Middle East and Africa Food Ingredients (Acidulants) Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029

Market Analysis and Insights

The Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market is gaining significant growth due to the growing food & beverage industry and the rise in demand for flavored drinks and food. The increase in demand for acidulants in alcoholic beverages such as wine also boosts the growth of the Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market. However, stringent government regulations associated with acidulants and health risks associated with some acidulants, such as phosphoric acid, are expected to restrain the market growth of the market during the forecast period.

Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period of 2022 to 2029.

Market Definition

Acidulants are chemical compounds that give a tart, sour, or acidic flavor to foods or enhance the perceived sweetness of foods. Acidulants can also function as leavening agents and emulsifiers in some kinds of processed foods. Though acidulants can lower pH, they differ from acidity regulators, which are food additives specifically intended to modify food stability or enzymes within it. Typical acidulants are acetic acid (for instance, in pickles) and citric acid. Many beverages, such as colas, contain phosphoric acid. Sour candies often are formulated with malic acid. Other acidulants used in food production include fumaric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, and gluconic acid.

Middle East and Africa Food Ingredients (Acidulants) Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Wide use of citric acid and malic acid in emerging alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverage applications

In most beverages, citric acid is the first choice to be used as an acidulant. This is the specific, relatively mild to slightly sharp sourness and the refreshing effect on most of the fruit flavors. Furthermore, malic acid is used when strong flavor enhancement is expected, mostly in combination with citric acid. Besides these acidulants, phosphoric and succinic acid is also used in beverage applications. Phosphoric acid is mostly used in carbonated beverages such as Cola to bring a specific taste profile and strong effect on pH. Malic acid is commonly used in alcoholic beverages, mostly in fruity coolers and low alcohol drinks. Succinic acid is used only in instant beverages for home preparation.

For instance,

• In September 2020, according to the Wine & Spirits Trade Association, the flavored and spiced rum category grew from under 6 million bottles in 2014 to over 10 million bottles in 2019
• In September 2021, Svami announced the launch of 2 Cal Cola, India's homegrown premium cola, and Svami Salted Lemonade

Thus, to fulfill consumer demand, the demand for acidulants in the beverage manufacturing industry by beverage manufacturers is growing, adding to the growth of the market.

• Rise in demand for acidulants such as malic acid, lactic acid, and sodium lactate in the confectionery industry

Acidulants used in confectionery, such as malic acid, lactic acid, and sodium lactate, have a unique taste and flavor effects. It also boosts the impact of some aromatic flavor notes due to its volatility. In addition, nowadays, the combinations of acidulants are commonly used in confectionery. Furthermore, malic acid and fumaric acid provide more persistent sourness than other food acids at the same concentration, enhance fruit flavors, and boost the impact of high-intensity sweeteners.

Hence, the increased demand for confectionery products increases the demand for acidulants such as malic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid, sodium lactate, and others by food manufacturers to fulfill the demands.

Opportunities

• Biological production of citric acid and acetic acid

Consumers are shifting towards sustainable products and are opting for products that are manufactured with the help of sustainable ingredients. Hence, the demand for sustainable and cost-effective and biological food ingredients (acidulants) such as citric acid and acetic acid is increasing among the manufacturers. However, bio-succinic acid production is quite difficult through a sustainable product that is microbial fermentation, although it is cost-effective.  

Thus, due to the availability of a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, biological production of acidulants can be increased, and sustainable bio-acidulants products can be offered to the global food & beverages industry, as it holds huge opportunity for food & beverages products that include biologically sustainable ingredients.

Restraints/Challenges

• Rules and regulation of food regulatory bodies on acidulants products

The rules and regulations for the approval of acidulants laid by governmental bodies ensure that the acidulants have no side effects, which may restrict the growth of the global food ingredient (acidulants) market. The rising concern related to the side effects of acidulants on health has forced the government to lay down strict rules for product approval. The acidulants may lead to elevated blood pressure, the temporary reddish coloration of the eye, and others. Therefore, the amount of acidulant used is checked properly before using it in any product. Thus, the stringent regulations for the approval process may hamper the market's growth.

Thus, the strict regulations for approval and withdrawal of acidulant products to avoid the health risks associated with it may restrict the market's growth as manufacturers may find it difficult to fulfill exactly all the regulations imposed by the government.

• Growing health concerns regarding acidulants

Acidulants are used in various food and beverage applications such as bakery, confectionery, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to enhance the taste, texture, and flavoring. However, it has some side effects that are harmful to the human body.

Thus, owing to these side effects government has implanted strict regulations for the use of acidulants that may challenge the manufacturers.

