Table of Contents
Overview
New York, NY – September 09, 2025 – The Global L-Citrulline Market is projected to reach USD 2.4 billion by 2034, rising from USD 1.4 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 5.4% from 2025 to 2034. North America led the market in 2024, accounting for a 43.70% share, valued at USD 0.6 billion, largely driven by a strong fitness culture and growing health awareness.
L-Citrulline, a naturally occurring amino acid, plays a vital role in the nitric oxide cycle. While it is not directly used for protein synthesis, it supports widening blood vessels, enhancing circulation, and aiding muscle recovery. Commonly found in foods like watermelon and produced in the body, it is widely consumed as a supplement to improve energy, exercise performance, and heart health.
The market covers global trade, production, and consumption across dietary supplements, functional foods, sports nutrition, and pharmaceuticals. Momentum is reflected in recent moves such as Nutrabay securing $5 million from RPSG Capital Ventures and HealthKart achieving a $500 million valuation.
A major growth driver is the surge in sports and fitness trends, with athletes adopting L-Citrulline for endurance and recovery. Institutional backing, such as UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport’s $4.9 million federal funding, further boosts growth, alongside rising adoption in heart health and blood pressure management.
➤ Click the sample report link for complete industry insights: https://market.us/report/global-l-citrulline-market/request-sample/
Key Takeaways
- The Global L-Citrulline Market is expected to be worth around USD 2.4 billion by 2034, up from USD 1.4 billion in 2024, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2025 to 2034.
- Capsules dominated the L-Citrulline market with 38.2%, driven by convenience and consumer preference.
- Sports nutrition and bodybuilding led the L-Citrulline market, capturing 45.8% in 2024.
- Supermarkets and hypermarkets accounted for a 31.4% share, making L-Citrulline widely accessible globally.
- The North America L-Citrulline Market reached a value of nearly USD 0.6 Bn.
➤ Directly purchase a copy of the report – https://market.us/purchase-report/?report_id=155973
Report Scope
| Report Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Market Value (2024) | USD 1.4 Billion |
| Forecast Revenue (2034) | USD 2.4 Billion |
| CAGR (2025-2034) | 5.4% |
| Segments Covered | By Form (Capsules, Tablets, Powders, Others), By End-Use (Sports Nutrition and Bodybuilding, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, Food and Beverage, Others), By Distribution Channel (Supermarket and Hypermarkets, Pharmacy and Drug Stores, Health Stores, Online, Others) |
| Competitive Landscape | NOW Foods, BulkSupplements, Primaforce, Pure Encapsulations, Jarrow Formulas, Glanbia plc, Nutricost, Doctor’s Best, Life Extension |
Key Market Segments
By Form Analysis
In 2024, capsules led the L-Citrulline market’s By Form segment, securing a 38.2% share. Their dominance comes from offering consumers convenience, precise dosage, and ease of use compared to powders or liquids. Capsules require no preparation, are portable, and fit seamlessly into daily routines, making them especially appealing to both fitness users and those focused on overall wellness.
Their popularity is further supported by the broader rise in dietary supplement adoption, as people increasingly prefer formats that integrate smoothly into structured health and fitness habits. Capsules also stand out for their shelf stability, reinforcing their acceptance across both mature and emerging markets.
Trust in standardized formulations has strengthened capsule use, as they provide greater transparency in labeling and dosage control. This reliability is critical for individuals seeking benefits such as improved performance, faster recovery, and cardiovascular support. With health awareness expanding worldwide, capsules have solidified their position as the most trusted and convenient form of L-Citrulline consumption.
By End-Use Analysis
In 2024, sports nutrition and bodybuilding dominated the L-Citrulline market by end-use, accounting for 45.8% of the market share. This leadership highlights the amino acid’s strong reputation for boosting blood flow, reducing fatigue, and enhancing endurance, making it a go-to supplement for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Its role in faster recovery and improved workout performance has firmly established it within sports nutrition routines.
The segment’s strength is closely tied to the global rise of fitness-focused lifestyles, where strength training, bodybuilding, and high-intensity workouts are increasingly common. L-Citrulline’s ability to support nitric oxide production and ease post-exercise muscle soreness makes it especially valuable for those pursuing peak performance. With the growth of gyms, fitness centers, and customized training programs, the demand for specialized sports supplements continues to accelerate.
