This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Global Food-grade Alcohol Market, highlighting strategic insights, competitive intelligence, and structural market shifts expected between 2026 and 2036.
1. Market Executive Summary
The global Food-grade Alcohol market is undergoing a transition driven by the increasing demand for "clean label" ingredients in the food and beverage industry and the expansion of the pharmaceutical sector. Food-grade alcohol (primarily ethanol) is characterized by its high purity and adherence to stringent safety standards (USP, FCC, or EU grades).
Historically valued in 2020, the market is projected to witness steady growth through 2036, fueled by the rising consumption of craft spirits, processed functional foods, and the necessity for high-purity solvents in healthcare.
2. Enhanced Segment Analysis
To provide deeper granularity, the market is categorized as follows:
A. By Source (Type)
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Sugarcane & Molasses: Dominant in regions like Brazil and India; preferred for its high yield and sustainability profile.
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Grains: Includes Corn (dominant in the US), Wheat, Rye, and Barley. Preferred for premium spirit production.
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Fruits & Berries: Used primarily for specialty brandies, flavors, and artisanal botanical extractions.
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Others: Includes Cellulosic biomass and sugar beets.
B. By Application
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Beverages: Craft spirits, fortified wines, and liqueurs.
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Food Processing: Used as a preservative, solvent for colorants/flavorings, and in the production of vinegar and yeast.
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Health Care & Pharmaceuticals: Used as a solvent for medicines, herbal extractions, and in the formulation of high-purity sanitizers.
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Cosmetics & Personal Care: High-purity alcohol used in perfumes and premium skincare products where "food-grade" safety is a marketing advantage.
3. Key Market Players
The following companies are the primary drivers of production capacity and technological innovation in the sector:
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North America: Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Cargill, MGP Ingredients, Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), Greenfield Global.
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Europe: Cristalco, Roquette Frères, Tereos, Südzucker AG, CropEnergies.
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Asia-Pacific: Wilmar International, Manildra Group, Godavari Biorefineries (India), Jiangsu Huating Biotechnology (China), Fonterra Co-operative Group.
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South America: Raízen (Brazil), São Martinho.
4. Regional Analysis
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North America: The largest producer of corn-based food-grade alcohol. Growth is driven by the craft distillery boom and pharmaceutical demand.
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Europe: High focus on wheat-based and non-GMO alcohol. Stringent REACH and EFSA regulations define the quality landscape here.
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Asia-Pacific: The fastest-growing region. Rapid urbanization in India and China is increasing the consumption of processed foods and beverages.
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Latin America: Brazil remains a global powerhouse due to its cost-efficient sugarcane ethanol production.
5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
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Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Moderate): Suppliers of raw materials (corn, sugarcane) are subject to weather and commodity price volatility.
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Bargaining Power of Buyers (High): Large-scale beverage and food conglomerates demand high volume and competitive pricing, giving them significant leverage.
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Threat of New Entrants (Low to Moderate): High capital expenditure for distillation plants and complex regulatory licensing (FDA, TTB, EFSA) act as entry barriers.
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Threat of Substitutes (Low): In food and beverage, there are few safe, edible alternatives to ethanol that provide the same solvent and preservative properties.
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Competitive Rivalry (High): The market is fragmented among global giants and local producers, leading to intense price competition.
6. SWOT Analysis
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Strengths: Essential utility in multiple recession-resistant industries (Food & Pharma); established supply chains.
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Weaknesses: High sensitivity to raw material price fluctuations; energy-intensive production processes.
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Opportunities: Growing demand for Organic and Non-GMO certified alcohol; shift toward sustainable and carbon-neutral production.
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Threats: Increasing taxes on alcohol-based products; stringent environmental regulations regarding distillery effluent.
7. Trend Analysis
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Sustainability & Transparency: Consumers want to know the "field-to-bottle" journey. Manufacturers are investing in blockchain and sustainable farming certifications.
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Clean Label Movement: Food-grade alcohol is increasingly used to replace synthetic preservatives in "all-natural" food products.
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Artisanal Growth: The rise of small-batch botanical gins and herbal tinctures is creating a niche for ultra-high-purity fruit-based alcohols.
