEM) | Regular small-plant demand |
| Supersack | 2,000 lb (Univar) | Larger recurring runs |
| Custom or private-label pack | Offered by Hawkins | Specific batch sizes |
Citric Acid Suppliers and Distributors to Consider
This is a role-verified shortlist, not a ranking by capacity, quality, price, availability or delivery speed. Elchemy publishes this article and appears first. The other six companies are in alphabetical order.
| Company | Verified commercial role | What buyers research it for | Ask before RFQ |
| Elchemy | Supplier / sourcing partner | Second source and documented imports | Which producer and origin apply? |
| Alliance Chemical | Supplier | USP and food-grade forms with published data sheets | Which forms and packs ship to me? |
| Cargill | Producer | Anhydrous and liquid citric acid made by fermentation | Which plant and grade serve my lane? |
| CORECHEM | Supplier / distributor | Food-grade anhydrous in bags and pallets, Eastern US | What freight applies outside the East? |
| Hawkins | Supplier / distributor | USP and FCC anhydrous, monohydrate and 50% solution | Which grade and pack suit my batch? |
| Jungbunzlauer | Producer | Citric acid made in Canada, sold by Jungbunzlauer Inc | Which grade, and what duty status applies? |
| Univar Solutions | Distributor | Multi-producer listings with kosher and halal options | Who is the producer, and where is it made? |
Elchemy: citric acid supplier and sourcing partner
Role: supplier / sourcing partner. Elchemy does not run a US citric acid plant. It works with manufacturers across more than one origin and quotes US buyers on the form, grade, pack and destination they specify. It can confirm the producer and country of origin in writing for each quote, so you can check duty exposure before you commit. Technical and safety documents are available on request, and availability is confirmed case by case.
Best for: a second source, imported material with documented origin, or a sample to test before a volume order.
Not the best fit for: next-day pallets in one region, or direct plant loads.
Request a Sample to test a grade against your current supplier before you commit to volume.
Alliance Chemical: supplier of food-grade and USP citric acid
Role: supplier. Alliance Chemical, based in Taylor, Texas, lists citric acid monohydrate in USP food grade, anhydrous in food grade and a 50% solution. It publishes technical data sheets, and the monohydrate sheet was revised in 2026. It suits smaller industrial and food lots. Ask which forms ship in your quantity and request the lot certificate.
Cargill: citric acid manufacturer
Role: producer. Cargill states that it produces citric acid commercially by fermentation and lists anhydrous and liquid forms for North America. Its product data names anhydrous granular, fine granular and powder grades made by submerged fermentation on dextrose. It suits larger buyers with defined specifications. Ask which plant supplies your lane and which certificates apply to the lot.
CORECHEM: regional supplier and distributor
Role: supplier / distributor. CORECHEM describes itself as a single-location distributor shipping primarily in the Eastern United States. It lists food-grade anhydrous citric acid (FCC) in 50 or 55 lb bags, sold singly or by the pallet, with an SDS and a quote by form or phone. Ask what freight applies outside the East and which producer made the lot.
Hawkins: supplier of USP and FCC citric acid
Role: supplier / distributor. The Hawkins Pharmaceutical Group lists citric acid anhydrous (USP and FCC), monohydrate (USP, EP and JP) and a 50% reagent solution, in bulk and multiple packages. It offers custom lot runs and private-label packaging. Its product copy mixes the words manufacturer and distributor, so ask who produces the grade you are quoted.
Jungbunzlauer: producer serving the US from Canada
Role: producer. Jungbunzlauer Inc serves US buyers from Newton, Massachusetts. The company makes citric acid in Port Colborne, Ontario, from corn-based glucose, so the material is Canadian-made, not US-made. Univar lists Jungbunzlauer USP and FCC grades with kosher certification in a 50 lb bag and a 2,000 lb supersack. Ask for the grade, the lot certificate and the current duty status for your entry.
Univar Solutions: citric acid distributor with multi-producer listings
Role: distributor. Univar lists citric acid anhydrous grades from several producers, including Cargill, Jungbunzlauer, RZBC and Sucroal, in 50 lb bags and 2,000 lb supersacks. Listings show FCC and USP grades, with kosher, halal and non-GMO options on some. Quotes run through a request form, and some items show account pricing. Because the producer is named per item, ask each item’s country of origin before you compare quotes.
Producer or citric acid distributor: which route fits?