Additionally, the preference for natural and safe performance enhancers over synthetic alternatives has further reinforced L-Citrulline’s popularity. Its consistent adoption as a reliable, long-term supplement ensures that sports nutrition and bodybuilding remain the largest and most influential end-use category in the L-Citrulline market.
By Distribution Channel Analysis
In 2024, supermarkets and hypermarkets led the L-Citrulline market by distribution channel, capturing a 31.4% share. Their dominance comes from offering consumers convenience, variety, and accessibility, as these large retail formats allow shoppers to compare products, review labels, and select from multiple brands in one place. This one-stop shopping experience has made them a preferred destination for dietary supplements.
Their strength also reflects evolving shopping habits, with wellness and nutrition products now part of routine grocery purchases. Consumers appreciate being able to pick up L-Citrulline alongside daily essentials, while promotions, discounts, and loyalty schemes add further appeal.
Trust is another driver behind this channel’s success. Established retail chains provide assurance of authenticity, quality storage, and regulatory compliance, which encourages repeat purchases. With health-focused lifestyles gaining traction globally, the visibility and reliability of supermarkets and hypermarkets have cemented their role as the leading outlet for L-Citrulline supplements in 2024.
Regional Analysis
The L-Citrulline market demonstrates clear regional variation, with North America at the forefront. In 2024, the region held 43.70% of the market, worth nearly USD 0.6 billion, establishing itself as the global leader. This strong position is supported by a mature fitness culture, high supplement usage, and strong demand for cardiovascular and sports nutrition products.
The U.S. remains the driving force, with growing gym memberships and active sports participation fueling steady use of performance supplements like L-Citrulline. Europe ranks next, benefiting from rising interest in preventive health and functional nutrition, while Asia Pacific is quickly gaining momentum as expanding middle-class populations embrace wellness-focused products.
Meanwhile, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa hold smaller shares but are gradually advancing as awareness of natural amino acid supplements spreads. Despite global growth, North America continues to set the pace, serving as the key center for both consumption and innovation in the L-Citrulline market.
Top Use Cases
- Boosting Exercise Performance: L-Citrulline helps your body make nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow. This means more oxygen and nutrients reach your muscles, which can reduce exhaustion and improve workout effectiveness. Some studies show improved muscle performance and faster recovery, though results vary.
- Speeding Muscle Recovery: By enhancing nitric oxide and circulation, L-Citrulline may help support muscle recovery after intense exercise. A specific form—citrulline malate—combines L-Citrulline with malate, potentially boosting energy production and aiding faster recovery due to improved ATP generation.
- Supporting Blood Pressure Regulation: L-Citrulline transforms into L-arginine, which raises nitric oxide levels and helps dilate blood vessels—this can lead to modest reductions in blood pressure. Some studies show meaningful decreases in older adults when used alongside nitrates. However, findings aren’t consistent across all groups or short-term uses.
- Aiding Erectile Function: Because it boosts nitric oxide and improves blood flow, L-Citrulline may help with mild erectile dysfunction. In one small trial, 1.5 grams per day for a month helped improve erection maintenance in men.
- Supporting Heart and Metabolic Health: Beyond blood flow, L-Citrulline’s influence on nitric oxide may benefit wider cardiovascular and metabolic functions—like inflammation control, insulin sensitivity, and artery health. Though promising, most evidence comes from preclinical or early-stage human studies.
Recent Developments
- In July 2024, NOW Foods introduced several new products, as featured in their “New NOW Products – Jan–June 2024” webinar hosted by Jim Golick. However, L-Citrulline was not mentioned among the launches during this period.
- In September 2023, Life Extension discusses L-Citrulline in the context of nitric oxide (NO) support, noting that L-Citrulline is a precursor to L-Arginine—which is then converted into NO to help widen blood vessels and improve blood flow.
Conclusion
The L-Citrulline market is positioned for steady growth, fueled by increasing fitness awareness, the popularity of dietary supplements, and rising demand for natural solutions in cardiovascular and sports health. Its versatility across segments—ranging from sports nutrition and bodybuilding to general wellness—has made it a trusted supplement worldwide.
With capsules emerging as a preferred form and supermarkets driving accessibility, consumer adoption continues to rise. Strong regional demand, particularly from North America, along with expanding awareness in Asia and Europe, reinforces its global reach. Overall, L-Citrulline has established itself as a vital component of modern health and performance lifestyles.
Discuss Your Needs With Our Analyst
Please share your requirements with more details so our analyst can check if they can solve your problem(s)
