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L-Citrulline Market Size

ID: MRFR//0315-CR | 97 Pages | Author: Anshula Mandaokar| November 2018

L-citrulline, a nonessential amino acid, has garnered widespread use in the food industry, playing a crucial role in urea production for ammonia content. Moreover, its significance extends to the pharmaceuticals sector, where it is utilized in drug preparation for various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s, and sexual dysfunction. Despite its broad applications, L-citrulline constitutes only a small fraction of the global amino acid market, accounting for approximately 1% of the overall amino acid demand. In 2017, the global L-citrulline market reached a valuation of USD 28,097.9 thousand, and projections indicate a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.16%, poised to culminate in a value of USD 40,213.9 thousand by the end of 2023.

The growth trajectory of the L-citrulline market is propelled by its expanding usage in various domains, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and animal feed. Changing consumer lifestyles and dietary habits, marked by an increased preference for nutritional foods and beverages, contribute significantly to the surge in demand. With a heightened focus on healthy eating, packed functional foods and beverages are witnessing a rise, with L-citrulline serving as a nutritional supplement in their production. Additionally, in beverages, L-citrulline acts as a flavor enhancer and nutritional supplement. The escalating demand for nutritional and performance drinks, driven by evolving dietary habits among on-the-go consumers, is expected to be a key factor fueling the substantial growth of the global L-citrulline market in the years to come.

Rising expenditures on healthier snacks and nutrition-rich drinks, coupled with changing lifestyles and increased per capita incomes, contribute to the heightened demand for L-citrulline. Moreover, growing consumer awareness regarding the health benefits of functional products, particularly in emerging economies like India, China, and Thailand, is propelling the demand for functional foods and beverages. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported a surge in the value of health food sales from USD 7 billion in 2012 to around USD 36 billion in 2017. In developed markets, the busy work schedules of consumers are driving substantial spending on nutritional and performance drinks, further propelling market growth.

A pivotal development contributing to the positive momentum of the market is the approval of pharmaceutical-grade L-citrulline by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). This approval allows for its formulation in various pharmaceutical formats, including powder, tablets, capsules, or liquid. The pharmaceutical-grade L-citrulline is recognized for its efficacy in addressing various health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, dementia, Alzheimer’s, hypertension, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, sickle cell disease, and Reye’s syndrome. The prevalence of such diseases, coupled with the expansion of the pharmaceutical industry, underscores the escalating demand for L-citrulline in pharmaceutical applications.

The market's segmentation by application includes food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and personal care, and agriculture and animal feed. The food and beverage segment, accounting for a 36.0% market share with a value of USD 10,106.8 thousand in 2017, is expected to reach USD 13,906.8 thousand by 2023. The growth in this segment is attributed to the increasing demand for packed functional foods.

Covered Aspects:

Report Attribute/Metric Details
Market Size Value In 2022 USD 0.11 Billion
Market Size Value In 2023 USD 0.12 Billion
Growth Rate 6.16% (2023-2032)

Global L-Citrulline Market Overview


L-Citrulline Market Size was valued at USD 0.12 Billion in 2023. The L-Citrulline market industry is projected to grow from USD 0.13 Billion in 2024 to USD 0.19 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.12% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Rising consumer knowledge of L-citrulline's health advantages is the key market driver enhancing market growth.


L-Citrulline Market Overview


Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review


L-Citrulline Market Trends




  • High adoption of L-Citrulline in different beneficial ways is driving market growth.




Market CAGR for L-Citrulline is driven by the significant impact of consumers' lifestyles that are changing quickly in tandem with rising disposable income levels. Following this, the rising incidence of diseases like dementia, Alzheimer's, sickle cell anemia, and erectile dysfunction, among others, has drawn the attention of drug manufacturers to the healthcare industry, which is also acting as a key factor favoring the growth of the l-citrulline market over the forecast period. The l-citrulline market is expanding favorably due to the extensive interest in this organic molecule obtained from plants and animals. L-citrulline offers many health benefits that have attracted a lot of media attention.


Additionally, the product's widespread use as a nutritional supplement is the main driver of the market's expansion. Besides this, the market for l-citrulline is expanding due to the rising demand for food items, nutrient-rich beverages, and energy drinks. However, the low growth rate of the feed industry may serve as a major barrier to the l-citrulline market's growth rate during the forecast period. In contrast, the sharp decline in livestock production may threaten the market's expansion during the abovementioned forecast.


Furthermore, the rising product adoption across various industries and the rising use of the ingredient in producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in the healthcare industry will present many additional opportunities for growth for the l-citrulline market during the abovementioned forecast because of the many advantages that come with L-Citrulline, such as its use in energy drinks, foods, and beverages, and its ability to detect chronic diseases early.


For instance, China's Ningbo Sinorigin Bio-Products Co., Ltd. is heavily investing in research and development to expand its client base and get a competitive advantage in the future market. Thus, driving the l-citrulline market revenue.


L-Citrulline Market Segment Insights


L-Citrulline Type Insights


The l-citrulline market segmentation, based on type, includes powder type and crystal type. The powder-type segment dominated the market, accounting for 56% of market revenue (0.06 Billion). It is more profitable to manufacture beverages in powder form than in liquid form since powder has several advantages over liquid in terms of transportation and storage costs.


L-Citrulline Classification Insights


The l-citrulline market segmentation, based on classifications, includes medical grade and food grade. The food grade category generated the most income (70.4%), with the highest CAGR. L-citrulline is a naturally occurring amino acid complex created by the human body naturally and is also present in some food items. It is good for the health.


