Seaweed Extracts Market
The market for Seaweed Extracts was estimated at $1.4 billion in 2025; it is anticipated to increase to $2.1 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $3.2 billion by 2035.
Report Summary
Market Data
Methodology
Table of Contents
Global Seaweed Extracts Market Outlook
Revenue, 2025
$1.4B
Forecast, 2035
$3.2B
CAGR, 2026 - 2035
8.8%
The Seaweed Extracts industry revenue is expected to be around $1.4 billion in 2026 and expected to showcase growth with 8.8% CAGR between 2026 and 2035. This robust outlook underscores Seaweed Extracts as a strategically important segment in the global bio-based ingredients landscape, as rising demand from Nutraceuticals and Agricultural Products end-users, which together represent 68.0% of the market, is driven by consumer preference for plant-based wellness solutions, pressure on farmers to improve yields with low-residue agricultural biostimulants, and policy support for sustainable agriculture solutions; Brown Seaweed product form, which led industry revenues with approximately $0.67 billion in sales in 2025, continues to strengthen its position thanks to its high concentration of marine bioactives, favorable cost-to-performance ratio, and proven efficacy in plant growth enhancers across diverse crop types.
Seaweed Extracts are concentrated marine-based ingredients derived primarily from brown, red, and green macroalgae, offering a distinctive combination of minerals, amino acids, vitamins, and polysaccharides that enables use as high-value nutraceutical ingredients, organic fertilizers, and functional feed additives; major applications span dietary supplements and functional foods, crop nutrition and stress management solutions, and personal care formulations where they act as natural cosmetic ingredients, while recent trends such as the shift toward clean label formulations, advances in gentle extraction technologies that preserve bioactivity, and greater alignment with regenerative farming and circular bioeconomy models are further amplifying global demand.
Market Key Insights
The Seaweed Extracts market is projected to grow from $1.4 billion in 2025 to $3.2 billion in 2035. This represents a CAGR of 8.8%, reflecting rising demand across Nutraceutical, Cosmetics & Personal Care, and Agricultural sector.
DuPont, Biolchim SpA, and ALGAIA are among the leading players in this market, shaping its competitive landscape.
U.S. and China are the top markets within the Seaweed Extracts market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 6.4% to 9.2% between 2025 and 2030.
Emerging markets including Indonesia, Philippines and South Africa are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 8.4% to 11.0%.
Transition like Shift Toward Bio-Based Agriculture is expected to add $183 million to the Seaweed Extracts market growth by 2030.
The Seaweed Extracts market is set to add $1.8 billion between 2025 and 2035, with manufacturer targeting Agricultural Products & Animal Feed Additives Application projected to gain a larger market share.
With
growing demand for sustainable agricultural inputs coupled with advancements in bio-stimulant extraction technologies, and
Rising Use of Seaweed-Based Ingredients in Clean-Label Food and Nutraceutical Products, Seaweed Extracts market to expand 132% between 2025 and 2035.
Opportunities in the Seaweed Extracts
India’s fast-growing organic farming programmes are also creating strong demand for Seaweed Extracts as algal biostimulants that raise yields while reducing synthetic fertilizer use. Liquid Seaweed Extracts, already rising globally from $0.67 billion in 2025 to $1.15 billion by 2030 at 9.4% CAGR, can be localized for rice, cotton, pulses, and horticulture under diverse soils. Untapped opportunities include smallholder-focused drip-ready formulations, sachet packaging, and collaborations with microfinance institutions and cooperatives to embed plant growth biostimulants into climate-resilient extension services.
