Market overview
The global sorbic acid market is worth USD 470 mn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 752 mn by 2036, growing at a 4.8% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Potassium sorbate is the largest by form segment.
| Scope | Sorbic acid and its salts (potassium and calcium sorbate) used to preserve food, drinks, animal feed and personal care products. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 450 mn |
| Value 2026 | USD 470 mn |
| Value 2036 | USD 752 mn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.8% |
| Volume 2026 | 83,184 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 126,471 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 5,653 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
Request a free sample of this report
Sorbic Acid market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 470 mn |
| 2027 | USD 493 mn |
| 2028 | USD 516 mn |
| 2029 | USD 541 mn |
| 2030 | USD 567 mn |
| 2031 | USD 594 mn |
| 2032 | USD 623 mn |
| 2033 | USD 653 mn |
| 2034 | USD 684 mn |
| 2035 | USD 717 mn |
| 2036 | USD 752 mn |
Sorbic Acid 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium sorbate | 62.0% | 62.3% | USD 292 mn | 4.8% |
| Sorbic acid | 34.0% | 34.2% | USD 160 mn | 4.8% |
| Calcium and sodium sorbate | 4.0% | 3.5% | USD 19 mn | 3.5% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakery and confectionery | 24.0% | 23.3% | USD 113 mn | 4.5% |
| Beverages | 22.0% | 22.4% | USD 103 mn | 5.0% |
| Dairy and cheese | 14.0% | 13.6% | USD 66 mn | 4.5% |
| Meat, fish and sauces | 14.0% | 13.6% | USD 66 mn | 4.5% |
| Animal feed | 10.0% | 10.7% | USD 47 mn | 5.5% |
| Personal care and other | 16.0% | 16.3% | USD 75 mn | 5.0% |
By preservation use
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mould and yeast control in foods | 44.0% | 42.5% | USD 207 mn | 4.4% |
| Beverage spoilage control | 30.0% | 29.7% | USD 141 mn | 4.7% |
| Feed and silage preservation | 14.0% | 14.9% | USD 66 mn | 5.5% |
| Personal care and cosmetics | 12.0% | 12.9% | USD 56 mn | 5.6% |
By grade
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food grade | 68.0% | 65.3% | USD 320 mn | 4.4% |
| Feed grade | 16.0% | 16.8% | USD 75 mn | 5.3% |
| Cosmetic and pharma grade | 11.0% | 12.9% | USD 52 mn | 6.5% |
| Technical grade | 5.0% | 5.0% | USD 24 mn | 4.8% |
By supplier type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global chemical producers | 58.0% | 55.0% | USD 273 mn | 4.2% |
| Regional producers | 30.0% | 31.0% | USD 141 mn | 5.1% |
| Traders and distributors | 12.0% | 14.0% | USD 56 mn | 6.4% |
Top 25 countries for sorbic acid by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 74.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 90.5%.
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 94 mn | 20.0% | USD 154 mn | 5.1% |
| 2 | United States | USD 80 mn | 17.0% | USD 119 mn | 4.0% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 33 mn | 7.0% | USD 47 mn | 3.5% |
| 4 | India | USD 33 mn | 7.0% | USD 65 mn | 7.1% |
| 5 | Brazil | USD 24 mn | 5.0% | USD 41 mn | 5.6% |
| 6 | Japan | USD 19 mn | 4.0% | USD 26 mn | 3.1% |
| 7 | Mexico | USD 19 mn | 4.0% | USD 31 mn | 5.1% |
| 8 | United Kingdom | USD 16 mn | 3.5% | USD 23 mn | 3.5% |
| 9 | France | USD 16 mn | 3.5% | USD 23 mn | 3.5% |
| 10 | Indonesia | USD 14 mn | 3.0% | USD 26 mn | 6.4% |
| 11 | Canada | USD 8.0 mn | 1.7% | USD 12 mn | 4.0% |
| 12 | Italy | USD 7.7 mn | 1.6% | USD 11 mn | 3.9% |
| 13 | Spain | USD 6.6 mn | 1.4% | USD 9.7 mn | 4.0% |
| 14 | Netherlands | USD 6.2 mn | 1.3% | USD 9.2 mn | 4.0% |
| 15 | Turkey | USD 5.8 mn | 1.2% | USD 11 mn | 6.2% |
| 16 | Thailand | USD 5.5 mn | 1.2% | USD 9.0 mn | 5.2% |
| 17 | South Korea | USD 5.5 mn | 1.2% | USD 8.0 mn | 4.0% |
| 18 | Vietnam | USD 5.1 mn | 1.1% | USD 10 mn | 7.2% |
| 19 | Australia | USD 4.8 mn | 1.0% | USD 7.0 mn | 3.9% |
| 20 | Poland | USD 4.8 mn | 1.0% | USD 7.8 mn | 5.1% |
| 21 | Egypt | USD 4.0 mn | 0.8% | USD 7.4 mn | 6.3% |
| 22 | Saudi Arabia | USD 3.7 mn | 0.8% | USD 6.0 mn | 5.1% |
| 23 | South Africa | USD 3.7 mn | 0.8% | USD 6.0 mn | 5.1% |
| 24 | Argentina | USD 3.3 mn | 0.7% | USD 4.8 mn | 3.9% |
| 25 | Philippines | USD 3.3 mn | 0.7% | USD 6.0 mn | 6.2% |
| Rest of world | USD 44 mn | 9.5% | USD 72 mn | 4.9% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Celanese
- Daicel
- Nantong Acetic Acid Chemical
- Eastman
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Anhui Jinhe Industrial
- Merck KGaA
- Ueno Fine Chemicals
- Foodchem International
- Hainan Zhongxin Chemical
- Brenntag
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 sorbic acid 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 4.8% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by form, by end use, by preservation use, by grade, by supplier type. 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 sorbic acid market?
The global sorbic acid market is estimated at USD 450 mn in 2025 and USD 470 mn in 2026.
How fast will the sorbic acid market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 752 mn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.8% from 2026, an increase of USD 281 mn.
Which country is the largest market for sorbic acid?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 94 mn in 2026, 20.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 44.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 7.1% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which sorbic acid segment is largest?
In the by form split, Potassium sorbate is the largest segment with 62.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading sorbic acid companies?
Global leaders include Celanese, Daicel, Nantong Acetic Acid Chemical, Eastman.
Need the full report?
Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.
Request a free sampleRelated markets in Food and Beverage
- Greens GummiesUSD 475 mn · 9.0% CAGR
- Fermentates for Food PreservationUSD 462 mn · 7.6% CAGR
- Mycoprotein & Mycelium IngredientsUSD 479 mn · 15.0% CAGR
- Dough Dividers & RoundersUSD 483 mn · 5.2% CAGR
- MycoproteinUSD 483 mn · 14.0% CAGR
- Sugar Reduction Rare Sweetener BlendsUSD 458 mn · 9.0% CAGR
- Plant-Based EggsUSD 449 mn · 8.5% CAGR
- Human Milk OligosaccharidesUSD 448 mn · 12.0% CAGR