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World consumption of MSG was almost 2 million metric
tons in 2006, valued at $2.3 billion. The primary use of MSG globally is
as a flavor enhancer in food; MSG functions as a basic flavor, referred to
as umami in Japan. Virtually all MSG is consumed in the production
of foods; a negligible amount is used in animal feeds. World production and
consumption of MSG has increased significantly during the past five years
as a result of the rapid increase in Chinese production and consumption.
Currently, China is the world’s largest MSG producing and consuming
country. Chinese production and consumption accounted for about 57% and 52%
of world production and consumption in 2006, respectively. In recent years,
Chinese exports of MSG have also been expanding rapidly. In 2006, China became
the world’s largest MSG exporting country, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.
MSG capacity is concentrated in Asia, where feedstocks and labor are abundant
and inexpensive and where demand is highest. Global capacity utilization decreased
to 69% in 2006 from 88% in 1999 because of rapidly increased capacity, primarily
in China.
The following pie chart shows world capacity for MSG:
Major Chinese MSG producers are Henan Lotus Gourmet Powder Co., Ltd.; Hebei
Meihua Monosodium Glutamate Group Co., Ltd.; Shandong Qilu Monosodium Glutamate
Group Co., Ltd.; and Shandong Linghua Group Co., Ltd. The other leading MSG
producers are Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Japan); Vedan Enterprise Corp. (Taiwan);
CJ Corporation (Republic of Korea); Daesang Corporation (Republic of Korea);
and Ve Wong Corporation (Taiwan). Ajinomoto, the world’s largest MSG
producer, operates wholly and partly owned plants in Japan, Brazil, Peru, the
United States, France, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand
and Vietnam and accounts for approximately one-fourth of the world capacity
for MSG.
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