Neither route wins on every count. A producer controls the product and the plant. A distributor adds pack sizes, local delivery and grade breadth.
| Decision factor | Producer route may suit | Distributor route may suit | Buyer input |
| Producer of record | Direct plant specifications and change notices | Needs confirming per item | Required producer or origin |
| Volume | Recurring large lots | Bags, pallets and mixed orders | Annual volume and order size |
| Documents | Plant-specific certificates | Several producers’ documents under one account | Kosher, halal, FCC or USP needs |
| Duty exposure | Set by the producer’s origin | Varies by item, so ask per quote | Duty-paid or duty-excluded terms |
| Region | Plant-to-site freight | Local stock and regional delivery | Ship-to location |
For the wider trade-offs, see manufacturers versus distributors.
What a citric acid supplier needs in an RFQ
- Name the form. State anhydrous, monohydrate or a liquid solution, with mesh or granulation.
- State the grade. FCC, USP or technical, and the specification you buy against.
- List certifications. Kosher, halal or non-GMO, for the exact lot.
- Ask for origin. Request the producer of record and country of origin in writing.
- Confirm duty status. Ask whether the price is duty-paid or duty-excluded, and which HTS code applies.
- List the documents. Request the SDS, TDS and lot COA. Use the supplier-approval checklist for the full review.
- Define demand and delivery. Give first order, annual volume, pack, ship-to location and receiving limits.
Pair the RFQ with these supplier selection checkpoints so every quote is scored on the same evidence.
What changes a bulk citric acid quote
Citric acid is made by fermenting a corn-based carbohydrate, so feedstock costs feed through to quotes. Origin and duty status can change the landed cost. So can grade, pack, volume and freight.
A lower quote can reflect a different origin, form or duty basis. Ask whether a wholesale citric acid quote includes duty, and ask each supplier to quote the same specification and delivery terms. For the wider market, see bulk chemical distributors.
Five sourcing mistakes to avoid
- Comparing quotes on different forms. An anhydrous quote and a monohydrate quote are not comparable.
- Ignoring origin. Duty status can change the landed cost after you approve a quote.
- Trusting the word “manufacturer.” Confirm the producer of record in writing.
- Skipping the COA. Read SDS in procurement for what to check, then request the lot COA.
- Relying on one source. Plant outages and import delays can tighten supply, so qualify a backup early.
Choosing your route: a decision framework
- Choose a producer route (Cargill or Jungbunzlauer) if you run recurring volume of a defined grade and can meet account and delivery terms.
- Choose a distributor or supplier (Alliance, CORECHEM, Hawkins or Univar) if you need bags, pallets, mixed grades or regional delivery.
- Choose a sourcing partner like Elchemy if you want a second source, documented imports and the producer of record confirmed.
Neither route is universally better. Approve the documented product, origin and delivery route, not the label.
FAQs
Who makes citric acid in the USA?
Cargill makes citric acid for the North American market, and Jungbunzlauer supplies US buyers from a plant in Port Colborne, Ontario. EPA’s profile says domestic manufacturing has declined and imports now meet more of US demand. Confirm the producer of record and country of origin on every quote you receive.
What is the difference between anhydrous and monohydrate citric acid?
Anhydrous contains no more than 0.5% water, while monohydrate holds about 7.5% to 8.8% as bound water. Anhydrous suits low-moisture dry blends. Monohydrate suits uses that tolerate the water, and it can lose water in dry air. Match the form to your process and storage.
What duties apply to imported citric acid?
Anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders cover citric acid from China, and anti-dumping orders cover Thailand and Colombia, according to Commerce notices. Duty depends on origin and producer, so ask for country of origin and duty status on every quote and confirm both with a customs broker.
How do I choose between a distributor and a producer?
Choose a producer for recurring large lots of a defined grade. Choose a distributor for bags, pallets, mixed grades or regional delivery. In both cases, confirm the producer of record, the certificates for your lot and the duty basis of the quote, so offers can be compared fairly.
Where can I buy citric acid in bulk?
You can buy citric acid in bulk from a producer, an industrial distributor or a sourcing partner. Producers fit recurring large lots, distributors fit bags and pallets, and a sourcing partner compares quotes and imports. Choose by form, grade, origin and destination, and confirm availability in writing.
What should a citric acid RFQ include?
A citric acid RFQ should state the form, grade, certifications, volume, pack and destination. Add a request for the producer of record, country of origin, duty status and the documents you need, including the SDS, TDS and lot COA. This lets every supplier quote the same product on the same basis.
Can Elchemy supply citric acid to US buyers?
Yes, for a defined requirement. Elchemy works with manufacturers and quotes on the form, grade, pack and destination you specify, with documents and samples available on request. Share your volume, destination and document needs, and the team confirms availability and commercial fit case by case. Elchemy is a sourcing partner, not a US producer.
Conclusion
The safest way to compare citric acid suppliers and distributors is to fix the form, grade and origin first, then weigh pack, delivery and a backup source. This seven-company list is a role-verified starting point, not a ranking.
Request a Quote with your specification, volume and destination to begin a documented sourcing review.
