C5-C12 Medium Chain Fatty Acids Market: valued at USD 4,237 million globally

What are C5-C12 Medium-Chain Fatty Acids?

C5-C12 Medium-Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs) are a group of fatty acids that contain between 5 and 12 carbon atoms. These fatty acids are widely used in a variety of industries including food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics due to their rapid metabolism and antimicrobial properties. Common medium-chain fatty acids include caproic acid (C6), caprylic acid (C8), capric acid (C10) and lauric acid (C12).

C5-C12 medium chain fatty acids industry chain

Raw material supply: The main sources of medium chain fatty acids are coconut oil and palm kernel oil. 2023 data shows that Indonesia and Malaysia account for more than 75% of global coconut oil production, influencing the global supply stability and price of medium chain fatty acids (Source: Global C5-C12 Medium Chain Fatty Acids Market Research Report 2024).

Production Process:The technology for isolation and purification of high purity medium chain fatty acids is led by companies such as IOI Corporation Berhad and Cargill, Inc. Distillation and separation techniques are used in the production process to ensure high purity and quality of the product.

Application Areas:

Food Industry : MCT oils market is growing at a rate of 8.5% by 2024, mainly due to its application in low-carbohydrate diets and health foods.

Pharmaceuticals: The use of medium chain fatty acids in specific medical diets, such as for the management of intestinal disorders, has been recognized by the FDA.

Cosmetics: the proportion of medium-chain fatty acids used in skin care products increased by 6% in 2024, particularly in antibacterial and moisturizing ingredients.

Distribution and sales: sales of MCT oils on the Amazon platform grew by 12% in 2023, reflecting the rapid growth of e-commerce.

Global C5-C12 medium chain fatty acids industry

The global market for C5-C12 medium chain fatty acids was valued at USD 4,237 million in 2023 and is expected to reach a revised size of USD 5,900 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period.

The Chinese market is growing at 9.2% in 2023, mainly due to increasing demand for functional foods and rising domestic production capacity (Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China).

Medium Chain Fatty Acids prices experience 10% volatility in 2024, mainly due to changes in raw material costs and market competition. Supply chain risks in Asia mainly arise from climate change and policy adjustments, which led to supply shortages in 2023.

Industry Expert View:

“The application of medium chain fatty acids in metabolic health will continue to grow, especially in customized medical diets. Technological innovation will be the key to future competition.” --Food Scientist, Peking University


At an industry conference, nutrition experts said, “MCFA have great potential for application in the field of formulated foods for special medical purposes. For example, for patients with digestive and absorption dysfunction, MCFA can provide rapid energy supply and improve nutritional status.”  This is consistent with the results of a study published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, which showed that supplementation with MCFA improved nutrient absorption in patients with short bowel syndrome.

Article References : C5-C12 Medium Chain Fatty Acid Market, Global Outlook and Forecast 2024-2030