8. Drivers & Challenges
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Driver: Expansion of the global middle class leading to higher consumption of premium beverages and processed convenience foods.
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Driver: Stricter pharmaceutical standards requiring higher-grade solvents for drug manufacturing.
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Challenge: Environmental impact. Distilleries face pressure to reduce water usage and carbon footprints.
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Challenge: Geopolitical trade barriers and fluctuating tariffs on ethanol exports/imports.
9. Value Chain Analysis
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Feedstock Sourcing: Agricultural production of corn, sugarcane, or wheat.
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Processing: Milling, fermentation, and multi-stage distillation to reach 95%-96% purity.
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Refining: Rectification to remove impurities (congeners) to meet food-grade specifications.
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Distribution: Bulk transport via rail/truck or specialized drumming for small-scale users.
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End-Use: Integration into beverages, flavors, or medicines.
10. Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders
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For Manufacturers: Invest in multi-feedstock capabilities to mitigate the risk of a single crop failure or price spike.
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For Distributors: Focus on the pharmaceutical and cosmetics "purity" segment, which offers higher margins than the bulk beverage commodity market.
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For Investors: Look toward companies focusing on green distillation technologies and carbon capture, as carbon-neutral alcohol will command a premium in the coming decade.
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For Downstream Vendors: Secure long-term contracts to hedge against the inherent volatility of the ethanol commodity market.
Table of Contents
Global Food-grade Alcohol Market Research Report 2026
1 Industry Overview of Food-grade Alcohol
1.1 Definition and Specifications of Food-grade Alcohol
1.1.1 Definition of Food-grade Alcohol
1.1.2 Specifications of Food-grade Alcohol
1.2 Classification of Food-grade Alcohol
1.2.1 Grains
1.2.2 Fruits
1.2.3 Others
1.3 Applications of Food-grade Alcohol
1.3.1 Food
1.3.2 Beverage
1.3.3 Health care & Pharmaceuticals
1.4 Market Segment by Regions
1.4.1 North America
1.4.2 Europe
1.4.3 China
1.4.4 Japan
1.4.5 Southeast Asia
1.4.6 India
2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Food-grade Alcohol
2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers
2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Food-grade Alcohol
2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Food-grade Alcohol
2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Food-grade Alcohol
3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Food-grade Alcohol
3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Food-grade Alcohol Major Manufacturers
3.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Food-grade Alcohol Major Manufacturers
3.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Food-grade Alcohol Major Manufacturers
3.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Food-grade Alcohol Major Manufacturers
4 Global Food-grade Alcohol Overall Market Overview
4.1 E Overall Market Analysis
4.2 Capacity Analysis
4.2.1 E Global Food-grade Alcohol Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis
4.2.2 Food-grade Alcohol Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)
4.3 Sales Analysis
4.3.1 E Global Food-grade Alcohol Sales and Growth Rate Analysis
4.3.2 Food-grade Alcohol Sales Analysis (Company Segment)
4.4 Sales Price Analysis
4.4.1 E Global Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price
4.4.2 Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)
5 Food-grade Alcohol Regional Market Analysis
5.1 North America Food-grade Alcohol Market Analysis
5.1.1 North America Food-grade Alcohol Market Overview
5.1.2 North America E Food-grade Alcohol Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.1.3 North America E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price Analysis
5.1.4 North America Food-grade Alcohol Market Share Analysis
5.2 Europe Food-grade Alcohol Market Analysis
5.2.1 Europe Food-grade Alcohol Market Overview
5.2.2 Europe E Food-grade Alcohol Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.2.3 Europe E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price Analysis
5.2.4 Europe Food-grade Alcohol Market Share Analysis
5.3 China Food-grade Alcohol Market Analysis
5.3.1 China Food-grade Alcohol Market Overview
5.3.2 China E Food-grade Alcohol Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.3.3 China E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price Analysis
5.3.4 China Food-grade Alcohol Market Share Analysis
5.4 Japan Food-grade Alcohol Market Analysis
5.4.1 Japan Food-grade Alcohol Market Overview
5.4.2 Japan E Food-grade Alcohol Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.4.3 Japan E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price Analysis
