Monosodium Glutamate Market

Monosodium Glutamate Market Overview

The global monosodium glutamate market size was valued at USD 6.33 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 6.63 billion in 2025 to USD 9.49 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.26% during the forecast period. 

The market is witnessing growth driven by the rising demand for packaged and processed foods across urban populations. Growing preference for convenient meal options has led to greater use of MSG to enhance flavor in instant noodles, soups, snacks, and frozen meals.

Key Market Highlights:

1. The monosodium glutamate industry size was valued at USD 6.33 billion in 2024.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.26% from 2025 to 2032.
3. Asia Pacific held a market share of 40.12% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 2.54 billion.
4. The powder segment garnered USD 4.08 billion in revenue in 2024.
5. The food processing segment is expected to reach USD 6.76 billion by 2032.
6. The business to business segment is expected to reach USD 5.88 billion by 2032.
7. The market in North America is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.95% during the forecast period.

Major companies operating in the monosodium glutamate industry are Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Arshine Pharmaceutical Co., Fufeng Group, Great American Spice Company, Meihua Holdings Group Co., Ltd., Ningxia Eppen Biotechnology Co., Ltd., COFCO, Foodchem International Corporation, Pearl River Bridge, Tag Ingredients India Pvt Ltd, McCormick & Company, Inc, Shandong Qilu Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd., VEDAN, The TNN Development Limited, and Mitsubishi Corporation.

The expansion of food service sectors, including quick-service restaurants and catering, is also contributing to higher consumption. As these sectors prioritize consistency, taste, and cost-effectiveness, MSG becomes a preferred ingredient to enhance umami flavor in a variety of dishes such as soups, sauces, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals. 

The growth of global food chains and increased consumption of processed foods in commercial settings further supports the rising usage of MSG, thereby fueling market growth.

• In March 2025, The Wendy’s Company announced its plan to add 1,000 net new restaurants globally by 2028 during its Investor Day event. The company outlined a long-term growth strategy focused on menu innovation, enhanced customer experience through technology, and global unit expansion to meet the rising demand across international markets.

Market Driver

Processed Meat Consumption Drives MSG Demand

The monosodium glutamate market is driven by the rising consumption of processed and packaged meat products globally. MSG is used in meat processing to enhance flavor, maintain consistency, and support sodium reduction. 

Growing demand for items such as sausages, deli meats, and frozen meat-based meals is encouraging manufacturers to incorporate MSG to meet standardized taste expectations. Growth in the global meat industry, particularly across emerging markets, is driving increased demand for flavor enhancers like monosodium glutamate. 

MSG is widely used in processed and packaged meat products due to its ability to enhance savory taste profiles, improve overall flavor consistency, and maintain product appeal across large volumes. Its cost-effectiveness and ease of application in industrial meat processing make it a preferred additive, especially as producers scale operations to meet rising consumption. 

• In November 2024, Meatable received investment from Betagro Ventures, the first by an Asian meat company. This highlights growing interest in enhancing flavor in alternative proteins, supporting the use of MSG in plant-based and cultivated meat products.

Market Challenge

Negative Consumer Perception Limits Market Penetration

A major challenge in the monosodium glutamate market is the persistent negative consumer perception surrounding its safety and health effects. Although regulatory authorities worldwide have deemed MSG safe for consumption, lingering consumer concerns over perceived adverse effects continue to affect its acceptance. 

This perception has limited its use in certain regions and product categories, particularly within clean-label and health-focused segments. To address this challenge, manufacturers are investing in public education initiatives and transparent labeling to clarify MSG’s safety. 

Additionally, companies are developing reformulated versions derived from natural fermentation processes to meet growing consumer demand for minimally processed and naturally sourced ingredients. These efforts aim to rebuild consumer trust and enable broader acceptance across the food industry.

Market Trend

Reformulation of MSG to Meet Clean Label Demand

A key trend in the monosodium glutamate market is the reformulation of products to support clean label demand. Manufacturers are using naturally derived sources and reducing sodium content to meet growing consumer demand for transparency and minimally processed ingredients. 

This is particularly evident in the processed and packaged food segment, where scrutiny of additives is increasing. Companies are adapting product compositions and labeling practices to reflect these preferences, while ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.

Monosodium Glutamate Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Form	Powder (Fine Powder, Coarse Powder), Granules (Standard Granules, Micro Granules), Others (Liquid MSG, Encapsulated MSG)
By Application	Food Processing (Snacks & Savory Products, Instant Noodles, Canned Foods, Frozen Meals, Seasoning Mixes), Foodservice (Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs), Fine Dining, Cafeterias), Animal Feed (Aquaculture Feed, Poultry Feed, Livestock Feed), Pharmaceuticals (Tablet Binders, Taste Masking Agents)
By Sales Channel	Business to Business, Business to Consumer, Online
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By Form (Powder, Granules, Others): The powder segment earned USD 4.08 billion in 2024 due to its high solubility, ease of use, and widespread adoption in packaged and instant food products.
• By Application (Food Processing, Foodservice (HoReCa), Animal Feed, and Pharmaceuticals): The food processing segment held 72.10% of the market in 2024, due to the extensive use of MSG in enhancing flavor across snacks, sauces, canned foods, and ready meals.
• By Sales Channel (Business to Business, Business to Consumer, Online): The business to business segment is projected to reach USD 5.88 billion by 2032, owing to consistent demand from food manufacturers, catering services, and institutional buyers.

Monosodium Glutamate Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

Asia Pacific monosodium glutamate market share stood at around 40.12% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 2.54 billion. The region leads the market due to high consumption across China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, where MSG is widely used in both home cooking and industrial food production. China, as the largest producer and exporter of MSG, dominates the supply landscape through domestic production and overseas expansion.

• In April 2025, China’s Fufeng Group began constructing a USD 800 million agro-industrial park in Kazakhstan, with a planned annual processing capacity of 1 million tonnes of corn and production of monosodium glutamate for export to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

The move aligns with China’s efforts to increase MSG production overseas, ensure raw material access, and reinforce its role in the global supply chain. Additionally, the growing fast food industry and strong demand from processed food manufacturers across Southeast Asia continue to support stable MSG consumption in the region.

The monosodium glutamate industry in North America is expected to register the fastest growth in the market, with a projected CAGR of 4.95% over the forecast period. The rise in demand is strongly linked to the growing popularity of Asian and Latin American cuisines across the United States and Canada, especially among younger consumers.

• In March 2025, Unilever Food Solutions reported increased demand for South American and Asian cuisines in U.S. professional kitchens, noting a preference for bold, umami-rich flavors that often rely on MSG.

This trend is evident in the increasing use of MSG-based seasonings across foodservice channels, especially by quick-service restaurants and meal kit providers.

In North America, a well-developed food processing sector and rising investments in automation are improving MSG availability through business-to-business distribution platforms such as food ingredient wholesalers, contract manufacturers, and institutional suppliers.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the regulatory authority that oversees the safety of food additives, including monosodium glutamate (MSG).
• In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the regulatory body responsible for assessing the safety of food additives like monosodium glutamate. EFSA has established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for MSG of 30 mg/kg of body weight per day.  
• In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates the use of monosodium glutamate in food products.

Competitive Landscape

The monosodium glutamate industry is characterized by strategies focused on innovation, regional expansion, and product differentiation. Leading manufacturers are prioritizing R&D initiatives to develop healthier versions of MSG, focusing on cleaner formulations and reduced sodium content to align with changing dietary preferences. 

Moreover, key players are increasingly focusing on operational efficiency to streamline manufacturing processes through fermentation optimization and cost-effective resource management. Geographic expansion is pursued through the setup of production hubs closer to key consumption regions, enabling faster distribution and improved supply chain control. 

Key Companies in Monosodium Glutamate Market:

• Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
• Arshine Pharmaceutical Co.
• Fufeng Group
• Great American Spice Company
• Meihua Holdings Group Co., Ltd.
• Ningxia Eppen Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
• COFCO
• Foodchem International Corporation
• Pearl River Bridge
• Tag Ingredients India Pvt Ltd
• McCormick & Company, Inc
• Shandong Qilu Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd.
• VEDAN
• The TNN Development Limited
• Mitsubishi Corporation