Propionic Acid Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis By Application (Animal Feed, Food & Beverages, Agrochemicals, Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2026-2034

The global propionic acid market size was valued at USD 1.21 billion in 2025. The market is projected to grow from USD 1.25 billion in 2026 to USD 1.64 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.44% during the forecast period.

The global propionic acid market rises due to growing need from farmers today. More people worldwide require more food, which creates a stronger need for grain and animal feed protection methods. Propionic acid helps keep products fresh as a naturally occurring carboxylic acid. The feed and food production sectors use it to protect the food from mould and bacteria while keeping it shelf-stable. Its use reaches beyond these areas into producing pharmaceuticals and making cellulose acetate propionate.

The market growth comes from consumer demand for packaged foods and their preference for products that last longer. Food manufacturers use propionic acid and its sodium and calcium salt forms as protection against food spoilage, mainly in baked goods and dairy products.

Propionic Acid Market Driver

Easy-to-Use Packaged Foods to Expand the Market

The current food industry needs to preserve its goods safely for longer to compete effectively. Consumers want easy-to-use packaged foods, and their rising demand requires solid preservatives to keep them safe. The food industry uses propionic acid and its salt forms to prevent product spoilage because these substances stop the growth of mould and bacteria.

• According to Wikipedia, Propionic acid inhibits the growth of mould and some bacteria at concentrations between 0.1% and 1% by weight.

Animal Proteins to Advance the Market

The world demands more meat, poultry, and dairy products as people are growing in number and consuming more animal proteins today. The growing need for meat and animal products requires beef producers to run an effective feeding system that focuses on maintaining dietary integrity. Propionic acid contributes to keeping both animal safety and quality nutrition in their feed.

Propionic Acid Market Restraint

Environmental Regulations to Pose Potential Impediments on this Market

Environmental regulations keep growing to limit propionic acid market opportunities. When people worry more about protecting our environment, governments accept stronger rules for engineering chemical products. Like other chemical industries, propionic acid production produces emissions and byproducts that need proper environmental control measures.

Propionic Acid Market Opportunity

Natural Preservatives to Create Opportunity in this Market

Natural preservatives keep increasing demand, which creates a substantial opportunity for the propionic acid business. As customers pay more attention to their wellness and Earth, they look to buy goods made from natural substances with few science-created additions. Propionic acid fits industry preferences well as it forms naturally, and producers obtain it through biotechnology fermentation.

Segmentation

Analysis by Application

By application, the propionic acid market is divided into animal feed, food & beverages, agrochemicals, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and others.

The animal feed market leads as producers need it to protect feed from degradation while keeping its nutritional value. Food manufacturers use propionic acid to protect animal feed since it prevents mould and bacterial growth in grains and silage. Farmers must use propionic acid in feed to keep foods safe and preserve nutritional contents for their entire livestock operations. The beef industry grows as more people worldwide want meat, dairy, and chicken products, which require businesses to operate better.

The demand for propionic acid doubles from both food processing industries that require effective preservation solutions and dairies that need longer shelf life. People use propionic acid and its salts as food additives to stop decay in many foods such as baked goods, dairy items, processed meats, and sweets. The wide use of fermented foods helps grow market demand as consumers see propionic acid as both safe and natural for food preservation.

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Market drivers, restraints and opportunities
• Influence of key industrial players and key developments
• Growth of agriculture
• Usage of packaged foods

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the propionic acid market has been studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Propionic acid demand in North America, especially the U.S., grows as farmers and food producers create rapid market expansion. The heavy use of processed food plus livestock farms across the region needs propionic acid as a food protection system. Farms in the U.S. widely use propionic acid as a feed additive because their advanced farming methods need a safe way to keep animal feed fresh. The food processing companies in North America heavily use propionic acid because there are many food processors in the region. North America sees the U.S. as its biggest market participant. Because of both its strong farming activities and extensive food packing facilities, the U.S. requires plenty of propionic acid. U.S. regulations on food and animal feed safety motivate strong propionic acid purchasing. The U.S. pharmaceutical companies rely on propionic acid for their manufacturing needs.

Europe dominates the propionic acid business due to its strong food manufacturing background and official food quality controls. European buyers want food products made from natural ingredients, so bio-based propionic acid finds more sales opportunities across this market. Sustainable agricultural practices and caring for animals boost the need for propionic acid in animal feed across the region. Germany, in particular, plays a significant role in the European market due to its strong industrial base and emphasis on quality standards. Both European cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies add to the market need.

• According to Eurostat, in 2022, the European Union produced approximately 10.43 million tons of cheese, a process that involves propionic acid bacteria.

The Asia Pacific region is propelling fast market growth of propionic acid as their population expands, and many people earn more money while needing more processed foods. Many large-scale farmers use propionic acid in China and India to preserve grains and boost animal feed production in their agricultural sectors. The expanding Asian Pacific middle class wants packaged food items and quick meals, which makes the marketplace grow faster. The region develops its livestock farming and fish farming businesses, which create extra need for propionic acid. The growth of pharmaceutical businesses across Asian Pacific countries raises product needs for propionic acid.

Key Players Covered

The report includes the profiles of the following key players:

• BASF SE (Germany)
• DOW (U.S.)
• Eastman Chemical Company (U.S.)
• Oxea GMBH (Germany)
• PERSTORP ORGNR (Sweden)
• Krishna Chemicals (India)
• Celanese Corporation (U.S.)
• BIOMIN HOLDING GMBH (Germany)
• A.M. FOOD CHEMICAL CO. LTD (China)
• DAICEL CORPORATION (Japan)

Key Industry Developments

• In January 2025, BASF focused its operations on expanding propionic acid production in Germany and China to support animal feed and food preservation demand. The company BASF works to produce operations that conserve natural resources. In 2025, BASF Performance Materials began using renewable power sources at every plant it operates across Europe. Sustainability goals influence every step of BASF operations while they make propionic acid. When BASF enlarges its propionic acid manufacturing facilities, it will include eco-friendly factory operations and procedures.
• In February 2025, Perstorp enhanced its Pro-Environment product collection through renewable materials and mass-balance techniques to decrease carbon emissions. Their main goal is to deliver products that equal or exceed fossil-based standards with better sustainability benefits. The company produces ISCC PLUS-approved biogas and renewable bio or bio-circular methanol and propylene materials. The company will definitely develop more sustainable propionic acid products in the future.
• In February 2025, Eastman Chemical took part in financial market activities through a senior note offering. The company takes regular business decisions to enlarge its product range. The funds from financial markets enable future company development, including purchase deals. Eastman regularly raises the selling prices of its Oxo production and other items across its product lines. Eastman has a background in strategic business acquisitions. Eastman aims to enlarge its speciality materials division as its primary business strategy. Eastman keeps seeking chances to increase its speciality chemical business by buying new operations.