L-Citrulline Application Insights


The l-citrulline market segmentation, based on application, includes cosmetic & personal care, food & beverages, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, and others. The food and beverages category generated the most income (60.3%), with the highest CAGR. The main causes of this increase are increased disposable income, rapid urbanisation, altered lifestyles, and rising demand for sports nutrition and nutritional supplements, among other factors. Throughout the forecast period, rising protein-rich food and beverage consumption is anticipated to benefit the market as a whole.


Figure 1: L-Citrulline Market by Application, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)


L-Citrulline Market by Application, 2022 & 2032


Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review


L-Citrulline Regional Insights


By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The North American l-citrulline market will dominate this market, as it is assumed that the North American area is displaying a good growth rate towards the L-Citrulline market during the anticipated period because of strong nations like Canada and the U.S.


Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The US, Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.


Figure 2: L-CITRULLINE MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion)


L-CITRULLINE MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022


Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review


Europe's l-citrulline market accounts for the second-largest market share because Germany is the leading nation in Europe, and numerous well-known food and beverage producers exist. The demand for L-citrulline may increase in the next years due to investments in the cosmetics industry and the growing personal care market. Further, the German l-citrulline market held the largest market share, and the UK l-citrulline market was the second-largest growing market in the European region.


The Asia-Pacific l-citrulline market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. This is due to the existence of several developing nations, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, and others, whose per capita income levels have dramatically increased. Additionally, there is a movement toward changing consumer food patterns. Moreover, China’s l-citrulline market held the largest market share, and the Indian l-citrulline market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.


L-Citrulline Key Market Players & Competitive Insights


Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development to expand their product lines, which will help the l-citrulline market, grow even more. Participants in the market are also engaging in a variety of strategic initiatives to footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. To expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate, the l-citrulline industry must offer cost-effective items.


Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics manufacturers use in the l-citrulline industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the l-citrulline industry has offered some of the most significant advantages. Major players in the l-citrulline market, including Premium Ingredient Co., Ltd (China), MH2 Biochemical Co., Ltd (South Korea), Nutra Green Biotechnology Co., Ltd (U.K.), Santo Jiahe Biotech (China), Wuhan Soleado Technology Co., Ltd. (China), Newseed Chemical Co., Limited (China), TCI Chemicals Private Limited (India), Ningbo Sinorigin Bio-Products Co., Ltd. (China), Merck KGaA (Germany), Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd. (Japan).


Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd. provides specialty chemical products. Amino and nucleic acids are the main products the company produces and sells for use in industry and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, bulk medications are made by Kyowa Hakko Bio. For instance, in April 2017, An amino acid mixture called "Setria Performance Blend" by KYOWA HAKKO BIO CO.LTD. was introduced; it contains l-citrulline and is intended to increase the body's synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). The sports nutrition market is anticipated to be a big buyer of this product.


Ningbo Sypo Industry Co. Ltd. manufactures home furniture-related products. The company manufactures pedals, brakes, derailleurs, child car seats, and other bicycle components. Products from Ningbo Sypo Industry are sold both domestically and abroad. For instance, China's Ningbo Sinorigin Bio-Products Co., Ltd. is heavily investing in research and development to expand its client base and get a competitive advantage in the future market.


Key Companies in the L-Citrulline market include



  • Premium Ingredient Co., Ltd (China)

  • MH2 Biochemical Co., Ltd (South Korea)

  • Nutra Green Biotechnology Co., Ltd (U.K.)

  • Santo Jiahe Biotech (China)

  • Wuhan Soleado Technology Co., Ltd. (China)

  • Newsfeed Chemical Co., Limited (China)

  • TCI Chemicals Private Limited (India)

  • Ningbo Sinorigin Bio-Products Co., Ltd. (China)

  • Merck KGaA (Germany)

  • Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd. (Japan)


L-Citrulline Industry Developments


July 2021: The three newest pre-workout supplements from Steel Supplements have been released, providing the endurance, energy, and power needed to get through the toughest exercises. The most recent exercises, Pumped AF, PRE, and N.O.7, are designed to help users, from novices to fitness enthusiasts, get the most out of their workouts. L-Theanine, L-Phenylalanine, Lion's Mane extract, Kre-Alkalyn, Beta-Alanine, Vitamins B12, B9, B3, B6, Caffeine Anhydrous, beetroot extract, L-Tyrosine, and L-Citrulline are a few of the important substances employed in these newest products.


May 2021: - Anther is the only patented, plant-based daily supplement created specifically for young and long-term penile wellness, and it is currently on sale at antherwellness.com. At age 30, most men begin to experience problems with those muscles, and from that point on, nature might continually test a man's strength to a greater extent. L-Citrulline, Ginger, Muira Puama, and Paullinia Cupana are just a few plant-based constituents in Anther.


April 2018: In the production facility located at Jombang, Indonesia, CJ CheilJedang Corp. declared its intentions to start a production line exclusively dedicated to producing l-arginine and l-citrulline.


L-Citrulline Market Segmentation


L-Citrulline Type Outlook



  • Powder Type

  • Crystal Type


L-Citrulline Classification Outlook



  • Medical Grade

  • Food Grade


L-Citrulline Applications Outlook



  • Cosmetic & Personal Care

  • Food & Beverages

  • Agriculture

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Animal Feed

  • Other


L-Citrulline Regional Outlook



  • North America

    • US

    • Canada



  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • UK

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Rest of Europe



  • Asia-Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Australia

    • Rest of Asia-Pacific



  • Rest of the World

    • Middle East

    • Africa

    • Latin America



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