Middle East and Africa Propionic Acid and Derivatives Market Size, Share, and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2032

Middle East and Africa Propionic Acid and Derivatives Market Size

• The Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market size was valued at USD 86.34 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 119.99 million by 2032, at a CAGR of 4.20% during the forecast period
• The market growth is largely fuelled by the expanding food and feed industries, growing demand for preservatives due to rising food exports, and increasing use of propionic acid as a fungicide and antibacterial agent in agricultural applications
• Rising awareness about livestock health and the role of feed preservatives in improving feed shelf-life and reducing microbial contamination is further driving regional demand

Middle East and Africa Propionic Acid and Derivatives Market Analysis

• Rising consumption of packaged and processed food across countries such as Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., and South Africa is significantly driving the demand for propionic acid as a food preservative
• The growing focus on improving livestock health and feed efficiency, particularly in commercial poultry and dairy farming, is boosting the adoption of propionic acid derivatives such as calcium and sodium propionate across the region
• South Africa dominated the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market with the largest revenue share in 2024, driven by the expansion of feed manufacturing, increasing commercial livestock farming, and growing adoption of food and pharmaceutical preservatives
• ​Saudi Arabia is expected to witness the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market due to strong government initiatives promoting food self-sufficiency, rapid expansion of the poultry and dairy sectors, and increasing investments in animal feed and food preservation technologies
• The propionic acid segment held the largest market revenue share in 2024, driven by its extensive use as a preservative in food and feed applications across the region. The increasing demand for shelf-life enhancement, especially in bakery and dairy products, has significantly contributed to the segment’s growth. In the feed sector, propionic acid is widely adopted to prevent mold growth and maintain nutritional value

Report Scope and Middle East and Africa Propionic Acid and Derivatives Market Segmentation      

Middle East and Africa Propionic Acid and Derivatives Market Trends

“Rising Adoption of Propionic Acid in Livestock Feed to Improve Animal Health and Productivity”

• Increased demand for high-quality animal protein has led to the use of propionic acid in animal feed to prevent spoilage and promote livestock health
• Propionic acid derivatives extend the shelf-life of feed by inhibiting mold and bacterial growth, which enhances feed efficiency
• In South Africa, large-scale poultry and cattle farms are increasingly integrating feed additives such as calcium propionate to improve growth performance
• Egypt is witnessing feed manufacturing expansions, where propionate-based preservatives are being used to ensure safe storage and distribution
• The trend aligns with regional goals of strengthening domestic food production and reducing dependency on meat imports

Middle East and Africa Propionic Acid and Derivatives Market Dynamics

Driver

“Growing Processed Food Industry Fueling the Use of Propionic Acid as a Preservative”

• Increased meat and dairy demand in the region is prompting livestock farmers to focus on feed quality and animal health, driving the use of propionic acid-based additives
• Propionic acid helps inhibit mold and bacterial growth in animal feed, enhancing feed safety, reducing spoilage, and improving nutrient retention
• The demand for high-performance feed is rising in commercial farms, especially in countries such as South Africa where poultry and cattle production is expanding rapidly
• Use of calcium and sodium propionate in feed formulations is becoming more common due to their proven benefits in improving animal productivity
• Governments and private players across the Gulf region are investing in food security and livestock development, creating a favorable environment for feed additive adoption
  • For instance, In South Africa, leading animal feed producers are incorporating calcium propionate to enhance feed storage and performance across large-scale poultry farms

Restraint/Challenge

“Regulatory Constraints and Health Concerns Regarding Synthetic Preservatives”

• Urbanization and rising income levels are driving consumer preference for packaged, ready-to-eat food, increasing the need for effective preservatives
• Propionic acid is extensively used in bakery products, cheese, and other processed foods to prevent mold growth and extend shelf-life
• Food processing industries in countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are rapidly expanding to meet both domestic and export demands
• There is a growing push for food safety and waste reduction, making shelf-life extension a critical priority for manufacturers
• Investment in food logistics and cold chains is increasing, but preservatives such as propionic acid remain essential to ensure product stability during distribution
  • For instance, The UAE’s food manufacturing sector has seen a notable rise in baked goods production, where sodium propionate is commonly used to maintain product freshness during long-distance transport

Middle East and Africa Propionic Acid and Derivatives Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of product, grade, formulation type, form, type, source, application, production method, and distribution channel.

• By Product

On the basis of product, the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market is segmented into propionic acid and derivatives. The propionic acid segment held the largest market revenue share in 2024, driven by its extensive use as a preservative in food and feed applications across the region. The increasing demand for shelf-life enhancement, especially in bakery and dairy products, has significantly contributed to the segment’s growth. In the feed sector, propionic acid is widely adopted to prevent mold growth and maintain nutritional value.

The derivatives segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032. This growth is fueled by rising demand in the animal feed industry due to increased livestock production in countries such as South Africa and Egypt. The segment also benefits from broad utility in food processing and pharmaceuticals, where regulatory approval and versatility in formulations enhance adoption.

