A process for producing a lactic ester having a low rate of amide generation and high optical activity. The process for producing a lactic ester, i.e., a product of the esterification of an alcohol and lactic acid and/or a lactic acid salt, comprises a step in which a liquid reaction mixture comprising an alcohol and lactic acid and/or a lactic acid salt is esterified until the degree of esterification reaches 60 to 90%, a step in which the lactic ester and the alcohol which are contained in the resultant liquid reaction mixture are distilled off, and a step in which an alcohol is added to the resultant distillation residue to conduct esterification again. By the process, a lactic ester having high optical activity can be produced in high yield in a short time. |