Market overview
The global monosodium glutamate market is worth USD 4.1 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 6.1 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.2% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Crystalline is the largest by form segment.
| Scope | Monosodium glutamate, the crystalline flavour enhancer made by fermentation, sold for food processing, restaurants, seasoning blends and retail. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 3.9 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 4.1 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 6.1 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.2% |
| Volume 2026 | 3,829 thousand tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 5,496 thousand tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 1,059 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Monosodium Glutamate market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 4.1 bn |
| 2027 | USD 4.2 bn |
| 2028 | USD 4.4 bn |
| 2029 | USD 4.6 bn |
| 2030 | USD 4.8 bn |
| 2031 | USD 5.0 bn |
| 2032 | USD 5.2 bn |
| 2033 | USD 5.4 bn |
| 2034 | USD 5.6 bn |
| 2035 | USD 5.9 bn |
| 2036 | USD 6.1 bn |
Monosodium Glutamate market segmentation
By form
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystalline | 78.0% | 75.8% | USD 3.2 bn | 3.9% |
| Powder | 14.0% | 14.6% | USD 568 mn | 4.6% |
| Granulated and blended | 8.0% | 9.6% | USD 324 mn | 6.1% |
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soups, sauces and seasonings | 36.0% | 36.5% | USD 1.5 bn | 4.3% |
| Instant noodles and snacks | 22.0% | 22.9% | USD 892 mn | 4.6% |
| Meat and processed food | 14.0% | 13.6% | USD 568 mn | 3.9% |
| Foodservice | 16.0% | 15.9% | USD 649 mn | 4.1% |
| Retail household | 12.0% | 11.0% | USD 487 mn | 3.3% |
By mesh size
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fine (60 to 80 mesh) | 21.0% | 19.0% | USD 852 mn | 3.2% |
| Medium (30 to 60 mesh) | 47.0% | 46.0% | USD 1.9 bn | 4.0% |
| Coarse (8 to 30 mesh) | 32.0% | 35.0% | USD 1.3 bn | 5.1% |
By fermentation feedstock
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corn starch | 38.0% | 36.0% | USD 1.5 bn | 3.6% |
| Cassava and tapioca | 32.0% | 34.0% | USD 1.3 bn | 4.8% |
| Sugarcane molasses | 20.0% | 20.0% | USD 811 mn | 4.2% |
| Rice and wheat starch | 10.0% | 10.0% | USD 406 mn | 4.2% |
By pack size
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachets and small packs | 19.0% | 21.0% | USD 771 mn | 5.2% |
| Retail pouches and tubs | 21.0% | 21.0% | USD 852 mn | 4.2% |
| Industrial sacks | 60.0% | 58.0% | USD 2.4 bn | 3.9% |
Top 25 countries for monosodium glutamate by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 73.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.5%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 1.3 bn | 33.0% | USD 1.8 bn | 3.1% |
| 2 | Indonesia | USD 324 mn | 8.0% | USD 532 mn | 5.1% |
| 3 | India | USD 243 mn | 6.0% | USD 459 mn | 6.5% |
| 4 | Vietnam | USD 203 mn | 5.0% | USD 337 mn | 5.2% |
| 5 | Nigeria | USD 162 mn | 4.0% | USD 324 mn | 7.2% |
| 6 | Brazil | USD 162 mn | 4.0% | USD 245 mn | 4.2% |
| 7 | Thailand | USD 162 mn | 4.0% | USD 233 mn | 3.7% |
| 8 | Philippines | USD 142 mn | 3.5% | USD 220 mn | 4.5% |
| 9 | United States | USD 122 mn | 3.0% | USD 159 mn | 2.7% |
| 10 | Bangladesh | USD 122 mn | 3.0% | USD 233 mn | 6.7% |
| 11 | Japan | USD 122 mn | 3.0% | USD 196 mn | 4.9% |
| 12 | Malaysia | USD 109 mn | 2.7% | USD 152 mn | 3.4% |
| 13 | Pakistan | USD 84 mn | 2.1% | USD 133 mn | 4.7% |
| 14 | Egypt | USD 69 mn | 1.7% | USD 97 mn | 3.4% |
| 15 | Ghana | USD 60 mn | 1.5% | USD 94 mn | 4.7% |
| 16 | Mexico | USD 52 mn | 1.3% | USD 73 mn | 3.4% |
| 17 | Russia | USD 47 mn | 1.2% | USD 65 mn | 3.4% |
| 18 | South Korea | USD 43 mn | 1.1% | USD 59 mn | 3.4% |
| 19 | Taiwan | USD 39 mn | 1.0% | USD 54 mn | 3.3% |
| 20 | Kenya | USD 36 mn | 0.9% | USD 58 mn | 4.7% |
| 21 | Myanmar | USD 34 mn | 0.8% | USD 54 mn | 4.7% |
| 22 | Cambodia | USD 32 mn | 0.8% | USD 51 mn | 4.7% |
| 23 | Ethiopia | USD 30 mn | 0.7% | USD 48 mn | 4.8% |
| 24 | Colombia | USD 28 mn | 0.7% | USD 40 mn | 3.4% |
| 25 | South Africa | USD 27 mn | 0.7% | USD 38 mn | 3.4% |
| Rest of world | USD 262 mn | 6.5% | USD 349 mn | 2.9% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Ajinomoto
- Fufeng Group
- Meihua Group
- CJ CheilJedang
- Eppen Group
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Vedan International
- Daesang
- Ve Wong
- Global Bio-chem Technology
- Henan Lotus Flower Gourmet Powder
- Sasa Inti
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Linghua Group
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the monosodium glutamate market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.2% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by form, by end use, by mesh size, by fermentation feedstock, by pack size. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the monosodium glutamate market?
The global monosodium glutamate market is estimated at USD 3.9 bn in 2025 and USD 4.1 bn in 2026.
How fast will the monosodium glutamate market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 6.1 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% from 2026, an increase of USD 2.1 bn.
Which country is the largest market for monosodium glutamate?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 1.3 bn in 2026, 33.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 47.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, Nigeria is growing fastest at 7.2% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which monosodium glutamate segment is largest?
In the by form split, Crystalline is the largest segment with 78.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading monosodium glutamate companies?
Global leaders include Ajinomoto, Fufeng Group, Meihua Group, CJ CheilJedang.
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