Folic Acid Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals, Others), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific), And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Folic Acid Market Size & Trends

The global folic acid market was valued at USD 1.04 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2025 to 2030. Unhealthy lifestyles and inadequate dietary intake are recognized as significant contributors to a spectrum of health problems, encompassing anemia, digestive disorders, and cognitive impairments, among others. This confluence of factors has stimulated a consistent and escalating demand for food products fortified with folic acid. Furthermore, the imperative medical recommendations for pregnant women to incorporate folic acid supplements into their regimen serve as a substantial catalyst for the promising folic acid industry. The utilization of folic acid nutraceuticals for animal and pet populations to safeguard their well-being constitutes another pivotal driver within the broader folic acid market.

Anemia constitutes a prevalent global health concern. A study conducted by the University of Washington in 2021 revealed that approximately one-quarter of the world's population was anemic. This health condition exhibited a higher incidence among young girls, pregnant women, and children under the age of five. Iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid deficiency have been identified as primary etiological factors for anemia.

Inadequate dietary intake and suboptimal lifestyle choices contribute significantly to folic acid deficiency among individuals. This has spurred a substantial increase in demand for food products and beverages fortified with folic acid. The consumption of recommended folic acid levels by pregnant women has demonstrated efficacy in mitigating the risk of neural tube defects in newborns. Recognizing the critical importance of folic acid intake, numerous governments worldwide have implemented mandatory folic acid food fortification programs. Sixty-nine countries, including Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, the U.S., and several South American nations, have enacted such programs to counteract folate deficiency.

Mandatory fortification programs have stimulated a surge in demand for nutraceutical folic acid supplements. Concurrently, a consistent increase in demand for folic acid-fortified food products has been observed over the past two decades. This collective trend has served as a significant catalyst for the growth of the overall folic acid industry.

A heightened consumer awareness of health and wellness constitutes a key driving force within the nutraceutical and dietary supplement market. Modern consumers meticulously examine product labels, prioritizing informed decisions regarding their consumables' ingredients and nutritional content. The burgeoning trend of label reading and the cultivation of balanced dietary habits are collectively driving demand for food products enriched with essential nutrients, including folic acid. Data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that approximately 80% of American adults scrutinize nutrition labels prior to making a purchase decision.

Food manufacturers have proactively incorporated folic acid into their product formulations in response to this consumer behavior. Commercial infant foods, breakfast cereals, bread, and pasta are among the product categories enriched with added folic acid to enhance their nutritional profile. This strategic approach is anticipated to further incentivize the demand for folic acid among food manufacturers, thereby providing sustained support for the growth of the folic acid industry.

Application Insights

The food & beverages segment dominated the global folic acid market based on application, with a revenue share of 38.8% in 2024. Food and beverages represent the most readily accessible and convenient avenues for folic acid consumption. Natural food sources, such as beef liver and eggs within non-vegetarian diets, and legumes, asparagus, leafy green vegetables, and citrus fruits within vegetarian diets, constitute excellent sources of folic acid. Food manufacturers are actively fortifying their products with supplemental folic acid, thereby assisting consumers in achieving their daily recommended intake. For instance, Performance Drink Group, Inc. recently introduced a novel energy supplement beverage enriched with diverse nutrients, including the recommended daily allowance of folic acid.

Furthermore, governments worldwide are implementing mandates that require food companies to enhance their product offerings with folic acid. For instance, the New Zealand government enacted legislation mandating the fortification of all non-organic wheat flour bread with vitamin B, specifically folic acid.

The pharmaceuticals segment is also expected to experience the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2030. Pharmaceutical formulations incorporating folic acid as the active ingredient are widely utilized in the treatment of patients exhibiting folate-deficient anemia. Moreover, healthcare professionals routinely recommend folic acid supplementation in tablet form for expectant mothers to mitigate the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in their offspring. These factors have collectively driven a significant increase in demand for folic acid within the pharmaceutical sector, fostering consistent market growth.

Distribution Channel Insights

The offline segment held the largest revenue share of the folic acid market in 2024. A substantial proportion of end-users who incorporate folic acid into their product formulations exhibit a preference for offline procurement channels. Offline channels are highly regarded for their reliability in terms of product quality, timely delivery, and the availability of folic acid in the desired form. Food manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and health supplement manufacturers typically order folic acid in bulk quantities through offline channels. This procurement strategy enables them to secure favorable pricing. Such factors contribute significantly to the dominance of the offline segment within the folic acid market.

