Citric Acid Market Weekly Report (April 3-10, 2025)

Citric acid price analysis
This week, the citric acid market price continued to run steadily, and the market maintained a cautious attitude and maintained just-in-time replenishment.
As of Thursday this week, the mainstream transaction price of food-grade monohydrate citric acid in the market was 4900-5100 yuan/ton, and the reference price of food-grade anhydrous citric acid was 5100-5400 yuan/ton.

Related product analysis
Corn market analysis
This week, corn prices rose slightly, but the change was limited. As of April 10, the national weekly average price of corn was 2251 yuan/ton, an increase of 3 yuan/ton from last week. In terms of regions, the price of corn in Northeast China was stable and strong. Due to the issue of Sino-US tariffs, market sentiment was boosted to a certain extent, and the futures and spot prices rose first and then fell. The mainstream price of corn in North China remained stable, and some areas adjusted narrowly with limited changes. The price of corn in the sales area rose first and then fell. In the early stage, it was affected by the Sino-US tariffs. The upward trend of futures drove the spot market price, but the prices of the north and south ports were inverted, and the demand of feed mills in the sales area was general, so the transaction was weak.

Analysis of influencing factors

Operation: The operation rate remains stable, and the supply is reduced at a low level, which is slightly positive; otherwise, it is negative.
Output: The output supply is limited, which is positive for the future market; otherwise, it is negative.
Inventory: The inventory level is slightly high, which is negative for the future market; otherwise, it is positive.
Demand: Limited downstream operation, sluggish demand, negative for prices; otherwise, it is positive.
Cost: The cost level is low, which is difficult to support product prices; otherwise, it is positive.
Export: Export orders are weak, which is negative for the future market; otherwise, it is positive.

Citric acid market outlook
From the raw material side, the national corn price has been raised narrowly, and the price fluctuation is a high-level shock, which has limited impact on production costs. From the supply side, the citric acid industry is currently well supplied, and the manufacturer's inventory is gradually accumulating. The current profits of enterprises basically fluctuate around the cost line, which supports the price of citric acid. From the demand side, citric acid sales are average, and traders maintain rigid demand purchases. Downstream processing plants are watching the market and are not very enthusiastic about purchasing goods. It is expected that demand will remain stable in the short term. With the support of no export demand, citric acid prices are expected to remain stable in the short term.