5.4.4 Japan Food-grade Alcohol Market Share Analysis
5.5 Southeast Asia Food-grade Alcohol Market Analysis
5.5.1 Southeast Asia Food-grade Alcohol Market Overview
5.5.2 Southeast Asia E Food-grade Alcohol Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.5.3 Southeast Asia E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price Analysis
5.5.4 Southeast Asia Food-grade Alcohol Market Share Analysis
5.6 India Food-grade Alcohol Market Analysis
5.6.1 India Food-grade Alcohol Market Overview
5.6.2 India E Food-grade Alcohol Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.6.3 India E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price Analysis
5.6.4 India Food-grade Alcohol Market Share Analysis
6 Global E Food-grade Alcohol Segment Market Analysis (by Type)
6.1 Global E Food-grade Alcohol Sales by Type
6.2 Different Types of Food-grade Alcohol Product Interview Price Analysis
6.3 Different Types of Food-grade Alcohol Product Driving Factors Analysis
6.3.1 Grains Growth Driving Factor Analysis
6.3.2 Fruits Growth Driving Factor Analysis
6.3.3 Others Growth Driving Factor Analysis
7 Global E Food-grade Alcohol Segment Market Analysis (by Application)
7.1 Global E Food-grade Alcohol Consumption by Application
7.2 Different Application of Food-grade Alcohol Product Interview Price Analysis
7.3 Different Application of Food-grade Alcohol Product Driving Factors Analysis
7.3.1 Food of Food-grade Alcohol Growth Driving Factor Analysis
7.3.2 Beverage of Food-grade Alcohol Growth Driving Factor Analysis
7.3.3 Health care & Pharmaceuticals of Food-grade Alcohol Growth Driving Factor Analysis
8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Food-grade Alcohol
8.1 Archer Daniels Midland
8.1.1 Company Profile
8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications
8.1.2.1 Product A
8.1.2.2 Product B
8.1.3 Archer Daniels Midland Food-grade Alcohol Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.1.4 Archer Daniels Midland Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.2 Cargill
8.2.1 Company Profile
8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications
8.2.2.1 Product A
8.2.2.2 Product B
8.2.3 Cargill Food-grade Alcohol Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.2.4 Cargill Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.3 MGP Ingredients
8.3.1 Company Profile
8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications
8.3.2.1 Product A
8.3.2.2 Product B
8.3.3 MGP Ingredients Food-grade Alcohol Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.3.4 MGP Ingredients Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.4 Jiangsu Huating Biotechnology
8.4.1 Company Profile
8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications
8.4.2.1 Product A
8.4.2.2 Product B
8.4.3 Jiangsu Huating Biotechnology Food-grade Alcohol Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.4.4 Jiangsu Huating Biotechnology Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.5 RoquetteFreres
8.5.1 Company Profile
8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications
8.5.2.1 Product A
8.5.2.2 Product B
8.5.3 RoquetteFreres Food-grade Alcohol Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.5.4 RoquetteFreres Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.6 Fonterra Co-operative
8.6.1 Company Profile
8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications
8.6.2.1 Product A
8.6.2.2 Product B
8.6.3 Fonterra Co-operative Food-grade Alcohol Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.6.4 Fonterra Co-operative Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.7 Cristalco
8.7.1 Company Profile
8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications
8.7.2.1 Product A
8.7.2.2 Product B
8.7.3 Cristalco Food-grade Alcohol Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.7.4 Cristalco Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.8 Grain Processing
8.8.1 Company Profile
8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications
8.8.2.1 Product A
8.8.2.2 Product B
8.8.3 Grain Processing Food-grade Alcohol Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.8.4 Grain Processing Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.9 Wilmar International
8.9.1 Company Profile
8.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications
8.9.2.1 Product A
8.9.2.2 Product B
8.9.3 Wilmar International Food-grade Alcohol Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.9.4 Wilmar International Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.10 Manildra
8.10.1 Company Profile
8.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications
8.10.2.1 Product A
8.10.2.2 Product B
8.10.3 Manildra Food-grade Alcohol Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.10.4 Manildra Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution Analysis
9 Development Trend of Analysis of Food-grade Alcohol Market
9.1 Global Food-grade Alcohol Market Trend Analysis
9.1.1 Global 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Market Size (Volume and Value) Forecast
9.1.2 Global 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price Forecast
9.2 Food-grade Alcohol Regional Market Trend
9.2.1 North America 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Forecast
9.2.2 Europe 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Forecast
