Global Citral Market Research Report: 2026–2036
1. Market Overview
Citral (C10H16OC_{10}H_{16}OH16O), also known as 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal, is a vital unsaturated aldehyde characterized by its intense lemon-like aroma. It exists as a mixture of two geometric isomers: geranial (citral a) and neral (citral b). While naturally present in lemongrass, litsea cubeba, and citrus oils, the industrial market is dominated by synthetic citral due to its high purity and consistent supply chain. Citral serves as a critical chemical intermediate for the synthesis of Vitamin A, ionones, and synthetic menthol.
Market Valuation:
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Base Year (2025) Value: Estimated at USD 1.25 Billion.
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Projected Value (2036): Estimated to reach USD 1.98 Billion.
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CAGR: 4.3% (Forecast Period 2026–2036).
2. Expanded Key Players
The citral market is an oligopolistic landscape characterized by high technical barriers and capital intensity.
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BASF SE (Germany) – Global leader with proprietary isobutene-to-citral technology.
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Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Japan) – Major producer using the prenol/preneral pathway.
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Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd. (China) – Key player in the Vitamin A value chain.
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Symrise AG (Germany) – Integrated producer focusing on fragrances and flavors.
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Privi Speciality Chemicals (India) – Significant regional player in natural and synthetic aroma chemicals.
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Kalpsutra Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. (India)
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Jiangxi Xuesong Natural Medicinal Oil (China)
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Givaudan (Switzerland) – Primary consumer and specialized producer for luxury scents.
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Takasago International Corporation (Japan)
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Wacker Chemie AG (Germany)
3. Comprehensive Market Segmentation
By Source
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Synthetic Citral: Dominates the industrial sector (approx. 85% market share) due to its use as a feedstock for Vitamin A and Menthol.
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Natural Citral: Sourced from lemongrass and Litsea cubeba; favored by the "Clean Label" and organic aromatherapy sectors.
By Grade
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Pharmaceutical Grade: High purity (>98%) used for Vitamin A synthesis.
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Technical Grade: Used in industrial cleaners and agricultural chemicals.
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Food/Fragrance Grade: Used for lemon essence and flavoring agents.
By Application
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Vitamin A Synthesis: The largest consumer segment; citral is a primary precursor for animal feed additives.
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Menthol Synthesis: Growing demand for L-menthol in oral care and tobacco.
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Ionones & Methyl Ionones: Intermediate for violet-type fragrances and cosmetics.
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Flavor & Fragrance: Direct use in beverages, detergents, and perfumes.
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Others: Including therapeutic oils and specialty chemical intermediates.
4. Regional Analysis
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Asia-Pacific (Dominant Region): China and India are the hubs for Vitamin A and Menthol production. Southeast Asia (Malaysia) has seen capacity expansions by global leaders to mitigate supply chain risks in Europe.
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Europe (Technology Leader): Germany remains the center of citral innovation and chemical synthesis. Strict REACH regulations influence the adoption of sustainable manufacturing processes.
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North America: High demand for citrus-flavored beverages and high-end fragrance applications drives the market.
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Middle East & Africa: Emerging demand for citral-based flavorings in the food processing sectors of UAE and Saudi Arabia.
5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
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Bargaining Power of Buyers (Moderate): Major Vitamin A producers often have long-term contracts, but buyers can be affected by the extreme price volatility of citral.
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Bargaining Power of Suppliers (High): Raw materials like isobutene and formaldehyde are linked to the petrochemical cycle. Furthermore, the limited number of citral manufacturers gives them significant power.
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Threat of New Entrants (Low): Complex catalytic processes, intellectual property protections, and massive capital expenditure requirements deter new players.
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Threat of Substitutes (Low for Chemicals, Moderate for Fragrance): There is no viable substitute for citral in Vitamin A synthesis. In fragrances, other citrus aldehydes can be used, though they lack citral's specific profile.
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Competitive Rivalry (High): Competition is intense among the top three global players (BASF, Kuraray, NHU) particularly during periods of capacity expansion.
6. SWOT Analysis
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Strengths: Indispensable intermediate for essential vitamins; high-barrier technology creates a protected market.
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Weaknesses: Highly concentrated production (a shutdown at one plant can cripple global supply).
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Opportunities: Rise of synthetic L-menthol demand; growth in bio-catalytic synthesis methods.
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Threats: Fluctuating petrochemical prices; environmental regulations regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
7. Trend Analysis
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The Menthol Shift: Increasing transition from natural peppermint oil to citral-derived synthetic menthol for price stability and purity.
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Sustainable Chemistry: Development of "Green Citral" using bio-based feedstocks to appeal to eco-conscious fragrance houses.
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Feed Additive Volatility: Direct correlation between global meat consumption (Vitamin A demand) and citral production cycles.