The online segment is expected to experience the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. End-users requiring smaller quantities of folic acid frequently favor online procurement channels, which offer competitive pricing and convenient delivery services. In response to government mandates pertaining to the inclusion of folic acid in food products, small-scale and local food manufacturers have increasingly adopted online ordering practices for folic acid, contributing to a rapid growth trajectory within the online distribution segment.

Regional Insights

The North America folic acid industry dominated the global market, with a revenue share of 32.8% in 2024. The region exhibits a high prevalence of folate-deficiency anemia, which has stimulated demand for fortified food products containing folic acid. Furthermore, several countries within the region have implemented mandatory fortification programs for certain food products. These factors have collectively driven a surge in demand for folic acid, consequently propelling the growth of the folic acid industry in the region

U.S. Folic Acid Market Trends

The U.S. dominated the North American folic acid market in 2024. The country has a substantial population afflicted by anemia. According to a report published by the CDC, the prevalence of anemia among individuals aged 2 years and older was 9.3% as of August 2023. Approximately 3 million individuals within the country are anemic, with a significant proportion experiencing anemia due to inadequate folic acid intake. This has fueled demand for medications and supplements fortified with folic acid, thereby driving overall market growth. Additionally, U.S. consumers display a keen interest in products' ingredients and nutritional content. The increasing awareness regarding balanced diets and the pivotal role of folic acid has solidified the expectation of sustained high demand for folic acid in the years to come.

Asia Pacific Folic Acid Market Trends

The Asia Pacific folic acid market is anticipated to experience the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The regional folic acid market has demonstrated robust growth in recent years, surpassing the trajectory of many other global regions. Key drivers of this expansion include rising disposable incomes, a burgeoning awareness of health and wellness, and the prevalence of nutrient deficiencies stemming from suboptimal dietary patterns. Moreover, government-led initiatives and policies aimed at eradicating folic acid deficiencies, particularly among females and children, are providing further impetus to the growth of the regional folic acid industry.

China folic acid market held the largest revenue share of the regional industry in 2024. The rural population within the country exhibits a high prevalence of folic acid deficiency, which has been correlated with an elevated incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) among infants. The National Health Commission has implemented a nationwide initiative since 2009 to address this pressing health concern to increase folic acid intake among reproductive-aged women in rural areas. This program facilitates access to free folic acid pills for pregnant women through community health centers and village clinics. The implementation of such initiatives has contributed to the growth of the folic acid industry within the country.

Europe Folic Acid Market Trends

The European folic acid market is expected to experience significant CAGR during the forecast period. Similar to other regions, European governments have undertaken numerous campaigns to promote folic acid intake among pregnant women. Additionally, some countries have implemented mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid. According to an article published by the European Commission, the fortification of grains with folic acid has the potential to prevent severe congenital anomalies in approximately 1,000 pregnancies annually. This has stimulated demand for folic acid-fortified food products and supplements, thereby contributing to market growth within the region.

Key Folic Acid Company Insights

Some of the key companies operating in the global folic acid market are BASF SE, Zydus Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Medicamen Biotech Ltd., Jiangxi Tianxin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., DSM N.V., and Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The industry is highly concentrated and dominated by a few key players. .

• Zydus Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is an India-based multinational pharmaceutical company founded in 1952. The company develops and manufactures a wide variety of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, herbal, skin care, and OTC products. It is a well-known brand for its folic acid supplement, Folly Tab.

• Jiangxi Tianxin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. is a China-based pharmaceutical company founded in 2004. The company specializes in the production of vitamins, including vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, ascorbyl palmitate, and folic acid.

Recent Developments

• In June 2024, Balchem Corporation, a U.S.-based human nutrition and specialty products company, launched a new choline-enriched folate in the U.S. dietary supplements market. The new supplement helps in empowering cellular health during pregnancy and child development.

• In October 2021, Danone India, a leading food company, launched AptaGrow's line of products tailored to meet the requirements of Indian children. The product launched under AptaGrow contains essential nutrients, including prebiotics and vitamins A, C, D, DHA, Iron, Folic Acid, and Iodine.

Folic Acid Market Report Scope

Global Folic Acid Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, grand view research has segmented the global folic acid market report based on application, distribution channel, and region.

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Food & Beverages

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Nutraceuticals

  • Others

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Offline

  • Online

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Australia & New Zealand

    • South Korea

  • Central & South America

    • Argentina

  • MEA

    • South Africa