Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormCrystalline Powder
Industry PositionFood and Pharmaceutical Ingredient (Excipient)
Market
Pharmaceutical-grade dextrose (D-glucose) is a starch-derived carbohydrate ingredient used as an excipient and energy source in global supplement, food, and pharmaceutical supply chains. International trade for glucose/dextrose-related products is commonly tracked under HS heading 1702, including subheading 170230 (glucose and glucose syrup with <20% fructose), with major exporter and importer countries spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. Market access and buyer qualification are heavily shaped by compendial specifications (e.g., USP monographs) and pharmaceutical excipient GMP expectations. Cost and availability are tightly linked to upstream starch-crop and energy/freight dynamics, making the market sensitive to broader grain-market volatility and logistics disruptions.
Major Producing Countries- 중국Major industrial producer/exporter indicated by UN Comtrade tradeflows for HS 170230 (via WITS).
- 프랑스Major industrial producer/exporter indicated by UN Comtrade tradeflows for HS 170230 (via WITS).
- 미국Major industrial producer/exporter indicated by UN Comtrade tradeflows for HS 170230 (via WITS).
- 독일Significant producer/trader; also a top import market in UN Comtrade tradeflows for HS 170230 (via WITS).
- 이탈리아Notable exporter in UN Comtrade tradeflows for HS 170230 (via WITS).
Major Exporting Countries- 중국Top exporter by value among reporting countries for HS 170230 in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 프랑스Top exporter by value for HS 170230 in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 미국Top exporter by value for HS 170230 in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 독일Top exporting country for HS 170230 in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 이탈리아Notable exporting country for HS 170230 in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
Major Importing Countries- 독일Top importer by value among reporting countries for HS 170230 in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 멕시코Top import market for HS 170230 in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 미국Top import market for HS 170230 in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 네덜란드Major import hub for HS 170230 in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 영국Major import market for HS 170230 in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 인도네시아Major import market for HS 170230 in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
Supply Calendar- China:Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, DecContinuous industrial production; seasonality is primarily upstream in starch-crop supply rather than manufacturing.
- European Union (France/Germany/Italy production cluster):Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, DecContinuous industrial production supported by regional starch processing capacity and intra-European trade.
- United States:Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, DecContinuous industrial production; trade patterns reflect regional demand and supply for glucose/dextrose products.
Specification
Major VarietiesDextrose monohydrate, Dextrose anhydrous, Powdered dextrose (icing dextrose)
Physical Attributes- White, purified, crystallized D-glucose (solid), typically supplied as a free-flowing powder or crystals when dry
Compositional Metrics- USP monograph assay typically expressed as dextrose content calculated on an anhydrous basis (with defined acceptance range)
- Codex sugar standard includes minimum D-glucose content on a dry basis for dextrose monohydrate and dextrose anhydrous
Grades- USP–NF (pharmaceutical excipient)
- Codex Alimentarius CXS 212-1999 (food sugars standard covering dextrose monohydrate/anhydrous)
- Buyer-specific pharmaceutical excipient qualification aligned with excipient GMP frameworks (e.g., IPEC-PQG; EXCiPACT)
Packaging- Moisture-barrier packaging to prevent caking and contamination (packaging and labeling aligned to customer GMP/food safety expectations)
ProcessingStarch-derived sugar produced by hydrolysis of starch followed by purification and crystallization/drying (for crystalline dextrose)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Starch feedstock procurement -> starch hydrolysis (acid and/or enzymatic) -> purification/refining -> crystallization & drying -> release testing to compendial specs -> packaging -> global distribution to supplement/pharma/food manufacturers
Demand Drivers- Use as a fast-available carbohydrate source in sports nutrition and supplement formats
- Use as a pharmaceutical excipient (diluent/sweetener/carrier) where compendial compliance is required
- Use as a fermentation substrate and functional sweetener/bulking agent in broader food manufacturing
Temperature- Typically stored and shipped at ambient temperatures; humidity control is critical to prevent moisture pickup, caking, and quality defects
Shelf Life- Shelf life is generally driven by moisture control and packaging integrity rather than temperature; GMP storage/handling prevents contamination and mix-ups
Risks
Feedstock And Energy Volatility HighDextrose is derived from starch, so disruptions in major grain/starch markets (especially maize) and energy/fertilizer cost shocks can quickly raise production costs and constrain availability across exporting regions, affecting both food and pharmaceutical buyers.Dual-qualify suppliers across regions, maintain safety stock for qualified grades, and monitor grain/energy risk signals (e.g., AMIS market monitoring) alongside supplier capacity and contract coverage.
Regulatory Compliance HighPharmaceutical-grade dextrose must meet compendial specifications and excipient GMP expectations; quality deviations, inadequate change control, or audit failures can trigger supply interruptions if a supplier is de-qualified by regulated customers.Source from suppliers with robust GMP systems (e.g., aligned with IPEC-PQG guidance and/or EXCiPACT certification) and implement strong incoming QC with trending against compendial limits.
Trade And Classification MediumTrade statistics and some customs handling group glucose/dextrose products under HS 1702 (including 170230), which spans both solid glucose and glucose syrups; specification mismatches between intended pharma-grade material and traded/declared product form can create delays, re-testing, or rework in cross-border shipments.Tighten product description, HS classification, and documentation (COA, compendial grade statement, intended use) with brokers and customers before shipment.
Sustainability- Upstream agricultural footprint from starch-crop supply (e.g., maize/wheat/cassava depending on region) and associated fertilizer/land-use impacts
- Energy and water use in wet milling, refining, and drying operations; wastewater/effluent management in starch processing
Labor & Social- Pharmaceutical excipient supply chain integrity (audit burden, traceability, change control) is a recurring social/quality governance theme for pharma-grade dextrose
- Worker safety and process safety in large-scale chemical/food processing environments (acid/enzymatic hydrolysis, drying, powder handling)
FAQ
What is the difference between dextrose monohydrate and dextrose anhydrous in international standards?Codex differentiates dextrose anhydrous (D-glucose without water of crystallization) from dextrose monohydrate (D-glucose containing one molecule of water of crystallization), and sets composition expectations for each. In practice, buyers specify which form they need because water content and handling characteristics differ.
Why does pharmaceutical-grade dextrose require stricter supplier qualification than food-grade material?Pharmaceutical-grade dextrose is typically purchased against pharmacopoeial specifications (such as USP monographs) and is expected to be made and handled under excipient GMP controls. Because regulated products depend on excipient quality, customers often require documented quality systems, auditability, and strong change control (as reflected in excipient GMP guidance and certification schemes).
Which HS heading is commonly used to track glucose/dextrose-related trade flows globally?Global trade statistics commonly track glucose-related products under HS heading 1702, which covers sugars including glucose in solid form and glucose syrups. A frequently used subheading in trade datasets is HS 170230 for glucose and glucose syrup not containing fructose or containing less than 20% fructose in the dry state.