Report

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Market Analysis

The MSG market was valued at USD 6.39 billion in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD 6.68 billion in 2026 to reach USD 8.31 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 4.49% during the forecast period (2026-2031). Growing regulatory pressure to trim sodium across packaged foods, the rebound of full-service and quick-service restaurants, and continuous investments in fermentation technology keep the MSG market on a solid expansion path. Manufacturers are leveraging MSG's dual role as a flavor enhancer and partial sodium substitute to satisfy clean-label mandates while preserving palatability, which is now critical as front-of-package labeling rules tighten in North America and Europe. Asia Pacific retains manufacturing scale advantages, yet rising Western adoption-especially through foodservice chains-signals a geographic re-balancing of demand. Encapsulation technologies, AI-guided bioreactors, and verified carbon-reduction pathways are shifting competitive focus away from pure volume and toward margin-rich, application-specific MSG systems. Industry consolidation is intensifying as leading producers bankroll regional plants to sidestep anti-dumping duties and shorten logistics routes, safeguarding supply in the face of trade frictions

Global Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Market Trends and Insights



Rising Application of MSG in Various Food Products

Manufacturers are strategically incorporating MSG to address consumer demands for enhanced flavors while maintaining nutritional priorities. Food processors are utilizing MSG to not only enhance flavors but also reduce sodium content by up to 30% in reformulated products, providing a competitive advantage in health-conscious markets. Recent research underscores MSG's ability to improve the palatability of vegetables, enabling manufacturers to increase vegetable content in their products without compromising consumer satisfaction. MSG's application has expanded beyond its traditional use in Asian cuisine to mainstream Western food categories, such as ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and plant-based protein alternatives. The FDA's classification of MSG as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) offers regulatory assurance, allowing manufacturers to incorporate MSG into new product formulations without requiring extensive safety documentation. Emerging uses in functional foods and nutraceuticals indicate that MSG's role is evolving beyond flavor enhancement to nutritional optimization, particularly in products designed for older consumers with diminished taste sensitivity.

Rising Substitution of Salt with MSG in Sodium-Reduction Reformulations

Sodium reduction mandates in developed markets are driving demand for MSG as a direct salt replacement. Regulatory bodies increasingly recognize umami enhancement, such as MSG, as a viable public health strategy. The World Health Organization's sodium reduction targets, along with front-of-package labeling requirements, are prompting food manufacturers to reformulate products. By incorporating MSG-based solutions, manufacturers can maintain product palatability while meeting regulatory standards. A 2024 clinical study highlights that Vietnamese populations using MSG-rich seasonings have significantly lower sodium intake and reduced systolic blood pressure compared to those relying on traditional salt-based seasonings. This evidence strengthens MSG's acceptance as a functional ingredient rather than merely a flavor enhancer, creating opportunities for health claim substantiation in key markets. From an economic perspective, MSG adoption is advantageous, enabling manufacturers to meet sodium reduction goals without costly ingredient substitutions or complex reformulations. Additionally, advanced enzyme production technologies now allow food processors to produce glutamic acid on-site, offering clean-label alternatives that align with consumer preferences while delivering the same umami enhancement.

Health Concerns and Negative Perceptions

Although extensive scientific validation exists, consumer misconceptions about MSG safety persist, limiting its market penetration in Western regions where clean-label preferences strongly influence purchasing decisions. Industry associations are leading consumer education initiatives but face significant challenges in combating misinformation spread through social media and celebrity-endorsed anti-MSG campaigns, many of which lack scientific credibility. Premium food segments show notable resistance to MSG, as consumers often associate it with lower-quality processed foods, disregarding its ability to enhance nutritional profiles by reducing sodium content. This issue is further complicated in the organic and natural food sectors, where regulatory definitions may exclude MSG, even though it is produced through natural fermentation processes similar to other accepted ingredients. To address these challenges, food manufacturers are increasingly adopting alternative labeling strategies, such as "yeast extract" or "natural flavors," to provide umami enhancement without provoking negative consumer reactions. However, these strategies often lead to higher formulation costs and added complexity.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

Shift toward Low-Sodium Food FormulationsCost Effectiveness in Flavor EnhancementStringent Regulatory Policies

For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.

