Derived Products
Microwave Popcorn
HS Code
382499
Last Updated
2026-06-27
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
- Lactic acid market coverage spans 28 countries.
- 87 exporter companies and 88 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
- 219 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 17 countries.
- 0 premium suppliers and 0 catalog items are currently listed.
- Wholesale sample entries: 0; farmgate sample entries: 0.
- Page data last updated on 2026-06-27.
Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Lactic acid
Analyze 219 supplier-linked transactions across the top 17 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Lactic acid.
Lactic acid Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum
Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Lactic acid to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Lactic acid: France (+2871.8%), Vietnam (+306.1%), Netherlands (+72.1%).
Lactic acid Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary
As of 2025-07, benchmark Lactic acid country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2025-12, countries with visible Lactic acid transaction unit prices: Belgium (13.84 USD / kg), Austria (9.20 USD / kg), Mexico (6.38 USD / kg), Brazil (4.14 USD / kg), Singapore (2.89 USD / kg), 4 more countries.
| Country | YoY Change | Transaction Count | 2025-07 | 2025-08 | 2025-09 | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | -40.2% | 18 | - (-) | 0.92 USD / kg (1,020 kg) | 2.64 USD / kg (61,000 kg) | 0.96 USD / kg (6,400 kg) | 1.90 USD / kg (2,500 kg) | 1.91 USD / kg (3,000 kg) | ||||||
| Mexico | +64.7% | 52 | 15.66 USD / kg (9,851.44 kg) | 9.41 USD / kg (6,350.4 kg) | 10.97 USD / kg (13,891.6 kg) | 10.52 USD / kg (10,664.84 kg) | 5.90 USD / kg (12,787.6 kg) | 6.38 USD / kg (8,587.6 kg) | ||||||
| China | +14.2% | 53 | 0.94 USD / kg (33,300 kg) | 1.67 USD / kg (122,900.5 kg) | 1.02 USD / kg (219,662 kg) | - (-) | 1.31 USD / kg (40,314.4 kg) | 1.01 USD / kg (246,700 kg) | ||||||
| Belgium | -4.3% | 16 | 1.98 USD / kg (50,000 kg) | 1.96 USD / kg (50,000 kg) | 1.93 USD / kg (89,310 kg) | 2.76 USD / kg (15,610 kg) | 8.91 USD / kg (41,340 kg) | 13.84 USD / kg (34,006 kg) | ||||||
| Netherlands | +72.1% | 1 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Spain | +32.9% | 7 | - (-) | - (-) | 2.98 USD / kg (10,500 kg) | - (-) | 2.19 USD / kg (1,205.28 kg) | - (-) | ||||||
| Singapore | -30.1% | 6 | 1.55 USD / kg (-) | - (-) | - (-) | 1.55 USD / kg (2,040 kg) | 1.55 USD / kg (2,240 kg) | 2.89 USD / kg (400 kg) | ||||||
| Colombia | - | 1 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Brazil | -11.8% | 30 | 3.63 USD / kg (60,000 kg) | 3.39 USD / kg (60,001 kg) | 3.89 USD / kg (99,000 kg) | 4.18 USD / kg (85,230 kg) | 4.14 USD / kg (120,000 kg) | 4.14 USD / kg (199,000 kg) | ||||||
| Vietnam | +306.1% | 12 | 15.70 USD / kg (1,814.4 kg) | 8.61 USD / kg (2,714.4 kg) | 1.43 USD / kg (175 kg) | 1.42 USD / kg (400 kg) | 7.59 USD / kg (2,819.8 kg) | 1.42 USD / kg (475 kg) |
Lactic acid Global Supply Chain Coverage
175 companies
87 exporters and 88 importers are mapped for Lactic acid.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Lactic acid, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.
Lactic acid Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals
87 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Lactic acid. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.
Lactic acid Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles
Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 87 total exporter companies in the Lactic acid supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(China)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-05-27
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Animal ProductionFood ManufacturingOthers
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / PackingFood ManufacturingOthers
(Vietnam)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-11-18
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(Spain)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-09-08
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 1M - 5M
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Food ManufacturingTrade
Exporting Countries: Philippines, Pakistan, Mexico, Bangladesh
Supplying Products: Lactic acid, Poultry Feed, Calcium carbonate +1
(Japan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-07-05
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingFood PackagingFood Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleTrade
(China)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-12-10
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale
(Brazil)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-05-27
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food ManufacturingOthers
Value Chain Roles: Food ManufacturingTrade
Lactic acid Global Exporter Coverage
87 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Lactic acid supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Lactic acid opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.
Lactic acid Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks
88 importer companies are mapped for Lactic acid demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.
Lactic acid Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners
Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 88 total importer companies tracked for Lactic acid. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
(Bangladesh)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-05-27
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Industries: Food PackagingOthers
Value Chain Roles: -
(Vietnam)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-05
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Mexico)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-11-11
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Industries: Food WholesalersOnline Retail And FulfillmentOthers
Value Chain Roles: -
(Vietnam)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-10-07
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Vietnam)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-05-27
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(El Salvador)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-05-27
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
Global Importer Coverage
88 companies
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Lactic acid.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Lactic acid buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.
Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormLiquid (aqueous solution)
Industry PositionFood Additive / Food Ingredient
Market
Lactic acid is a globally traded organic acid used as a food additive (INS 270) primarily for acidity regulation and related technological functions, with trade commonly tracked under HS 291811 (lactic acid, its salts and esters). Recent global trade patterns show export supply concentrated in a limited set of manufacturing and exporting hubs, with Thailand and China among the top exporters by value (HS 291811, 2023), alongside major European exporters such as Spain, Belgium, France, and Germany. Major import demand spans North America and Asia as well as Europe, including the United States and the Republic of Korea among leading importers by value (HS 291811, 2023). Beyond food uses, lactic acid is also an important intermediate for derivatives and downstream materials (e.g., polylactic acid pathways), linking demand to both food and non-food industrial value chains.
Major Producing Countries
- ThailandMajor export origin for HS 291811 in recent UN Comtrade-derived trade summaries; industrial fermentation capacity has expanded (e.g., new lactic acid plant investments).
- ChinaMajor exporter for HS 291811 in recent trade summaries; significant fermentation-based production footprint including joint-venture facilities serving Asia.
- BelgiumEuropean fermentation-technology base with producers and derivatives; Belgium appears among top exporters for HS 291811 in 2023 trade summaries.
- FrancePart of Europe’s industrial organic-acid production and trade network; France appears among top exporters for HS 291811 in 2023 trade summaries.
- United StatesLarge end-market and importer in HS 291811 trade summaries; domestic production exists but import reliance can be material depending on grade and downstream integration.
Major Exporting Countries
- ThailandListed among top exporters by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries).
- ChinaListed among top exporters by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries).
- SpainListed among top exporters by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries).
- BelgiumListed among top exporters by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries).
- FranceListed among top exporters by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries).
- GermanyListed among top exporters by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries).
Major Importing Countries
- United StatesListed among top importers by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries).
- South KoreaListed among top importers by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries).
- GermanyListed among top importers by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries).
- JapanListed among top importers by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries).
- ItalyListed among top importers by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries).
- SpainListed among top importers by value for HS 291811 in 2023 (UN Comtrade-derived WITS summaries); may reflect intra-regional processing and redistribution.
Specification
Major VarietiesL-(+)-lactic acid, D-(-)-lactic acid, DL-lactic acid (racemic mixture), Lactate salts and esters (HS 291811 coverage includes salts/esters)
Physical Attributes
- Typically marketed as a clear to slightly yellow aqueous solution with sour taste; concentrated solutions are corrosive and hygroscopic.
- Commercial supply commonly includes mid-to-high concentration solutions; solid forms may be encountered as salts or concentrated/hygroscopic materials.
Compositional Metrics
- Assay / lactic acid content (w/w) as specified by grade (food, pharma, technical, polymer-grade).
- Optical purity (L/D ratio) where enantiomer control is important for downstream applications.
- Impurity limits (e.g., heavy metals, inorganic ions) aligned to the applicable specification framework (e.g., Codex/JECFA, FCC, pharmacopeial standards).
Grades
- Food additive grade aligned to Codex GSFA use and JECFA specifications (INS 270).
- Food-grade specifications referenced in U.S. regulation via Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) for GRAS use conditions.
- Pharmaceutical-grade and specialty grades (specification frameworks vary by jurisdiction and buyer requirements).
- Polymer / high-purity grades used for derivatives and downstream materials where impurities and optical purity are tightly controlled.
Packaging
- HDPE drums and jerrycans for liquid grades.
- Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and bulk tank shipments for industrial volumes.
- Moisture-protective packaging for hygroscopic solid forms (where applicable).
ProcessingCommercial production commonly uses microbial fermentation of carbohydrate feedstocks followed by purification and concentration; synthetic routes exist but are not universally used for food applications.Process chemistry can generate by-products in conventional schemes (e.g., gypsum formation in some neutralization routes), motivating circular/low-waste process innovations by some producers.Downstream conversion includes salt formation (lactates), esterification, and pathways to lactide/polylactic acid in integrated value chains.
Supply Chain
Value Chain
- Carbohydrate feedstock sourcing (e.g., sugars/starch hydrolysates) -> microbial fermentation -> biomass removal/filtration -> purification (e.g., decolorization/ion exchange) -> concentration -> packaging (drums/IBCs/bulk) -> distribution to food, pharma, and industrial users.
Demand Drivers
- Broad use as an acidity regulator and pH control agent in multiple food categories under Codex GSFA provisions (INS 270).
- Use as a flavouring agent and acidity regulator supported by JECFA evaluations and specifications frameworks.
- Use in the United States under GRAS conditions of use (21 CFR 184.1061) for multiple technological functions subject to good manufacturing practice.
- Non-food industrial pull-through via lactic-acid derivatives and integrated chains linking fermentation lactic acid to downstream polymerization pathways (e.g., PLA value chains).