8. Drivers & Challenges
Drivers:
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Growth in Animal Husbandry: Increasing demand for fortified feed in Asia and Latin America.
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Aromatherapy Boom: Post-pandemic interest in natural wellness and lemon-scented essential oils.
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Technological Maturation: Improved yields in the synthesis from petrochemical precursors.
Challenges:
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Supply Fragility: Historical plant fires and supply shocks have led to extreme price spikes.
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Regulatory Scrutiny: Citral is identified as a potential allergen in cosmetics, requiring precise labeling in the EU.
9. Value Chain Analysis
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Feedstock Sourcing: Procurement of isobutene, formaldehyde, or natural lemongrass oil.
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Synthesis/Extraction: Chemical reaction pathways (e.g., Carroll reaction) or steam distillation.
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Purification: Fractionation to achieve specific geranial/neral ratios.
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Downstream Processing: Synthesis into Vitamin A, Menthol, or Ionones.
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End-User Distribution: Sale to feed mills, cosmetic houses, and food manufacturers.
10. Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders
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For Manufacturers: Focus on multi-site production strategies to avoid global market disruptions caused by local plant issues.
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For Buyers (Fragrance/Food): Secure long-term volume contracts to hedge against the inherent price volatility of the Vitamin A market.
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For Investors: Monitor the synthetic menthol capacity of emerging players, as this is the highest growth sub-sector outside of vitamins.
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For R&D Teams: Prioritize halogen-free catalysts and lower-energy distillation techniques to meet upcoming ESG standards in the chemical industry.
Table of Contents
Global Citral Market Professional Survey Report
1 Industry Overview of Citral
1.1 Definition and Specifications of Citral
1.1.1 Definition of Citral
1.1.2 Specifications of Citral
1.2 Classification of Citral
1.2.1 Natural Citral
1.2.2 Synthetic Citral
1.3 Applications of Citral
1.3.1 Lemon Essence
1.3.2 Vitamin A
1.3.3 Ionone
1.3.4 Menthol
1.3.5 Others
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 Citral
2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers
2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Citral
2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Citral
2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Citral
3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Citral
3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Citral Major Manufacturers in
3.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Citral Major Manufacturers in
3.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Citral Major Manufacturers in
3.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Citral Major Manufacturers in
4 Global Citral Overall Market Overview
4.1 -E Overall Market Analysis
4.2 Capacity Analysis
4.2.1 -E Global Citral Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis
4.2.2 Citral Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)
4.3 Sales Analysis
4.3.1 -E Global Citral Sales and Growth Rate Analysis
4.3.2 Citral Sales Analysis (Company Segment)
4.4 Sales Price Analysis
4.4.1 -E Global Citral Sales Price
4.4.2 Citral Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)
5 Citral Regional Market Analysis
5.1 North America Citral Market Analysis
5.1.1 North America Citral Market Overview
5.1.2 North America -E Citral Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.1.3 North America -E Citral Sales Price Analysis
5.1.4 North America Citral Market Share Analysis
5.2 Europe Citral Market Analysis
5.2.1 Europe Citral Market Overview
5.2.2 Europe -E Citral Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.2.3 Europe -E Citral Sales Price Analysis
5.2.4 Europe Citral Market Share Analysis
5.3 China Citral Market Analysis
5.3.1 China Citral Market Overview
5.3.2 China -E Citral Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.3.3 China -E Citral Sales Price Analysis
5.3.4 China Citral Market Share Analysis
5.4 Japan Citral Market Analysis
5.4.1 Japan Citral Market Overview
5.4.2 Japan -E Citral Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.4.3 Japan -E Citral Sales Price Analysis
5.4.4 Japan Citral Market Share Analysis
5.5 Southeast Asia Citral Market Analysis
5.5.1 Southeast Asia Citral Market Overview
5.5.2 Southeast Asia -E Citral Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.5.3 Southeast Asia -E Citral Sales Price Analysis
5.5.4 Southeast Asia Citral Market Share Analysis
5.6 India Citral Market Analysis
5.6.1 India Citral Market Overview
5.6.2 India -E Citral Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis
5.6.3 India -E Citral Sales Price Analysis
5.6.4 India Citral Market Share Analysis
6 Global -E Citral Segment Market Analysis (by Type)
6.1 Global -E Citral Sales by Type
6.2 Different Types of Citral Product Interview Price Analysis
6.3 Different Types of Citral Product Driving Factors Analysis
6.3.1 Natural Citral Growth Driving Factor Analysis
6.3.2 Synthetic Citral Growth Driving Factor Analysis
7 Global -E Citral Segment Market Analysis (by Application)
7.1 Global -E Citral Consumption by Application
7.2 Different Application of Citral Product Interview Price Analysis
7.3 Different Application of Citral Product Driving Factors Analysis
7.3.1 Lemon Essence of Citral Growth Driving Factor Analysis