9.2.3 China 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Forecast
9.2.4 Japan 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Forecast
9.2.5 Southeast Asia 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Forecast
9.2.6 India 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Forecast
9.3 Food-grade Alcohol Market Trend (Product Type)
9.4 Food-grade Alcohol Market Trend (Application)
10 Food-grade Alcohol Marketing Type Analysis
10.1 Food-grade Alcohol Regional Marketing Type Analysis
10.2 Food-grade Alcohol International Trade Type Analysis
10.3 Traders or Distributors with Contact Information of Food-grade Alcohol by Region
10.4 Food-grade Alcohol Supply Chain Analysis
11 Consumers Analysis of Food-grade Alcohol
11.1 Consumer 1 Analysis
11.2 Consumer 2 Analysis
11.3 Consumer 3 Analysis
11.4 Consumer 4 Analysis
12 Conclusion of the Global Food-grade Alcohol Market Professional Survey Report
Methodology
Analyst Introduction
Data Source
List of Tables and Figures
Figure Picture of Food-grade Alcohol
Table Product Specifications of Food-grade Alcohol
Table Classification of Food-grade Alcohol
Figure Global Production Market Share of Food-grade Alcohol by Type in
Figure Grains Picture
Table Major Manufacturers of Grains
Figure Fruits Picture
Table Major Manufacturers of Fruits
Figure Others Picture
Table Major Manufacturers of Others
Table Applications of Food-grade Alcohol
Figure Global Consumption Volume Market Share of Food-grade Alcohol by Application in
Figure Food Examples
Table Major Consumers in Food
Figure Beverage Examples
Table Major Consumers in Beverage
Figure Health care & Pharmaceuticals Examples
Table Major Consumers in Health care & Pharmaceuticals
Figure Market Share of Food-grade Alcohol by Regions
Figure North America Food-grade Alcohol Market Size (Million USD) (2013-2025)
Figure Europe Food-grade Alcohol Market Size (Million USD) (2013-2025)
Figure China Food-grade Alcohol Market Size (Million USD) (2013-2025)
Figure Japan Food-grade Alcohol Market Size (Million USD) (2013-2025)
Figure Southeast Asia Food-grade Alcohol Market Size (Million USD) (2013-2025)
Figure India Food-grade Alcohol Market Size (Million USD) (2013-2025)
Table Food-grade Alcohol Raw Material and Suppliers
Table Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Food-grade Alcohol in
Figure Manufacturing Process Analysis of Food-grade Alcohol
Figure Industry Chain Structure of Food-grade Alcohol
Table Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Food-grade Alcohol Major Manufacturers
Table Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Food-grade Alcohol Major Manufacturers
Table R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Food-grade Alcohol Major Manufacturers
Table Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Food-grade Alcohol Major Manufacturers
Table Global Capacity, Sales , Price, Cost, Sales Revenue (M USD) and Gross Margin of Food-grade Alcohol E
Figure Global E Food-grade Alcohol Market Size (Volume) and Growth Rate
Figure Global E Food-grade Alcohol Market Size (Value) and Growth Rate
Table E Global Food-grade Alcohol Capacity and Growth Rate
Table Global Food-grade Alcohol Capacity (K MT) List (Company Segment)
Table E Global Food-grade Alcohol Sales (K MT) and Growth Rate
Table Global Food-grade Alcohol Sales (K MT) List (Company Segment)
Table E Global Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price (USD/MT)
Table Global Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price (USD/MT) List (Company Segment)
Figure North America Capacity Overview
Table North America Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Food-grade Alcohol E
Figure North America E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure North America Food-grade Alcohol Sales Market Share
Figure Europe Capacity Overview
Table Europe Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Food-grade Alcohol E
Figure Europe E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure Europe Food-grade Alcohol Sales Market Share
Figure China Capacity Overview
Table China Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Food-grade Alcohol E
Figure China E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure China Food-grade Alcohol Sales Market Share
Figure Japan Capacity Overview
Table Japan Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Food-grade Alcohol E
Figure Japan E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure Japan Food-grade Alcohol Sales Market Share
Figure Southeast Asia Capacity Overview
Table Southeast Asia Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Food-grade Alcohol E
Figure Southeast Asia E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure Southeast Asia Food-grade Alcohol Sales Market Share
Figure India Capacity Overview
Table India Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Food-grade Alcohol E
Figure India E Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure India Food-grade Alcohol Sales Market Share
Table Global E Food-grade Alcohol Sales (K MT) by Type
Table Different Types Food-grade Alcohol Product Interview Price
Table Global E Food-grade Alcohol Sales (K MT) by Application
Table Different Application Food-grade Alcohol Product Interview Price
