Lactic acid trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in lactic acid was worth $851.2 million in 2024, about 428.7 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 32% since 2017, and up 3% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $851.2M | 428.7K t |
| 2023 | $828.7M | 381.0K t |
| 2022 | $900.1M | 424.0K t |
| 2021 | $748.2M | 418.2K t |
| 2020 | $665.6M | 410.0K t |
| 2019 | $631.8M | 372.5K t |
| 2018 | $692.1M | 399.0K t |
| 2017 | $643.4M | 380.2K t |
Top lactic acid exporting countries
The Netherlands is the largest exporter with 22% of world exports, followed by China and Thailand. The top three supply 56% between them, out of 89 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $185.7M | 22% |
| China | $153.7M | 18% |
| Thailand | $134.5M | 16% |
| Spain | $75.9M | 8.9% |
| Belgium | $67.9M | 8% |
| France | $67.3M | 7.9% |
| United States | $32.4M | 3.8% |
| Germany | $30.7M | 3.6% |
| Brazil | $27.5M | 3.2% |
| India | $9.8M | 1.2% |
| Japan | $8.9M | 1.1% |
| South Korea | $7.9M | 0.9% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are the Netherlands (10%), the United States (10%) and Spain (8%). 170 countries imported it, and the top three take 28% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $84.5M | 9.9% |
| United States | $80.9M | 9.5% |
| Spain | $71.3M | 8.4% |
| Germany | $54.7M | 6.4% |
| Italy | $44.4M | 5.2% |
| China | $42.6M | 5% |
| South Korea | $40.5M | 4.8% |
| Japan | $39.6M | 4.7% |
| Mexico | $32.5M | 3.8% |
| Belgium | $30.6M | 3.6% |
| France | $22.7M | 2.7% |
| Poland | $20.4M | 2.4% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $1.99 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Germany averaged $4.06 per kg and Thailand $1.16 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Lactic acid (HS 2918.11) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2918.11: Acids: carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), lactic acid, its salts and esters. HS 2918 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most lactic acid?
The Netherlands exported $185.7 million in 2024, 22% of the world total, followed by China (18%) and Thailand (16%). In all, 89 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most lactic acid?
The Netherlands imported $84.5 million in 2024, 10% of world imports, ahead of the United States (10%) and Spain (8%). The top three importers together take 28%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in lactic acid?
It was worth $851.2 million in 2024, about 428.7 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 32% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $900.1 million. 89 countries reported exports and 170 reported imports.
What is the average price of lactic acid per kg?
The world average declared value was about $1.99 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Germany averaged $4.06 per kg and Thailand $1.16 per kg, so grade and origin matter. The average mixes every grade and size, so use it as a market reference rather than an offer.
What is the HS code for lactic acid?
The HS code for lactic acid is subheading 2918.11, in chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 2918 page.
How can I find lactic acid buyers and suppliers?
Company names sit below these country totals: EximDataX reads the customs records shipment by shipment, with dates and values. We can show lactic acid buyers and suppliers on a short call.
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