Temperature
- Ambient logistics are common for stabilized aqueous solutions, but temperature management is used to control viscosity/handling and prevent container stress in extreme cold or heat.
- Storage and transport require compatible materials and safety controls due to corrosivity of concentrated solutions.
Shelf Life
- Shelf life is generally driven by concentration, packaging integrity, and contamination control; hygroscopic behavior and moisture ingress can affect quality for concentrated or solid forms.
Risks
Feedstock And Energy Cost Exposure HighGlobal lactic acid supply is tightly linked to carbohydrate feedstocks (sugars/starch) and energy-intensive fermentation/purification. Price shocks or availability constraints in key feedstocks and industrial energy can rapidly increase costs and reduce output, and disruptions at major exporting hubs can propagate quickly through international trade channels tracked under HS 291811.Dual-source across regions and producers, align contracts to input-cost risk where feasible, qualify alternate grades/suppliers, and maintain safety stock for critical applications.
Supply Concentration MediumRecent trade summaries for HS 291811 show a relatively concentrated set of top exporters (e.g., Thailand, China, and a handful of European exporters). Concentration increases vulnerability to plant outages, logistics disruption, and policy-driven trade friction affecting a limited number of supply corridors.Qualify at least two geographically distinct supply bases (e.g., Asia + Europe) and validate substitution across food/pharma/industrial specifications.
Regulatory Compliance MediumFood-use lactic acid must meet additive specifications and jurisdictional compliance requirements (e.g., Codex GSFA provisions for INS 270, JECFA specifications/evaluations, and country-specific frameworks such as U.S. 21 CFR GRAS conditions). Specification mismatches or documentation gaps can lead to shipment holds or delisting from sensitive applications.Maintain a robust specification dossier (CoA, traceability, impurity profile, process description) mapped to destination-market requirements and buyer standards.
Quality And Specification Drift MediumImpurity control and optical purity can be critical for certain downstream uses (notably specialty and polymer/derivative pathways). Variability in purification performance, feedstock impurities, or process upsets can cause off-spec batches, recalls, or downstream processing failures.Use incoming QC with agreed critical parameters (assay, optical purity where relevant, metals/inorganics), supplier audits, and grade-specific qualification.
Environmental Compliance MediumWastewater, salts, and process by-products can create compliance and permitting risks, especially where conventional schemes generate higher waste loads. ESG scrutiny may increase for producers with higher waste intensity or weaker effluent treatment controls.Prioritize suppliers with documented effluent treatment performance, waste minimization initiatives, and transparent sustainability reporting.
Sustainability
- Agricultural feedstock footprint: fermentation-based supply chains depend on sugar/starch inputs whose land-use, fertilizer, and water impacts vary by origin and practice.
- Process effluents and by-products: conventional production routes can generate significant waste streams (including gypsum in some process configurations), increasing wastewater and disposal burdens; some producers are developing circular/low-waste technologies.
- Energy and carbon intensity: lifecycle impacts depend heavily on the electricity/steam mix and process efficiency in major producing regions.
Labor & Social
- Worker health and safety: handling of concentrated organic acids introduces corrosivity hazards and requires strong process safety and PPE compliance across global plants and logistics.
- Upstream agricultural labor exposure: social risks may arise indirectly through carbohydrate feedstock supply chains (e.g., sugarcane or other commodity agriculture), depending on origin governance and labor practices.
FAQ
What is the Codex INS number for lactic acid and how is it classified for food use?In Codex’s GSFA Online, lactic acid (including L-, D- and DL- forms) is listed with INS number 270 and is classified as an acidity regulator, with provisions across many food categories under good manufacturing practice (GMP).
Which HS code is typically used to track lactic acid in global trade statistics?UN statistics classification lists HS 291811 for “lactic acid, its salts and esters,” which is the common HS-6 code used in international trade datasets for this product group.
Which countries appear as leading exporters and importers in recent global trade summaries for lactic acid (HS 291811)?In UN Comtrade-derived World Bank WITS summaries for 2023, Thailand and China are among the top exporters by value for HS 291811, along with European exporters such as Spain, Belgium, France, and Germany. The United States and the Republic of Korea appear among the top importers by value, alongside major European and Asian importers such as Germany, Japan, and Italy.
How is food-use lactic acid produced commercially, according to regulatory references?U.S. regulation (21 CFR §184.1061) notes lactic acid is produced commercially either by fermentation of carbohydrates (such as glucose, sucrose, or lactose) or via a synthetic route involving lactonitrile formation and hydrolysis. Codex/industry documentation also commonly describes fermentation-based production followed by purification and concentration to meet specification requirements.
Sources
Lactic acid Country Coverage for Suppliers, Export Flows, and Prices
Explore country-level Lactic acid market pages for supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks.
All country market pages: China, Spain, India, France, Vietnam, Netherlands, Panama, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Philippines, Ukraine, Denmark, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Laos, Nepal, Peru, Singapore, Thailand, United States
Related Lactic acid Product Categories
Browse parent, sub, derived, and raw-material product market pages related to Lactic acid.
Derived products: Microwave Popcorn
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