Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormGranular
Industry PositionFood Additive Ingredient
Market
Brazil's citric acid market is a B2B ingredient market tied to beverages, dairy, confectionery, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and cleaning formulations. Domestic production exists, with Indemil operating citric-acid capacity in Paraná, but the market still relies on imports for part of its supply. Citric acid is regulated by Anvisa as a food additive and is listed as INS 330, so function and category limits matter for formulators. Brazil also maintains antidumping duties on imports from Colombia and Thailand, which materially affect landed cost and supplier selection.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with domestic production
Domestic RoleWidely used acidulant and pH adjuster across industrial food and beverage formulations
SeasonalityYear-round industrial supply; there is no agricultural harvest seasonality.
Specification
Physical Attributes- White translucent crystals
- Odorless
- Slightly hygroscopic
Compositional Metrics- High-purity industrial grade
- Low-moisture anhydrous specification
Grades- Fine granular anhydrous
- Granular anhydrous
Packaging- 25 kg kraft paper bags
- Palletized loads up to 20 pallets per container
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Corn wet milling -> fermentation -> purification -> drying -> packaging -> B2B distribution
Temperature- Ambient logistics are usually sufficient; humidity control is more important than refrigeration
Atmosphere Control- Keep dry and protected from moisture because the product is slightly hygroscopic
Shelf Life- Long shelf life when sealed and stored dry; caking risk rises if bags are opened or damp
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Trade Remedy HighBrazil keeps a definitive antidumping duty on citric acid and certain citrate salts/esters from Colombia and Thailand until 22 August 2027, so sourcing from those origins can become uneconomic or administratively sensitive.Pre-check origin eligibility and duty-inclusive landed cost before committing volume.
Regulatory Compliance MediumAnvisa only allows citric acid within the approved food-category use rules, so a formulation mismatch can block use or force relabeling.Match the intended use category, function and maximum level to Anvisa's positive-list rules and keep the supplier spec sheet aligned.
Logistics MediumCitric acid is a dry ingredient but it is hygroscopic, so humidity exposure during port handling or warehouse storage can cause caking and flow problems.Ship in sealed bags, use pallet wrap and dry storage, and limit port dwell time.
Food Safety MediumIndustrial buyers can reject lots that do not match purity, particle-size or certificate-of-analysis expectations, especially for beverage and dairy applications.Require batch CoA review, confirm particle size and moisture, and use suppliers with recognized food-safety certification.
Market Price Volatility MediumLanded price can move with exchange rates, ocean freight and origin-specific trade remedies, which can compress distributor margins and destabilize quotes.Run landed-cost scenarios and maintain alternate sourcing origins where feasible.
Sustainability- Corn sourcing and fermentation energy use
- Wastewater and effluent management from wet-milling and fermentation plants
- Packaging waste from bagged and palletized industrial ingredients
Labor & Social- Worker safety in chemical handling, bagging and palletizing
Standards- FSSC 22000 v6.0
- Food Chemicals Codex (FCC)
FAQ
What is citric acid mainly used for in Brazil?It is used as an acidulant, preservative, pH adjuster and flavor enhancer in beverages, dairy products, sweets, soft drinks, jams, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and cleaning products.
Where is Brazil's domestic citric acid production concentrated?The cited Brazilian producer information points to Paraná, with Indemil operating citric-acid units in Paranavaí and Guaíra.
What is the main import and compliance issue for citric acid in Brazil?Citric acid is INS 330 under Anvisa's additive rules, and Brazil also applies definitive antidumping duties on imports from Colombia and Thailand.