• By Grade

On the basis of grade, the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market is segmented into industrial grade/technical grade, food grade, feed grade, and pharma grade. The food grade segment dominated the market in 2024 owing to the rising consumption of packaged foods and the demand for effective preservatives in bakery, dairy, and ready-to-eat products. Its compliance with food safety regulations and effectiveness at low concentrations makes it the preferred option across food manufacturers in the region.

The feed grade segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, driven by increased livestock farming and the push for feed quality improvements. Propionic acid-based feed preservatives are increasingly used by commercial farms to improve feed shelf-life, reduce spoilage, and ensure animal health.

• By Formulation Type

On the basis of formulation type, the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market is segmented into sodium propionate, calcium propionate, and propionic acid. The calcium propionate segment held the largest share in 2024 due to its widespread use as a mold inhibitor in bread, pastries, and animal feed. Its high efficacy, low toxicity, and regulatory acceptance make it an essential ingredient for manufacturers in the region.

The sodium propionate segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, supported by rising applications in cheese preservation, pharmaceuticals, and food safety compliance. Its growing preference in processed meat and dairy further enhances its regional demand.

• By Form

Based on form, the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market is divided into dry and liquid. The dry form segment dominated the market in 2024, driven by its convenience in handling, storage stability, and compatibility with dry-mix food and feed applications. Dry forms are preferred by regional feed mills and food manufacturers for bulk processing and ease of transportation.

The liquid segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, as demand rises for quick-acting, easy-to-blend formulations in industrial and agricultural uses. Liquid formulations offer superior solubility, making them ideal for direct spray or injection-based systems in modern farming operations.

• By Type

On the basis of type, the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market is segmented into encapsulated and non-encapsulated. The non-encapsulated segment accounted for the highest share in 2024, due to its direct and cost-effective use in feed and food applications. Its high efficacy and immediate release mechanism make it suitable for standard preservative functions in conventional setups.

The encapsulated segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, driven by increasing adoption in specialized feed formulations where targeted release and stability are prioritized. Innovations in encapsulation technologies are further enhancing performance in extreme storage conditions.

• By Source

On the basis of source, the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market is segmented into natural and synthetic. The synthetic segment led the market in 2024 due to its established production infrastructure and consistent quality output, meeting the region's industrial and food-grade needs efficiently.

The natural segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, driven by increasing consumer demand for clean-label products and growing interest in bio-based preservatives in food and personal care formulations.

• By Application

On the basis of application, the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market is segmented into food and beverage, feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, home and personal care, agriculture, industrial, and others. The feed segment dominated in 2024 owing to rising livestock production and the growing need for safe, long-lasting feed ingredients. Countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia are significantly investing in feed quality enhancement, boosting this segment’s demand.

The food and beverage segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, fueled by increased consumption of packaged foods and the rising demand for effective preservatives in bakery, dairy, and meat applications.

• By Production Method

On the basis of production method, the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market is segmented into chemical synthesis and fermentation process. The chemical synthesis segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024 due to its cost-effectiveness, scalability, and widespread use across industrial applications.

The fermentation process segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032 owing to rising demand for sustainable and bio-based chemical production. Regulatory and consumer preference for naturally derived ingredients is further driving investments in fermentation technologies.

• By Distribution Channel

On the basis of distribution channel, the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market is segmented into direct sales, distributors, and online retail. The distributors segment held the largest share in 2024, reflecting the regional dependency on established chemical and feed ingredient supply chains across countries such as South Africa, UAE, and Kenya.

The online retail segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, driven by increasing digitalization, ease of procurement, and the rise of e-commerce platforms catering to specialty chemical and additive buyers.

Middle East and Africa Propionic Acid and Derivatives Market Regional Analysis

• South Africa dominated the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market with the largest revenue share in 2024, driven by the expansion of feed manufacturing, increasing commercial livestock farming, and growing adoption of food and pharmaceutical preservatives
• The country’s well-established agriculture and food processing industries, along with rising investments in animal health and nutrition, continue to support strong demand for propionic acid and its derivatives across multiple applications
• This widespread utilization is further reinforced by improvements in distribution infrastructure, regulatory focus on food safety, and a shift toward enhanced feed preservation in the livestock sector

Saudi Arabia Propionic Acid and Derivatives Market Insight

The Saudi Arabia is projected to witness the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the Middle East and Africa propionic acid and derivatives market due to strong government-backed initiatives in food security, rapid growth in the poultry and dairy industries, and expanding demand for shelf-life enhancing solutions in both food and feed applications.

Middle East and Africa Propionic Acid and Derivatives Market Share

The Middle East and Africa Propionic Acid and Derivatives industry is primarily led by well-established companies, including:

• ChemaFOOD (Egypt)
• Juffali Chemical Products Co. Ltd. (Saudi Arabia)
• Addisol (South Africa)
• Midchem Speciality Chemicals (Saudi Arabia)
• Delta Pharma Egypt (Egypt)
• AfriVet (South Africa)
• OCI N.V. (through its subsidiary in Egypt) (Egypt)
• Adwaa Al-Rowad Industrial Company (Saudi Arabia)
• Ascendis Animal Health (South Africa)
• Saudi Industrial Detergents Co. (SIDCO) (Saudi Arabia)

SKU-56573