Citral Market

The Citral Market is valued at USD 5 Bn in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 7.2 Bn,  growing at a CAGR of 5% by 2033

Citral Market Thrives Strong as Popularity Ascends Among Cosmetics and Personal Care Brands

The rise in the demand for citral in the synthesis of Vitamin A & E, the rise in the utilization of citral in cosmetics and personal care products globally, and the rise in health consciousness among the global population are significant factors that are anticipated to propel the growth of the citral market during the forecast period. The number of millennials concerned about their health due to eating junk food and other unhealthy foods is growing quickly. Citral contains lemon oil, which has antibacterial properties. Thus, its use in various foods and beverages is spreading worldwide. The advent of numerous lime-based aerated and energy drinks further increases the demand for citral across the food and beverage industry. For instance, Bubbl'R antioxidant sparkling water introduced a new lime-based sparkling water to the market in November 2020. The fresh Lemon Lime Twist offers a sweet, tangy lemon and lime flavor combo.

Additional factors that are anticipated to drive the growth of the citral market include the expansion of the cosmetics and personal care sector as a result of changing consumer lifestyles, urbanization, and rising per capita disposable income, as well as the expansion of the pharmaceutical and food and beverage sectors in developing nations and the sizable demand for health supplements. Citral's capacity to emit acrid and irritating fumes when heated is one factor that impedes the market growth further. Government organizations like the International Organization of the Flavour Industry (IOFI) are restricting the use of citral in cosmetics.

Citral Market: COVID-19 Impact

Due to strict government rules requiring public places to be sanitized, the global citral market is anticipated to experience explosive growth in 2020. Governments worldwide are using various techniques to disinfect public areas like streets, markets, hospitals, banks, and bus and train stations. Additionally, in March 2020, the Indian government worked with the fire department in several cities, including Chandigarh, and Delhi, to sterilize the streets of the cities by misting them with disinfectants using water wash pumps and fire tenders. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected consumer spending habits and distribution methods. Due to the shutdown in numerous nations throughout the world, it is anticipated that demand for consumer goods and chemicals, among other things, will decline. However, during the anticipated term, growth is anticipated in end-use industries, including pharmaceutical, and water treatment.

Growing Popularity of Essential Oils in Skincare Sector to Drive Citral Market Growth

Infections of the skin and mucous membranes are treated with essential oils that contain citral. Citral's antibacterial action is well-documented in the literature for several medications. Citral's natural constituents, however, are volatile. Citral's medicinal benefits typically outweigh its drawbacks as a result. To introduce natural citral components into essential oils, companies in the citral sector are investigating nanocarrier technologies. Manufacturers can expand the market with the aid of nanocarriers. In the , there is evidence of consumer preference for lemongrass and lemon tea tree oils. As a result, producers are increasing the amount of citral they can separate from lemongrass oil by fractional distillation.

Expanding Usage, and Advanced Production Techniques in Food Sector, and Pharmaceutical Industry to Drive Citral Market

Throughout the forecast period, the expansion of the  market is anticipated to be driven by the increasing demand for beverages with a lime taste. Citral is in high demand in the beverage industry due to new products introduced by major companies, which also contributes to citral market expansion. For instance, Coca-Cola introduced its first-ever alcoholic beverage in Japan in May 2018. The Lemon Do beverage comes in alcohol concentrations of 3%, 5%, and 7%, as well as salty lemon and honey and lemon flavors. Recently, there has been a noticeable rise in the popularity of lemon tea. It can be linked to lemon tea's medicinal characteristics, which include improved pain-healing capacity and metabolism-stimulating effects that facilitate digestion. Citral's strong antioxidant content also aids in the fight against free radicals, which shields people from many illnesses, including those brought on by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria.

Consequences of Using Synthetic Citral to Limit Citral Market Growth

Because citral is chemically unstable, it degrades in aqueous solutions over time due to acid-catalyzed and oxidative reactions, losing flavor and aroma. Therefore, the food industry faces a substantial challenge in preventing the chemical breakdown of citral in foods and beverages industry, which must be overcome to reduce unnecessary waste. One of the food sector's biggest issues is figuring out the appropriate distribution strategy. These all prevent the citral market from growing in terms of revenue.