7.3.2 Vitamin A of Citral Growth Driving Factor Analysis
7.3.3 Ionone of Citral Growth Driving Factor Analysis
7.3.4 Menthol of Citral Growth Driving Factor Analysis
7.3.5 Others of Citral Growth Driving Factor Analysis
8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Citral
8.1 BASF
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 BASF Citral Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.1.4 BASF Citral Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.2 Kuraray
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 Kuraray Citral Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.2.4 Kuraray Citral Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.3 Zhejiang NHU
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 Zhejiang NHU Citral Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.3.4 Zhejiang NHU Citral Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.4 Kalpsutra Chemicals
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 Kalpsutra Chemicals Citral Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.4.4 Kalpsutra Chemicals Citral Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.5 Jiangxi Xuesong
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 Jiangxi Xuesong Citral Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.5.4 Jiangxi Xuesong Citral Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.6 Guangzhou Ri Huace
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 Guangzhou Ri Huace Citral Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.6.4 Guangzhou Ri Huace Citral Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.7 Jiangxi Global Natural Spices
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 Jiangxi Global Natural Spices Citral Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.7.4 Jiangxi Global Natural Spices Citral Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.8 Rajkeerth
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 Rajkeerth Citral Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.8.4 Rajkeerth Citral Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.9 Industrial and Fine Chemicals
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 Industrial and Fine Chemicals Citral Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.9.4 Industrial and Fine Chemicals Citral Business Region Distribution Analysis
8.10 Xinhua Nuowei
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 Xinhua Nuowei Citral Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis
8.10.4 Xinhua Nuowei Citral Business Region Distribution Analysis
9 Development Trend of Analysis of Citral Market
9.1 Global Citral Market Trend Analysis
9.1.1 Global - Citral Market Size (Volume and Value) Forecast
9.1.2 Global - Citral Sales Price Forecast
9.2 Citral Regional Market Trend
9.2.1 North America - Citral Consumption Forecast
9.2.2 Europe - Citral Consumption Forecast
9.2.3 China - Citral Consumption Forecast
9.2.4 Japan - Citral Consumption Forecast
9.2.5 Southeast Asia - Citral Consumption Forecast
9.2.6 India - Citral Consumption Forecast
9.3 Citral Market Trend (Product Type)
9.4 Citral Market Trend (Application)
10 Citral Marketing Type Analysis
10.1 Citral Regional Marketing Type Analysis
10.2 Citral International Trade Type Analysis
10.3 Traders or Distributors with Contact Information of Citral by Region
10.4 Citral Supply Chain Analysis
11 Consumers Analysis of Citral
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 Citral Market Professional Survey Report
Methodology
Analyst Introduction
Data Source
List of Tables and Figures
Figure Picture of Citral
Table Product Specifications of Citral
Table Classification of Citral
Figure Global Production Market Share of Citral by Type in
Figure Natural Citral Picture
Table Major Manufacturers of Natural Citral
Figure Synthetic Citral Picture
Table Major Manufacturers of Synthetic Citral
Table Applications of Citral
Figure Global Consumption Volume Market Share of Citral by Application in
Figure Lemon Essence Examples
Table Major Consumers in Lemon Essence
Figure Vitamin A Examples
Table Major Consumers in Vitamin A
Figure Ionone Examples
Table Major Consumers in Ionone
Figure Menthol Examples
Table Major Consumers in Menthol
Figure Others Examples
Table Major Consumers in Others
Figure Market Share of Citral by Regions
Figure North America Citral Market Size (Million USD) (-)
Figure Europe Citral Market Size (Million USD) (-)
Figure China Citral Market Size (Million USD) (-)
Figure Japan Citral Market Size (Million USD) (-)
Figure Southeast Asia Citral Market Size (Million USD) (-)
Figure India Citral Market Size (Million USD) (-)
Table Citral Raw Material and Suppliers
Table Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Citral in
Figure Manufacturing Process Analysis of Citral
Figure Industry Chain Structure of Citral
Table Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Citral Major Manufacturers in
Table Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Citral Major Manufacturers in
Table R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Citral Major Manufacturers in
Table Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Citral Major Manufacturers in
Table Global Capacity, Sales , Price, Cost, Sales Revenue (M USD) and Gross Margin of Citral -E
Figure Global -E Citral Market Size (Volume) and Growth Rate
Figure Global -E Citral Market Size (Value) and Growth Rate
Table -E Global Citral Capacity and Growth Rate
Table Global Citral Capacity (K MT) List (Company Segment)
Table -E Global Citral Sales (K MT) and Growth Rate
Table Global Citral Sales (K MT) List (Company Segment)
Table -E Global Citral Sales Price (USD/MT)
Table Global Citral Sales Price (USD/MT) List (Company Segment)
Figure North America Capacity Overview
Table North America Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Citral -E
Figure North America -E Citral Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure North America Citral Sales Market Share
Figure Europe Capacity Overview
