Oleic Acid Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Sales Channel (Direct, Indirect), By End Use (Soap & Detergents, Food, Personal Care & Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, Others), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

Global Oleic Acid Market was valued at USD 1641.69 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2718.22 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.81%. Oleic acid is valued for its functional properties, including its emollient and moisturizing effects, making it a key ingredient in skincare and haircare products. The expanding middle-class population and increasing focus on personal grooming continue to boost demand in the personal care segment. In the food industry, oleic acid is appreciated for being a stable, monounsaturated fatty acid, commonly used in functional foods, flavor enhancers, and as an emulsifier in products such as dressings, spreads, and baked goods.

Additionally, it serves as a penetration enhancer in pharmaceutical formulations and is utilized as a raw material in manufacturing soaps, detergents, lubricants, and other industrial chemicals, broadening its market reach. Despite these positive trends, the oleic acid market faces challenges such as competition from alternative fatty acids, fluctuations in raw material prices, and stringent regulatory requirements across its various applications.

Key Market Drivers

Growing Demand of Oleic Acid in Food Industry

The Food Market revenue is projected to reach USD 834.94 billion in 2025. China is expected to generate the highest share of this revenue, with a projected market volume of USD 349.20 billion in the same year. The rising demand for oleic acid within the food industry stands out as a significant driver propelling the global oleic acid market. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, is highly valued for its functional and health benefits, making it a preferred ingredient in various food applications including cooking oils, margarine, salad dressings, and baked goods.

Oleic Acid 75% Food Grade is a versatile, high-quality compound widely utilized across food production, cosmetics, and diverse industrial sectors. Boasting a purity of 75%, it complies with rigorous food-grade standards, making it ideal for culinary applications including flavor enhancement and food preservation. Health-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking foods with better nutritional profiles, especially those rich in monounsaturated fats that support heart health and reduce bad cholesterol. This consumer trend has accelerated the incorporation of oleic acid-rich oils, such as high-oleic sunflower and olive oils, into food formulations.

Growing Demand of Oleic Acid in Pharmaceutical Industry

Over the past two decades, the global pharmaceutical industry has witnessed substantial growth, reaching approximately USD 1.6 trillion in revenues in 2023. This impressive expansion has positioned the industry’s market size on par with the gross domestic products (GDPs) of countries such as Spain, Mexico, and Australia. The growing demand for oleic acid in the pharmaceutical industry is a significant driver of the global oleic acid market. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, is increasingly utilized in pharmaceutical formulations due to its versatile properties and natural origin.

In pharmaceutical applications, oleic acid serves as an emulsifier, solvent, and carrier, enhancing the bioavailability and stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Its role in liposomal formulations, which improve drug delivery and efficacy, is particularly notable. As the pharmaceutical industry continues to innovate and develop more effective drug delivery systems, the demand for oleic acid is expected to rise.

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Key Market Challenges

Fluctuating Raw Material Prices

Fluctuating raw material prices present a significant challenge to the global oleic acid market, impacting production costs and overall market stability. Oleic acid is primarily derived from natural sources such as vegetable oils, including olive oil, palm oil, and sunflower oil. Consequently, any volatility in the prices of these key raw materials directly affects the cost structure for oleic acid manufacturers.

This price instability is often influenced by factors such as adverse weather conditions, changing agricultural yields, geopolitical tensions, and shifts in global demand for edible oils. Additionally, supply chain disruptions and trade policy changes can exacerbate price fluctuations, making it difficult for producers to maintain consistent input costs.

Key Market Trends

Growing Demand of Oleic Acid in Textile Industry

The textiles market is projected to generate a value-added contribution of USD 295.87 billion in 2025. Additionally, the average output per enterprise within the textiles sector is expected to reach USD 3.94 million in the same year. A notable trend in the global oleic acid market is the increasing demand from the textile industry. Oleic acid is widely utilized in textile processing as a key raw material in the production of softening agents, lubricants, and emulsifiers that enhance fabric feel, improve dye uptake, and facilitate efficient manufacturing processes.

The textile sector’s shift toward sustainable and eco-friendly production methods has amplified the preference for oleic acid, given its biodegradable nature and compatibility with green chemistry principles. Manufacturers are increasingly adopting oleic acid-based formulations to replace synthetic chemicals, aligning with regulatory mandates and consumer demand for environmentally responsible products.