For instance,

• The Food and Drug Regulations (B.01.090, B.01.091, and B.01.092) permit the addition of phosphate salts and/or water in meat products. The permitted forms of phosphates are the maximum permitted level of use is 0.5%, calculated as sodium phosphate dibasic added to the product

Thus, the side effects related to acidulants may challenge the market's growth owing to strict regulations and safety concerns.

Post-COVID-19 Impact Middle East and Africa Food Ingredients (Aciduants) Market

Post-COVID-19, the demand for acidulants is increased due to consumer purchasing patterns and a gradual shift towards increasing the demand for acidulants among various end-users such as food & beverages and others. Due to the discontinuation of many strict mandates and restrains, manufacturers and producers can fulfill the demand for acidulants in the region. In addition, the growing trend of trying new cuisines and soft drinks and fermented drinks among the young population will propel the market's growth.

The increased demand for fermented drinks enables manufacturers to launch innovative & flavored fermented drinks, which ultimately increases the demand for acidulants, which has helped the market grow.

Recent Development

• In March 2022, Brenntag SE acquired the Israeli specialty chemicals distributor Y.S. Ashkenazi Agencies Ltd, along with its subsidiary, Biochem Trading. This acquisition represents Brenntag's entry into the Israeli market. This acquisition will increase the goodwill of the company

Middle East and Africa Food Ingredients (Aciduants) Market Scope

The Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market is segmented into type, form, function, distribution channel, and end-user. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze meager growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to make strategic decisions to identify core market applications.

Type

• Citric Acid
• Sodium Citrate
• Potassium Citrate
• Acetic Acid
• Formic Acid
• Gluconic Acid
• Fumaric Acid
• Malic Acid
• Phosphoric Acid And Salts
• Tartaric Acid
• Lactic Acid
• Tannic Acid
• Succinic Acid
• Others

On the basis of type, the Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market is segmented into citric acid, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, acetic acid, formic acid, gluconic acid, malic acid, phosphoric acid and salts, tartaric acid, lactic acid, tannic, fumaric acid, succinic acid, and others.

Form

• Dry
• Liquid

On the basis of form, the Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market is segmented into dry and liquid.

Function

• pH control
• Acidic flavor enhancer
• Preservatives
• Others

On the basis of function, the Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market is segmented into pH control, acidic flavor enhancer, preservatives, and others.

Distribution Channel

• B2B
•  B2C

On the basis of distribution channel, the Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market is segmented into B2B and B2C.

End-User

• Household/Retail
• Food Processing Sector
• Food Service Sector

On the basis of end-user, the Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market is segmented into household/retail, food processing sector, and food service sector.

Middle East and Africa Food Ingredients (Acidulants) Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market is analyzed, and market size insights and trends are provided by country, type, form, function, end-user, and distribution channel, as referenced above.

Some of the countries covered in the Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market report are Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., South Africa, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the Rest of the Middle East and Africa.

Saudi Arabia is expected to dominate the Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market in terms of market share and revenue and will continue to grow its dominance during the forecast period. This is due to the growing demand for soft drinks and other beverages, and acidulants are used as they provide better taste and flavor to the products.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulations in the market that impact the current and future trends of the market. Data points, such as new and replacement sales, country demographics, disease epidemiology, and import-export tariffs, are some of the major pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. In addition, the presence and availability of the Middle East and African brands and their challenges faced due to high competition from local and domestic brands and the impact of sales channels are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Competitive Landscape and Middle East and Africa Food Ingredients (Acidulants) Market Share Analysis

The Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market competitive landscape provides details by the competitors. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, Middle East & Africa presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, and application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus on the Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market.

Some of the major players operating in the Middle East and Africa food ingredients (acidulants) market are Brenntag SE, Bartek Ingredients Inc., Corbion, Cargill, Incorporated, ADM, Tate & Lyle, Foodchem International Corporation, Richest Group, INDUSTRIAL TECNICA PECUARIA, S.A., among others.

Research Methodology

Data collection and base year analysis are done using data collection modules with large sample sizes. The market data is analyzed and estimated using market statistical and coherent models. In addition, market share analysis and key trend analysis are the major success factors in the market report. The key research methodology used by the DBMR research team is data triangulation which involves data mining, analysis of the impact of data variables on the market, and primary (industry expert) validation. Apart from this, data models include Vendor Positioning Grid, Market Time Line Analysis, Market Overview and Guide, Company Positioning Grid, Company Market Share Analysis, Standards of Measurement, Middle East and Africa Vs Regional, and Vendor Share Analysis. Please request an analyst call in case of further inquiry.

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