Growth Opportunities in Asia-Pacific and Europe
In Asia-Pacific, Seaweed Extracts are most strongly driven by Agricultural Products and Nutraceuticals, where seaweed-based biostimulants and marine bioactives are increasingly integrated into sustainable agriculture programs and premium nutricosmetic and health-oriented nutraceutical formulations. Agricultural Products hold the highest relevance as growers in China, India, and Southeast Asia seek organic-compatible inputs that deliver plant growth promotion, abiotic stress tolerance, and yield stability, creating opportunities for region-specific algal extracts tailored to rice, horticulture, and plantation crops and supported by localized field data. Nutraceuticals represent the next critical end-user, with formulators leveraging concentrated functional ingredients from Seaweed Extracts for gut health, immune support, and metabolic wellness, opening space for branded, clinically profiled actives and co-development with regional contract manufacturers. Animal Feed Additives and aquaculture feed in particular offer strategic upside through high-purity Seaweed Extracts that enhance animal nutrition and health performance metrics, allowing suppliers to differentiate via traceability from local seaweed farming clusters and robust quality-control systems. In cosmetics and personal care, demand for natural cosmetics built around marine bioactives is accelerating in Korea, Japan, and coastal ASEAN markets, supporting opportunities for standardized cosmetic-grade Seaweed Extracts positioned for skin-barrier repair, hydration, and anti-pollution claims. Competitive dynamics remain fragmented, with numerous coastal processors and mid-sized formulators; differentiated growth will come from vertical integration from seaweed cultivation to high-value extracts, investment in application laboratories in key agricultural belts, and long-term distribution alliances that embed Seaweed Extracts into mainstream crop input and nutraceutical channels.
In Europe, Seaweed Extracts are most strategically aligned with Agricultural Products and Cosmetics, as regulators, retailers, and consumers prioritize low-residue farming inputs and natural cosmetics, making seaweed-based biostimulants and cosmetic-grade marine bioactives central to product portfolios. Agricultural Products are the most relevant end-user segment, where Seaweed Extracts that comply with stringent European biostimulant regulations and support regenerative, sustainable agriculture practices gain preferential access to high-value specialty crops, creating opportunities for premium, certified organic formulations and data-rich positioning around nutrient use efficiency and resilience. Cosmetics represent a core growth axis, with formulators demanding traceable, eco-designed Seaweed Extracts for natural cosmetics focused on anti-aging, microbiome-friendly care, and blue beauty concepts, favouring suppliers that can deliver standardized actives, sophisticated in-vitro and clinical substantiation, and alignment with clean-label frameworks. Nutraceuticals and Animal Feed Additives provide additional levers for expansion through highly purified algal extracts and functional ingredients that meet strict European safety and labelling standards, enabling targeted offerings for cardiovascular and metabolic health supplements and for advanced animal nutrition in poultry, ruminants, and aquaculture. Competition is characterised by established specialty ingredient manufacturers and innovation-driven SMEs, intensifying the need for differentiation via proprietary extraction technologies, strong sustainability credentials, and partnerships within regional bioeconomy and circular-value-chain initiatives to secure long-term supply and regulatory advantage for Seaweed Extracts across all key end-users.
Market Dynamics and Supply Chain
01
Driver: Growing Demand for Sustainable Agricultural Inputs Coupled with Advancements in Bio-stimulant Extraction Technologies
Seaweed extracts are also increasingly gaining traction as farmers look for sustainable and eco-friendly inputs that improve crop performance while reducing dependency on synthetic chemicals. This shift is also driven by rising soil degradation, stringent residue regulations, and the need for climate-resilient farming solutions. Seaweed-based products offer enhanced nutrient uptake, better stress tolerance, and improved root development, making them ideal for precision and organic agriculture. At the same time, technological advancements in extraction methods such as enzymatic hydrolysis, cold-processing, and cell-bursting techniques are also enabling manufacturers to produce more concentrated, stable, and function-specific formulations. These innovations help isolate bioactive compounds with improved efficacy, consistency, and crop-specific benefits. The combination of sustainability pressure and extraction optimization is also expanding the adoption of seaweed extracts across high-value horticulture, greenhouse cultivation, and specialty crop markets.
The clean-label movement is also pushing food and nutraceutical manufacturers to replace synthetic additives with natural, multifunctional ingredients, boosting the use of seaweed-derived extracts. These extracts offer natural thickening, gelling, stabilizing, and mineral-rich properties, aligning with consumer preferences for healthier, minimally processed products. Growing interest in plant-based diets and functional wellness ingredients further supports their adoption, as seaweed extracts provide bioactive compounds linked to digestive health, immunity, and metabolic balance. This trend is also particularly strong in fortified beverages, dairy alternatives, and supplements.