Segment Analysis

Powder/crystalline products retained 51.67% MSG market share in 2025 on the back of long-established production lines and simple dry-mix compatibility in instant noodles, bouillon cubes, and snack seasonings. Seasoning plants that invested decades ago in powder conveyance systems face latent switching costs, buttressing powder's lead. Granules serve niche retail packs where visual cues and controlled dissolution matter, while emerging liquid formulations appeal to centralized kitchens moving toward pump-fed automation.

Micro-encapsulated formats are sprinting ahead with a 5.12% CAGR due to mandated dust-exposure limits in industrial bakeries and meat plants. Encapsulation also unlocks staged release that preserves umami during high-heat or high-salt processing, a crucial feature for retorted soups and canned meat. Although encapsulated MSG carries a pricing premium, processors offset that increment by cutting flavor wastage and improving product stability across supply chains.

The Monosodium Glutamate Market Report is Segmented by Product Form (Powder/Crystalline, Granules, Micro-Encapsulated, Liquid MSG Solutions), Application (Food Processing, Food-service/QSR & Catering, Household/Retail, Animal Feed & Pet Food, Pharmaceuticals), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Geography Analysis

Asia Pacific's commanding 61.55% share reflects economies of scale in fermentation plants, abundant corn feedstocks, and deep-rooted culinary reliance on umami seasonings. China remains the production nucleus despite price-suppressing oversupply cycles; still, investment outflows into Kazakhstan and Vietnam mark a diversification push designed to cushion against trade friction. Japan channels R&D toward low-carbon MSG lines verified by lifecycle audits, enabling premiums in eco-sensitive EU retail programs. Southeast Asia sees demand acceleration as rising income boosts instant-noodle and snack consumption, keeping regional capacity tight.

North America's conversion from skepticism to adoption is underway. Supermarket chains increasingly accept MSG-formulated ready meals after reformulators prove sodium cuts of 20-30% without sensory loss. Anti-dumping circumvention findings against Malaysian trans-shipments prompted Ajinomoto to boost domestic output, signaling confidence in local demand staying strong. Meanwhile, foodservice adoption surges as pan-Asian chains expand their footprint, creating a feedback loop of menu familiarity that chips away at consumer wariness.

Europe's MSG narrative revolves around compliance rigor and consumer scrutiny. The European Commission's 2024 probe into Malaysian imports underscores a vigilant trade posture, yet it simultaneously provides breathing room for EU-based contract formulators free from dumping duties. Premium organic/artisanal brands sometimes eschew MSG, but mid-tier processors adopt encapsulated forms that pass stricter workplace dust thresholds. South American processors capitalize on competitive corn costs, although inflationary headwinds and exchange-rate swings complicate capex decisions. Middle East and Africa markets are nascent yet enticing; rapid urban retail expansion is unlocking new shelf space for MSG-enriched convenience foods, especially in Gulf Cooperation Council states keen on international cuisine.

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

Ajinomoto Co. Inc. Fufeng Group Meihua Holdings Group Co. Ltd. Ningxia Eppen Biotech Co. Ltd. Cargill Inc. COFCO (China Agri) Daesang Corporation Vedan International Gremount International Co. Ltd. Shandong Qilu Biotechnology Group Co. Henan Lotus Flower Gourmet Powder Co. Shandong Xinle MSG Co. CJ CheilJedang Corp. PT Cheil Jedang Indonesia Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Huei Chang Fine Chemicals Sanhe Hopefull Grain & Oil Tate & Lyle PLC (SAVORIA� range) BASF SE (Glutamic-acid derivatives) Archer Daniels Midland Co. (Wild Flavors) NutraScience Labs

Additional Benefits:

The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
3 months of analyst support