Natural Category Remains Popular in Citral Market Owing to Increased Spending by Consumers

The natural category held the largest market share, and it is anticipated that it will continue to rule the market during the forecast period. With about 1% to 2% of the world's natural citrus crop, the market for natural citrus is quite modest. However, it is steadily expanding as more people look for natural alternatives. Growers and creative and responsible exporters have a lot of success potential with natural citrus. Success depends on having the right information, having access to the right production inputs, and having the right markets. Additionally, citrus fruits, including oranges, mandarins, grapefruits, limes, and lemons, are primarily grown in the tropics and subtropics of Western and Eastern Europe, South and North America, and the Mediterranean region. In many tropical American nations, the natural citrus business is growing. Concerns over product safety, sustainability, and traceability are growing among consumers. Consequently, there is a growing market for natural products worldwide. Furthermore, to export natural products successfully, one needs to be fully informed about the potential of the citral market and the prerequisites for doing business there. Due to the distinctive peculiarities of the market, an in-depth study is required.

Menthol Category Dominates Citral Market Because of the Similarities with Citral

The menthol category held the largest citral market share, and it is anticipated that it will continue to rule the market during the forecast period. The chemical citral produces the scent of menthol. Citral can be produced synthetically or from plants like lemon peels, herbs, and flowers. Citral, naturally produced from lemons, has a distinct citrus aroma that makes it ideal for flavoring lemon-flavored beverages, candies, cakes, and other foods. On the other hand, synthetic citral emits a herbal scent frequently combined with other fragrances to create unique odors in perfumes. Due to the structural similarities between citronellal, geraniol, and menthone, menthol essential oil extracted from peppermint leaves also includes trace amounts of these chemicals.

Asia Pacific Spearheads Global Citral Market in Line with Increased Adoption of Aromatic Compounds

Over the forecast period, it is anticipated that the Asia Pacific citral market will account for the largest revenue share. It is a result of the preponderance of economically developed nations, an increase in the median income of the middle-class population, and population growth in general. In addition, during the projection period, the demand for citral in the production of aroma compounds is expected to increase along with increased industrialization. The existence of developing economies, an increase in middle-class income, and population growth drive this region. Due to the growth of pharmaceutical, food and beverages, and cosmetics and personal care industries, China is a significant country in the Asia Pacific  market.

North America’s citral market is anticipated to experience stable revenue growth throughout the forecast period due to the prevalence of developing nations, a rise in the middle class's income, and an increase in the population. The rapid industrialization and rising demand for citral in the region's downstream processing of numerous aroma chemicals will also contribute toward the expansion of market here over the projected period. Additionally, the forecast period is expected to see growth in North America's food and beverages, and pharmaceutical industries, particularly in the United States. In North America, the U.S. thus controls the market. In the United States, citral is widely distributed for use in medicinal products. For instance, on June 29, 2022, BASF Aroma Ingredients unveiled Virtual Aroma Assistants, a new digital platform created to make it easier for customers in the flavor and fragrance industry to navigate BASF's spectrum of Aroma Ingredients.

Global Citral Market: Competitive Landscape

In June 2022, Givaudan and Manus Bio worked together to create BioNootkatone, a clean-label, natural, and sustainable citrus flavoring component. Several different dishes and beverages can be made with BioNootkatone. BioNootkatone from Givaudan smells citrusy and woodsy. For BioNootkatone, Manus Bio owns complete production rights, while Givaudan has exclusive global commercialization rights. Similarly, in April 2021, the largest privately held fragrance and taste company in the world, Firmenich, unveiled FreshSlice, a special assortment of citrus oils made entirely from natural ingredients for future flavors. Unmatched freshness, juiciness, and fruit-like flavor are all provided by FreshSlice at a reasonable price.

A few of the players in the citral market are 

• Symrise AG
• Givaudan
• International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF)
• Firmenich
• Takasago International Corporation
• Sensient Technologies Corporation
• Hasegawa Co., Ltd.
• Mane SA
• Kerry Group plc
• Eastman Chemical Company
• BASF SE
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
• Aroma Chemicals Manufacturers (various regional producers)
• Laurus Labs
• Parchem – Fine & Specialty Chemicals

Global Citral Market is Segmented as Below:

By Application

• Synthesis of Vitamin A & E
• Lemon Essence
• Menthol
• Other Citral Derivatives

By Product Type

• Natural
• Synthetic

By End Use

• Cosmetics & Personal Care
• Household Care
• Laundry Detergents & Cleaners
• Dishwashers
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food & Beverages
• Air Care
• Others (including Aroma Chemicals)

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa