Korea's FTC fined Daesang, Sajo CPK, Samyang, and CJ CheilJedang a record 747.6 billion won for fixing starch and starch sugar prices from 2018-2025. The companies must reset prices to pre-collusion levels, which is expected to lower costs for food and manufacturing industries.
Below-normal monsoon rains in India raise fears for sugarcane yield and sugar recovery, prompting a 200-250 rupee per quintal rise in sugar prices. The market incorporates weather risk for the 2026-27 season. If rainfall remains erratic, sugarcane supplies could tighten, pushing prices higher.
In Q1 2026, gluconic acid prices moved upward as corn, its primary feedstock, strengthened across Asian markets due to cautious farmer selling after the holiday period, limited old-crop availability in some regions, and steady buying from processors. China anchored regional sentiment, with feedstock values rising by about 3.52% from January to March and increasing around 5.0% compared with Q4 2025. This raised production pressure for fermentation-based gluconic acid manufacturers, especially where inventories were managed tightly. Downstream demand from food and beverage additives, pharmaceutical intermediates, textile processing, detergents, and construction admixtures remained steady, preventing any sharp demand-led spike but supporting gradual firming. Procurement stayed focused on immediate requirements, as buyers monitored feedstock movement and supply availability.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, near-term gluconic acid prices may remain firm if feedstock availability stays tight and downstream demand from food, pharma, and construction applications remains stable.
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In 2025, gluconic acid market conditions remained largely balanced, shaped by adequate corn and glucose availability alongside steady but measured downstream demand. In Asia, Chinese producers faced competitive supply conditions, while demand from construction additives, food and beverage products, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and industrial cleaning applications provided routine support. However, buyers remained cautious amid uneven manufacturing activity and adequate inventories. In Europe, consumption from food processing, detergents, and construction chemicals remained stable, though weak industrial activity and conservative purchasing restricted stronger momentum. North American markets benefited from consistent requirements from food, cleaning, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors, while a large domestic corn crop and ample supplies helped contain feedstock costs. By the second half, abundant corn availability and controlled buying patterns kept the market broadly stable despite periodic improvements in downstream demand.
Gluconic acid is a mild organic acid derived from glucose by fermentation. It is highly soluble in water and non-toxic, making it suitable for various applications. Commonly used as a food additive, it improves flavor and stabilizes quality. In pharmaceuticals, it enhances mineral absorption. Gluconic acid also serves in concrete mixtures, textile dyeing, and metal cleaning due to its chelating properties. Additionally, it is used in water treatment and as a component in eco-friendly cleaning products.
C6H12O7
Food additive, Pharmaceutical ingredient, Concrete admixture, Cleaning product component, Metal cleaning and plating, Textile dyeing and finishing, Water treatment
Roquette, Jungbunzlauer, PMP, TCI Chemicals, Merck Millipore, R-biopharm, Evonik, Toronto Chemicals
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
The production process is initiated by the oxidation of glucose in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, which serves as a catalyst in the reaction. The process results in oxidizing glucose, producing gluconic acid as the final product.
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