Lecithin market seen topping $2 billion by 2030

By AI, Created 5:13 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – The global lecithin market is projected to exceed $2 billion by 2030, led by Asia-Pacific and China, according to The Business Research Company. Growth is tied to rising demand for natural emulsifiers, broader use in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, and expanding applications in animal feed.

Why it matters: - Lecithin is moving deeper into food, health and feed supply chains as manufacturers look for natural emulsifiers and cleaner labels. - The market’s growth also signals rising demand for plant-based ingredients across processed foods, supplements and animal nutrition.

What happened: - The Business Research Company projected the global lecithin market will surpass $2 billion by 2030. - The parent lecithin and phospholipids market is expected to reach about $3 billion by 2030, putting lecithin at roughly 67% of that total. - The lecithin market is forecast to make up nearly 0.02% of the broader food and beverages industry, which is expected to reach $9,313 billion by 2030. - The report said the lecithin market is expected to grow at a 9% CAGR through 2030. - Request a free sample of the report. - Access the full lecithin market report.

The details: - Asia-Pacific is expected to be the largest region in 2030, with a market value of $1.01 billion. - Asia-Pacific market value is projected to rise from $0.64 billion in 2025 at a 10% CAGR. - China is expected to be the largest country market in 2030 at $0.56 billion. - China’s market is projected to grow from $0.35 billion in 2025 at a 10% CAGR. - Liquid lecithin is expected to be the largest product type, reaching $1 billion and representing 53% of the market in 2030. - The market is segmented by type into liquid, granulated, deoiled and powdered lecithin. - The market is segmented by source into soybean, sunflower, rapeseed and egg yolk. - The market is segmented by function into emulsifiers, dispersing agents, surfactants and other uses. - The market is segmented by nature into genetically modified and non-genetically modified lecithin. - The market is segmented by end user into convenience food, bakery, confectionery, pharmaceutical, personal care and cosmetics, and animal feed. - Liquid lecithin is supported by demand in processed foods and beverages, bakery and confectionery, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, animal feed, and cosmetic and personal care products. - The report said the largest growth opportunities are in liquid, granulated, deoiled and powdered lecithin. - Those segments are projected to add more than $0.8 billion in value by 2030. - Liquid lecithin is projected to grow by $0.4 billion from 2025 to 2030. - Granulated lecithin is projected to grow by $0.2 billion over the same period. - Deoiled lecithin and powdered lecithin are each projected to grow by $0.1 billion.

Between the lines: - The forecast reflects a shift from synthetic additives to natural and plant-based ingredients in food manufacturing. - Growth in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals shows lecithin is no longer just a food ingredient. - Animal feed and aquaculture demand add another layer of volume-driven growth beyond consumer packaged goods. - The strongest regional outlook is concentrated in Asia-Pacific, where soybean processing capacity and convenience food demand are both expanding.

What’s next: - Food makers, supplement brands and feed producers are likely to keep using lecithin to improve texture, stability, digestion and formulation performance. - Demand growth will likely remain strongest in Asia-Pacific and China if clean-label and plant-based purchasing trends continue. - The report’s segment outlook suggests liquid lecithin will remain the commercial anchor of the market through 2030.

The bottom line: - Lecithin is becoming a cross-industry ingredient story, with the biggest upside coming from food, health and feed applications rather than any single end market.