Citric acid, its salts and esters market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the Czech market for citric acid and its salts experienced growing demand, driven by shifting consumer preferences toward eco-friendly and multi-purpose products. Citric acid gained popularity as a natural preservative in the food industry and as an effective cleaning agent in households. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further amplified interest in cleaning and disinfecting products, supporting import volumes which rose from 8 200 tons in 2018 to 9 405 tons in 2022. Market volume in physical terms increased from 7 601 tons in 2018 to 8 273 tons in 2021.

After peaking in 2022, imports in kind declined to 7 907 tons in 2023 before recovering to 9 712 tons in 2025. In value terms, imports reached a high of 25.5 million USD in 2022, then fell to 14.8 million USD in 2024 and partially rebounded to 16.2 million USD in 2025. Domestic production through 2021 remained below 200 tons annually.

Production citric acid, its salts and esters in Czechia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2019, Czechia's production of citric acid, its salts and esters reached its peak value of 353.6 thousand US dollars. This was followed by a significant drop to 160.2 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing the lowest point in the period. By 2021, production had recovered slightly to 168.9 thousand US dollars, but this still marked a sharp 54.7% decline compared to 2020. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 51.3%, with an average annual decline of 21.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Czechia produced 141.5 tonnes of citric acid, its salts and esters, showing a notable 10.6% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production actually decreased by 4.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports citric acid, its salts and esters from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Czechia's exports of citric acid, its salts and esters have grown for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 575 tonnes, with a 23.1% decline that year. By 2021, exports had surged to 1,175 tonnes, marking a sharp 63.1% year-over-year increase. From 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 57.1%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 16.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Slovakia, Germany, and Poland were the top destinations for Czechia's exports of citric acid, its salts and esters in volume terms. Slovakia accounted for 44.6% of exports, Germany for 19.4%, and Poland for 10.1%. Together, these three countries made up 74.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Czechia's export value of citric acid, its salts and esters has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports reached their minimum at 2,014 thousand US dollars, with a slight 0.6% decline that year. By 2021, exports had jumped to 2,938 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sudden 40.7% year-over-year rise. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 45.1%, with an average annual increase of 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Slovakia, and Poland were the leading markets for Czechia's exports of citric acid, its salts and esters in value terms. Germany held a 31.5% share, Slovakia 28.4%, and Poland 12.4%. Combined, these three countries represented 72.3% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021

Imports citric acid, its salts and esters to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Czechia's imports of citric acid, its salts and esters have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 9,306 tonnes, up 10.1% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 13.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, China, Austria, and Germany were the main sources for Czechia's imports of citric acid, its salts and esters in volume terms. China supplied 36.1% of imports, Austria 24.8%, and Germany 12.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 72.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Czechia's import value of citric acid, its salts and esters rebounded in 2021. In 2020, imports hit their lowest point at 10,380 thousand US dollars, with a 12.9% drop that year. By 2021, imports had soared to 17,094 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 64.7% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 37.6%, with an average annual rise of 11.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, China, Austria, and Germany were the key suppliers for Czechia's imports of citric acid, its salts and esters in value terms. Together, these three markets made up 65.8% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021