Table Europe Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Citral -E
Figure Europe -E Citral Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure Europe Citral Sales Market Share
Figure China Capacity Overview
Table China Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Citral -E
Figure China -E Citral Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure China Citral Sales Market Share
Figure Japan Capacity Overview
Table Japan Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Citral -E
Figure Japan -E Citral Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure Japan Citral Sales Market Share
Figure Southeast Asia Capacity Overview
Table Southeast Asia Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Citral -E
Figure Southeast Asia -E Citral Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure Southeast Asia Citral Sales Market Share
Figure India Capacity Overview
Table India Supply, Import, Export and Consumption (K MT) of Citral -E
Figure India -E Citral Sales Price (USD/MT)
Figure India Citral Sales Market Share
Table Global -E Citral Sales (K MT) by Type
Table Different Types Citral Product Interview Price
Table Global -E Citral Sales (K MT) by Application
Table Different Application Citral Product Interview Price
Table BASF Information List
Table Product Overview
Table BASF Citral Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure BASF Citral Business Region Distribution
Table Kuraray Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Kuraray Citral Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Kuraray Citral Business Region Distribution
Table Zhejiang NHU Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Zhejiang NHU Citral Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Zhejiang NHU Citral Business Region Distribution
Table Kalpsutra Chemicals Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Kalpsutra Chemicals Citral Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Kalpsutra Chemicals Citral Business Region Distribution
Table Jiangxi Xuesong Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Jiangxi Xuesong Citral Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Jiangxi Xuesong Citral Business Region Distribution
Table Guangzhou Ri Huace Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Guangzhou Ri Huace Citral Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Guangzhou Ri Huace Citral Business Region Distribution
Table Jiangxi Global Natural Spices Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Jiangxi Global Natural Spices Citral Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Jiangxi Global Natural Spices Citral Business Region Distribution
Table Rajkeerth Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Rajkeerth Citral Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Rajkeerth Citral Business Region Distribution
Table Industrial and Fine Chemicals Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Industrial and Fine Chemicals Citral Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Industrial and Fine Chemicals Citral Business Region Distribution
Table Xinhua Nuowei Information List
Table Product Overview
Table Xinhua Nuowei Citral Revenue (Million USD), Sales (K MT), Ex-factory Price (USD/MT)
Figure Xinhua Nuowei Citral Business Region Distribution
Figure Global - Citral Market Size (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure Global - Citral Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure Global - Citral Sales Price (USD/MT) Forecast
Figure North America - Citral Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure China - Citral Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure Europe - Citral Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure Southeast Asia - Citral Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure Japan - Citral Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Figure India - Citral Consumption Volume (K MT) and Growth Rate Forecast
Table Global Sales Volume (K MT) of Citral by Type -
Table Global Consumption Volume (K MT) of Citral by Application -
Table Traders or Distributors with Contact Information of Citral by Region
Expanded Key Players
The citral market is an oligopolistic landscape characterized by high technical barriers and capital intensity.
-
BASF SE (Germany) – Global leader with proprietary isobutene-to-citral technology.
-
Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Japan) – Major producer using the prenol/preneral pathway.
-
Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd. (China) – Key player in the Vitamin A value chain.
-
Symrise AG (Germany) – Integrated producer focusing on fragrances and flavors.
-
Privi Speciality Chemicals (India) – Significant regional player in natural and synthetic aroma chemicals.
-
Kalpsutra Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. (India)
-
Jiangxi Xuesong Natural Medicinal Oil (China)
-
Givaudan (Switzerland) – Primary consumer and specialized producer for luxury scents.
-
Takasago International Corporation (Japan)
-
Wacker Chemie AG (Germany)
3. Comprehensive Market Segmentation
By Source
-
Synthetic Citral: Dominates the industrial sector (approx. 85% market share) due to its use as a feedstock for Vitamin A and Menthol.
-
Natural Citral: Sourced from lemongrass and Litsea cubeba; favored by the "Clean Label" and organic aromatherapy sectors.
By Grade
-
Pharmaceutical Grade: High purity (>98%) used for Vitamin A synthesis.
-
Technical Grade: Used in industrial cleaners and agricultural chemicals.
-
Food/Fragrance Grade: Used for lemon essence and flavoring agents.
By Application
-
Vitamin A Synthesis: The largest consumer segment; citral is a primary precursor for animal feed additives.
-
Menthol Synthesis: Growing demand for L-menthol in oral care and tobacco.
-
Ionones & Methyl Ionones: Intermediate for violet-type fragrances and cosmetics.
-
Flavor & Fragrance: Direct use in beverages, detergents, and perfumes.
-
Others: Including therapeutic oils and specialty chemical intermediates.