Segmental Insights

Sales Channel Insights

Based on Sales Channel, Direct have emerged as the fastest growing segment in the Global Oleic Acid Market in 2024. This is due to several strategic advantages that appeal to both suppliers and buyers. Primarily, direct procurement enables pharmaceutical companies, cosmetic manufacturers, and chemical processors to engage directly with oleic acid producers, ensuring greater control over product quality, consistency, and customization according to specific application requirements.

End Use Insights

Based on End Use, Soap & Detergents have emerged as the fastest growing segment in the Global Oleic Acid Market during the forecast period. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, serves as an effective emulsifier and surfactant, improving the foaming and solubilization properties of soaps and detergents. Its ability to emulsify oils and grease enhances the cleaning efficiency of these products, making them more effective in removing dirt and stains. With a growing consumer shift towards natural and eco-friendly products, oleic acid's plant-derived origin aligns with these preferences. Its biodegradability and non-toxic nature make it an attractive alternative to synthetic surfactants, driving its adoption in personal care and household cleaning products.

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Regional Insights

Based on Region, North America have emerged as the dominating region in the Global Oleic Acid Market in 2024. This is due to a combination of factors including a well-established food and personal care industry, increasing consumer demand for natural and clean-label ingredients, and strong research and development capabilities. The region's advanced manufacturing infrastructure supports high-quality production of oleic acid derived from sustainable plant sources, such as sunflower and canola oils. Additionally, stringent regulatory standards in the United States and Canada ensure product safety and quality, which enhances consumer confidence and market growth.

Recent Development

• In April 2024, Checkerspot, a biotechnology firm focused on sustainable oil production, announced a breakthrough in developing a non-GMO high-oleic acid algae oil ingredient. With monounsaturated fatty acids exceeding 85% of total fatty acids, this oil offers exceptional versatility and functionality, making it suitable for a broad range of applications. In the food sector, its content of monounsaturated omega-9 fats commonly regarded as “good” fats surpasses that of most olive and avocado oils, which typically contain around 70%. Additionally, the high oleic acid concentration enhances the oil’s stability and extends its shelf life, all while maintaining a neutral taste.
• In September 2024, Volac Wilmar Feed Ingredients launched Mega-Fat 70, a new rumen-protected fat product aimed at improving both farm efficiency and feed mill performance. This calcium salt formulation comprises 70% palmitic acid (C16:0) and 20% oleic acid (C18:1), providing a well-balanced solution for dairy farmers seeking to enhance milk yield and animal health. Moreover, Mega-Fat 70 delivers notable advantages to feed mills, particularly in optimizing pellet production processes.
• In June 2025, a research study by the University of Oklahoma revealed that oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat linked to obesity, promotes the formation of new fat cells. The study found that elevated levels of oleic acid enhance the activity of the signaling protein AKT2 while suppressing the regulatory protein LXR, leading to accelerated growth of precursor cells that develop into fat cells. Additionally, the research team administered specialized diets to mice, each enriched with specific fatty acids from sources such as coconut oil, peanut oil, milk, lard, and soybean oil. Among these, oleic acid uniquely stimulated a significantly higher proliferation of fat cell precursor cells compared to the other fatty acids tested.
• In March 2025, Laminar Pharma, a pioneer in innovative cancer treatments based on membrane lipid therapy, announced promising results from its ongoing clinical trial of LAM561 for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (ndGBM), the most aggressive form of brain cancer, which has seen minimal clinical progress over the past two decades. LAM561 (2-hydroxyoleic acid [2-OHOA]; idroxioleic acid, sodium) is a synthetic oleic acid derivative and Laminar’s most advanced oral R\&D candidate. The drug works by modifying the plasma membrane composition of cancer cells, thereby reducing the activity of membrane-associated signaling proteins that drive tumor growth, specifically targeting brain tumors.

Key Market Players

• Linyi Daming Bioenergy Co., Ltd.
• Zanyu Technology Group Co., Ltd.
• Hubei Weidun Biotech Co.,Ltd
• Tianmen Chengxin Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Xinjiang Jinma Renewable Resources Development Co., Ltd.
• Jiangsu Jinma Oil Technology Co Ltd
• Jiangsu Yonglin Chemical Oil Co., Ltd.
• Evyap
• Golden Agri-Resources Ltd.
• Dalian Daping Oil Chemicals Co., Ltd. 

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Oleic Acid Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Oleic Acid Market, By Sales Channel:

o   Direct

o   Indirect

• Oleic Acid Market, By End Use:

o   Soap & Detergents

o   Food

o   Personal Care & Cosmetics

o   Pharmaceuticals

o   Others

• Oleic Acid Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Oleic Acid Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Oleic Acid Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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