Citric acid imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the United Kingdom imported citric acid worth $52.0 million (39.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Value fell 15% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $98.4 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $52.0M | 39.0K t |
| 2023 | $61.4M | 36.5K t |
| 2022 | $98.4M | 45.5K t |
| 2021 | $53.0M | 40.3K t |
| 2020 | $45.9M | 43.6K t |
| 2019 | $42.9M | 40.8K t |
| 2018 | $46.6M | 40.2K t |
| 2017 | $44.8M | 35.3K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports citric acid from
The largest suppliers were China (39%), Austria (34%), Belgium (9%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $20.2M | 39% |
| Austria | $17.4M | 34% |
| Belgium | $4.8M | 9.2% |
| Ireland | $3.7M | 7.1% |
| Denmark | $2.3M | 4.5% |
| Germany | $1.4M | 2.7% |
| Netherlands | $662K | 1.3% |
| France | $362K | 0.7% |
| Turkey | $237K | 0.5% |
| India | $169K | 0.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.33 per kg, close to the world average of $1.12.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Citric acid exports from the United Kingdom
Exports of citric acid by the United Kingdom reached $3.0 million in 2024 (977 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Angola (12%), Ireland (10%), Israel (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 31%. Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest (+208% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Angola | $343K | 12% |
| Ireland | $295K | 9.9% |
| Israel | $295K | 9.9% |
| Poland | $172K | 5.8% |
| Cameroon | $154K | 5.2% |
| Netherlands | $149K | 5% |
| Belgium | $130K | 4.4% |
| Turkey | $130K | 4.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $127K | 4.3% |
| France | $96K | 3.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom citric acid imports (HS 2918.14): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 2918.14: Acids: carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), citric acid.
Common questions
What is the value of citric acid imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported citric acid worth $52.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 39.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 11th of 208 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was down 15% on 2023.
Which countries supply citric acid to the United Kingdom?
China was the largest supplier with 39% of the value ($20.2 million), followed by Austria (34%) and Belgium (9%). The top three together account for 82%, out of 39 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 153% on the year.
What is the average import price of citric acid per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.33 per kg in 2024, 19% above the world average of $1.12 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of citric acid to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $44.8 million in 2017 to $52.0 million in 2024, an increase of 16%. The peak was 2022 at $98.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $55.6 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export citric acid?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $3.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Angola, Ireland and Israel. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $49.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for citric acid?
The HS code for citric acid is subheading 2918.14. It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2918 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom. Tell us your product to see it live.
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