Table Archer Daniels Midland Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Archer Daniels Midland Food-grade Alcohol Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Archer Daniels Midland Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution
Table Cargill Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Cargill Food-grade Alcohol Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Cargill Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution
Table MGP Ingredients Information List
Table Product Overview
Table MGP Ingredients Food-grade Alcohol Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure MGP Ingredients Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution
Table Jiangsu Huating Biotechnology Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Jiangsu Huating Biotechnology Food-grade Alcohol Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Jiangsu Huating Biotechnology Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution
Table RoquetteFreres Information List
Table Product Overview
Table RoquetteFreres Food-grade Alcohol Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure RoquetteFreres Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution
Table Fonterra Co-operative Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Fonterra Co-operative Food-grade Alcohol Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Fonterra Co-operative Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution
Table Cristalco Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Cristalco Food-grade Alcohol Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Cristalco Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution
Table Grain Processing Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Grain Processing Food-grade Alcohol Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Grain Processing Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution
Table Wilmar International Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Wilmar International Food-grade Alcohol Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Wilmar International Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution
Table Manildra Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Manildra Food-grade Alcohol Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Manildra Food-grade Alcohol Business Region Distribution
Figure Global 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Market Size (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure Global 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure Global 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Sales Price (USD/MT) Forecast
Figure North America 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure China 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure Europe 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure Southeast Asia 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure Japan 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure India 2018-2025 Food-grade Alcohol Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Table Global Sales Volume (K MT) of Food-grade Alcohol by Type 2018-2025
Table Global Consumption Volume (K MT) of Food-grade Alcohol by Application 2018-2025
Table Traders or Distributors with Contact Information of Food-grade Alcohol by Region
Enhanced Segment Analysis
To provide deeper granularity, the market is categorized as follows:
A. By Source (Type)
-
Sugarcane & Molasses: Dominant in regions like Brazil and India; preferred for its high yield and sustainability profile.
-
Grains: Includes Corn (dominant in the US), Wheat, Rye, and Barley. Preferred for premium spirit production.
-
Fruits & Berries: Used primarily for specialty brandies, flavors, and artisanal botanical extractions.
-
Others: Includes Cellulosic biomass and sugar beets.
B. By Application
-
Beverages: Craft spirits, fortified wines, and liqueurs.
-
Food Processing: Used as a preservative, solvent for colorants/flavorings, and in the production of vinegar and yeast.
-
Health Care & Pharmaceuticals: Used as a solvent for medicines, herbal extractions, and in the formulation of high-purity sanitizers.
-
Cosmetics & Personal Care: High-purity alcohol used in perfumes and premium skincare products where "food-grade" safety is a marketing advantage.
3. Key Market Players
The following companies are the primary drivers of production capacity and technological innovation in the sector:
-
North America: Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Cargill, MGP Ingredients, Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), Greenfield Global.
-
Europe: Cristalco, Roquette Frères, Tereos, Südzucker AG, CropEnergies.
-
Asia-Pacific: Wilmar International, Manildra Group, Godavari Biorefineries (India), Jiangsu Huating Biotechnology (China), Fonterra Co-operative Group.
-
South America: Raízen (Brazil), São Martinho.
4. Regional Analysis
-
North America: The largest producer of corn-based food-grade alcohol. Growth is driven by the craft distillery boom and pharmaceutical demand.
-
Europe: High focus on wheat-based and non-GMO alcohol. Stringent REACH and EFSA regulations define the quality landscape here.
-
Asia-Pacific: The fastest-growing region. Rapid urbanization in India and China is increasing the consumption of processed foods and beverages.
-
Latin America: Brazil remains a global powerhouse due to its cost-efficient sugarcane ethanol production.
