The UK glutamic acid market saw a dramatic 289% surge in consumption to 7.6K tons in 2024, with market value reaching $19M, though long-term trends show a mild decline from 2019 peaks. Imports, primarily from France (76% share), spiked to 7.9K tons, while exports fell sharply to 264 tons. The market is forecast for modest growth, with volume projected to reach 9K tons and value $23M by 2035. Significant price disparities exist, with average import prices dropping sharply to $2,101\/ton, while export prices to the US reached over $31,000\/ton.<\/p>\n
Key Findings<\/p>\n
UK glutamic acid consumption surged 289% to 7.6K tons in 2024 but remains below the 2019 peak of 11K tonsFrance dominates UK imports, supplying 76% of volume and 78% of value in 2024Average import price plummeted 71% to $2,101 per ton in 2024, while export price jumped 39% to $6,150 per tonExports fell 61% to 264 tons, with the United States as the top value destination despite low volume shareMarket is forecast to grow slightly to 9K tons in volume and $23M in value by 2035Market Forecast<\/p>\n
Driven by rising demand for glutamic acid in the UK, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 9K tons by the end of 2035.<\/p>\n
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $23M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.<\/p>\n
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ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Glutamic Acid And Its Salts<\/p>\n
In 2024, the amount of glutamic acid and its salts consumed in the UK skyrocketed to 7.6K tons, jumping by 289% compared with the previous year’s figure. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a mild curtailment. Glutamic acid consumption peaked at 11K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.<\/p>\n
The revenue of the glutamic acid market in the UK soared to $19M in 2024, rising by 155% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild curtailment. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $26M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.<\/p>\n
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Glutamic Acid And Its Salts<\/p>\n
Glutamic acid imports into the UK soared to 7.9K tons in 2024, jumping by 199% against the previous year’s figure. Overall, imports, however, saw a mild shrinkage. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at 11K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.<\/p>\n
In value terms, glutamic acid imports reduced to $17M in 2024. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 24%. Imports peaked at $21M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.<\/p>\n
Imports By Country<\/p>\n
In 2024, France<\/a> (6K tons) constituted the largest glutamic acid supplier to the UK, accounting for a 76% share of total imports. Moreover, glutamic acid imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China<\/a> (1.3K tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Indonesia<\/a> (244 tons), with a 3.1% share.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume from France stood at +5.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+36.0% per year) and Indonesia (-19.5% per year).<\/p>\n In value terms, France ($13M) constituted the largest supplier of glutamic acid and its salts to the UK, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($2M), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Indonesia, with a 3% share.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value from France stood at +7.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+30.8% per year) and Indonesia (-17.7% per year).<\/p>\n Import Prices By Country<\/p>\n The average glutamic acid import price stood at $2,101 per ton in 2024, dropping by -71.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a mild expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 311%. The import price peaked at $7,282 per ton in 2023, and then contracted notably in the following year.<\/p>\n Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany<\/a> ($4,578 per ton), while the price for China ($1,514 per ton) was amongst the lowest.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.<\/p>\n ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Glutamic Acid And Its Salts<\/p>\n In 2024, approx. 264 tons of glutamic acid and its salts were exported from the UK; which is down by -61.2% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a pronounced increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when exports increased by 198% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at 703 tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.<\/p>\n In value terms, glutamic acid exports dropped notably to $1.6M in 2024. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 with an increase of 272% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $3M, and then contracted notably in the following year.<\/p>\n Exports By Country<\/p>\n The Netherlands<\/a> (155 tons) was the main destination for glutamic acid exports from the UK, with a 59% share of total exports. Moreover, glutamic acid exports to the Netherlands<\/a> exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Ireland<\/a> (37 tons), fourfold. The United States<\/a> (29 tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 11% share.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands amounted to +47.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ireland (-11.7% per year) and the United States<\/a> (+79.0% per year).<\/p>\n In value terms, the largest markets for glutamic acid exported from the UK were the United States ($917K), the Netherlands ($495K) and Ireland ($99K), with a combined 93% share of total exports.<\/p>\n The United States, with a CAGR of +83.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.<\/p>\n Export Prices By Country<\/p>\n In 2024, the average glutamic acid export price amounted to $6,150 per ton, jumping by 39% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate strong growth. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.<\/p>\n Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($31,203 per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($2,700 per ton) was amongst the lowest.<\/p>\n From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United Arab Emirates<\/a> (+46.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.<\/p>\n