About Citric Acid

Citric acid (C6H8O7) is the highest-volume organic acid produced worldwide and the most widely used acidulant in the food, beverage and cleaning industries. It functions as a pH regulator, souring agent, antioxidant synergist, chelating/sequestering agent and mild preservative, and is supplied in two interchangeable forms: anhydrous (CAA) and monohydrate (CAM).

Citric acid is sourced globally at a very large scale - the great majority produced by fermentation - and for buyers dependable supply is as much about consistency, mesh size and documentation as chemistry. Citric acid (CAS 77-92-9) is affirmed GRAS by the US FDA under 21 CFR 184.1033 and carries FCC, USP-NF, BP and Ph.Eur. monographs.

Industrial buyers placing bulk orders also keep a close eye on citric acid pricing, since contract rates feed directly into the cost of everything they produce downstream.

Manufacturing Process of Citric Acid

Commercial citric acid is produced almost entirely by submerged fermentation. A carbohydrate feedstock - typically corn glucose syrup, molasses or starch hydrolysate - is fermented by the mould Aspergillus niger under carefully controlled aeration and nutrient limitation, which drives the organism to over-produce citric acid. The fermentation broth is filtered to remove biomass, then the citric acid is recovered, historically by calcium citrate precipitation and sulphuric acid liberation, or by modern solvent extraction / ion exchange. The purified liquor is decolourised over activated carbon, concentrated and crystallised. Crystallising above ~36.6 °C yields the anhydrous form; below it yields the monohydrate.

Citric Acid Price: Bulk Pricing for Industrial Buyers

If you're looking for current citric acid pricing for bulk procurement, Elchemy provides quotes based on your specific requirements. Fill out the quote request form with your volume, grade, destination and packaging preference, and our team will revert with a detailed offer within 24 to 48 hours.

Pricing works on a quote basis rather than a published rate because the cost is driven by the corn/glucose feedstock cost and fermentation energy, plus the balance of Chinese export supply that dominates the global market, rather than tracking a fixed list.

Beyond that, several factors layer in to shape the final number: grade, committed volume, origin country, packaging format, freight, Incoterm choice (FOB, CIF or DDP) and applicable import duty (HTS 2918.14 for US-bound shipments (note: US anti-dumping duties apply to citric acid from certain origins - a key sourcing consideration)).

For an approximate read on where the market sits, procurement teams often reference corn and citric-acid export price indices, which give a sense of how rates are trending.

Trade publications also report the citric acid price per kg as a unit-level benchmark, useful for spotting short-term regional shifts even on large industrial orders.

At bulk procurement scale, however, the citric acid price per ton is the most relevant commercial unit, since contracts are typically negotiated and committed at that level.

For an exact rate, none of these references replaces a direct quote. The actual price depends on your contract structure, destination, committed volume and timing of dispatch, which is why a quote from our team will always be the most accurate number for your specific procurement.

Packaging & Logistics

Citric Acid ships in 25 kg (55 lb) bags, 50 lb bags for the US market, or 1 MT (2,205 lb) FIBC jumbo bags (liquids ship in drums, IBCs or ISO tanks as applicable), supplied as per buyer requirements. A typical 20' container holds approximately 18 to 24 MT depending on packaging.

For US-bound orders, domestic stock supports faster fulfilment. Where sourcing is required from origin countries, transit times typically run 24 to 28 days to the US East Coast and 18 to 22 days to the West Coast. Elchemy offers EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP terms, depending on how your procurement team prefers to handle landed cost and customs.

Material should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area per the storage conditions on the TDS. Standard dispatch follows agreed contract terms, with expedited timelines available where needed. Samples are dispatched within 24 to 48 hours.

Why Choose Elchemy as a Trusted Citric Acid Supplier?

Elchemy makes citric acid procurement straightforward for industrial buyers. That means consistent material across the grades listed above, with a Certificate of Analysis for every batch and full documentation (TDS, SDS) as standard.

Because we source across multiple origins, we quote on the best landed cost for your destination rather than a single manufacturer's list price. Our partner plants operate to recognised quality standards (ISO 9001, plus food/pharma certifications where relevant), with Halal and Kosher certification available on request.

Beyond the US, Elchemy ships into 40+ countries with samples available for qualification before any bulk order, and pricing tailored to volume, destination and contract terms.

Safety & Handling

Classified under GHS as Eye Irritant Category 2 (H319) and may cause mild respiratory irritation. Not DOT hazmat-regulated for transport.

Citric acid is a food-grade organic acid, GRAS, and non-toxic at use levels. In concentrated form the powder and solutions are mildly irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, and can etch tooth enamel with repeated direct exposure. Dust may cause mechanical and acidic irritation. It is not a sensitiser at normal exposure. Occupational handling calls for basic dust control and eye protection.

The full 16-section GHS-aligned SDS is available alongside material orders.