Apr 13, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Lauric Acid And Others, Salts And Esters – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
Driven by rising demand, the UK market for lauric acid and related products is expected to continue its upward consumption trend. Market volume is anticipated to reach 68K tons by 2035, with a projected CAGR of +0.2%. In value terms, the market is forecasted to grow to $170M by 2035, with a projected CAGR of +2.4%.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 68K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $170M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Lauric Acid And Other Acids, Their Salts And Esters
Consumption of lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters in the UK shrank slightly to 66K tons in 2024, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 91K tons. From 2020 to 2024, the growth of the consumption of remained at a lower figure.
The revenue of the market for lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters in the UK dropped to $130M in 2024, which is down by -14.3% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption recorded a mild contraction. Consumption of peaked at $241M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Lauric Acid And Other Acids, Their Salts And Esters
Production of lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters in the UK contracted to 36K tons in 2024, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 6.5%. Production of peaked at 41K tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, production of lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters totaled $85M in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 8.8% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $115M. From 2015 to 2024, production of growth failed to regain momentum.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Lauric Acid And Other Acids, Their Salts And Esters
In 2024, after two years of decline, there was growth in supplies from abroad of lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters, when their volume increased by 2.9% to 62K tons. In general, imports, however, recorded a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 87K tons. From 2020 to 2024, the growth of imports of remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, imports of lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters contracted to $137M in 2024. Overall, imports, however, showed a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $243M. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of imports of remained at a lower figure.
Imports By Country
In 2023, Sweden (26K tons) constituted the largest supplier of lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters to the UK, accounting for a 43% share of total imports. Moreover, imports of lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters from Sweden exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (10K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (6.9K tons), with an 11% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume from Sweden stood at -1.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+45.4% per year) and Germany (-5.9% per year).
In value terms, the United States ($36M), Sweden ($31M) and Germany ($21M) constituted the largest lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters suppliers to the UK, together accounting for 59% of total imports.
In terms of the main suppliers, the United States, with a CAGR of +33.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average import price for lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters stood at $2,522 per ton in 2023, with a decrease of -32.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 54%. The import price peaked at $3,742 per ton in 2022, and then contracted markedly in the following year.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($7,670 per ton), while the price for Sweden ($1,206 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+3.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Lauric Acid And Other Acids, Their Salts And Esters
In 2024, overseas shipments of lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters were finally on the rise to reach 32K tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of attained the maximum at 46K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, exports of lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters rose markedly to $92M in 2024. In general, exports, however, saw a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 37%. The exports peaked at $127M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
Belgium (16K tons) was the main destination for exports of lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters from the UK, with a 54% share of total exports. Moreover, exports of lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters to Belgium exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (5.7K tons), threefold. Mexico (3.1K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 10% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume to Belgium amounted to -1.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+1.8% per year) and Mexico (+0.9% per year).
In value terms, Belgium ($44M) remains the key foreign market for lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters exports from the UK, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($12M), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 9% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value to Belgium was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+1.2% per year) and Mexico (-0.1% per year).
Export Prices By Country
The average export price for lauric acid and other acids, their salts and esters stood at $2,752 per ton in 2023, with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $2,875 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, the export prices remained at a lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($9,417 per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($2,099 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+12.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.