02
Restraint: Regulatory Hurdles
The global seaweed extracts market is encountering regulatory challenges on a worldwide scale. The strictness of regulations and the requirement to adhere to diverse laws in countries can significantly influence market dynamics. Manufacturers are tasked with meeting standards and securing approvals from entities such as the FDA and EU commission. These criteria involve showcasing the products effectiveness, safety and environmental friendliness. Sometimes these prerequisites can slow down market progress since acquiring certifications can be both time consuming and costly. Any delay in receiving approval may lead to a drop, in market demand.
03
Opportunity: Vegan nutraceutical innovations for European health enthusiasts and Premium anti-aging skincare solutions in South Korea
European vegan and flexitarian consumers are driving rapid growth in high-purity Powder Seaweed Extracts for nutraceuticals, fortified foods, and clean-label beverages. In the wider seaweed extract market, this segment is projected to expand from $0.47 billion in 2025 to $0.77 billion by 2030 at an 8.5% CAGR, supported by innovations in microencapsulation, taste masking, and standardized marine bioactives. Market whitespace exists in iodine-controlled, allergen-free formulations and personalized nutrition concepts targeting gut health, immune support, and sports recovery through natural antioxidants and sustainable functional ingredients.
South Korea’s advanced beauty industry is primed for premium Seaweed Extracts in anti-aging skincare, leveraging cosmeceuticals that combine efficacy with marine sustainability. Within the global seaweed extract market, flakes-based Seaweed Extracts, scaling from $0.16 billion in 2025 to $0.24 billion by 2030 at 7.02% CAGR, can feed value-added serums, ampoules, and sheet masks. Opportunities lie in co-developing proprietary actives with leading K-beauty brands, focusing on anti-pollution, skin-barrier repair, and blue-light protection, supported by circular bioeconomy sourcing and transparent clean-beauty storytelling.
04
Challenge: Cost and Scalability Challenges
The production of seaweed extracts goes through steps such as harvesting and purification before extraction takes place and other related processes are completed as well. Expanding these operations while ensuring the quality of the extract can pose difficulties. Increased production expenses may directly influence the prices of the end products which could result in seaweed extracts becoming less accessible, to consumers. Additionally the markets need for products that are both highly efficient and cost effective intensifies this issue thus creating a barrier to the markets expansion.
Supply Chain Landscape
1
Seaweed Harvesting
Acadian Seaplants LimitedALGAIACargill Incorporated
2
Seaweed Extracts Processing
ALGAIADuPontAcadian Seaplants Limited
3
Seaweed Extracts Formulation
Biolchim SpADuPontCargill Incorporated
4
Seaweed Extracts Applications
Agricultural biostimulantsOrganic fertilizersFunctional food ingredients
1
Seaweed Harvesting
Acadian Seaplants LimitedALGAIACargill Incorporated
2
Seaweed Extracts Processing
ALGAIADuPontAcadian Seaplants Limited
3
Seaweed Extracts Formulation
Biolchim SpADuPontCargill Incorporated
4
Seaweed Extracts Applications
Agricultural biostimulantsOrganic fertilizersFunctional food ingredients
Use Cases of Seaweed Extracts in Nutraceutical & Agricultural sector
Nutraceutical : In the nutraceutical sector, fucoidan, alginate, carrageenan, and laminarin seaweed extracts are widely used for their bioactive properties that support immune function, digestive health, and antioxidant activity. Fucoidan from brown seaweed is particularly valued for its anti‑inflammatory and anti‑viral potential, while alginates and carrageenans are incorporated into dietary supplements and functional foods for fiber enrichment and gut health. Major players such as Marinova, Cargill, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, and Greenland Technologies lead with scientifically backed products, strong quality controls, and global distribution networks that serve growing consumer demand for natural, plant‑derived health solutions in capsules, powders, and fortified beverages.
Cosmetics & Personal Care : In cosmetics and personal care, seaweed extracts such as ascophyllum nodosum, kelp extract, and spirulina are integrated into skincare, haircare, and anti‑aging formulations for their hydrating, antioxidant, and mineral‑rich profiles. These marine botanicals enhance skin barrier function, soothe irritation, and boost moisture retention, making them popular in moisturizers, serums, and masks. Top suppliers like Ashland, Gelyma, and FMC Corporation supply tailored seaweed actives with consistent quality and efficacy. Their products help brands differentiate with marine‑based, clean beauty positioning while addressing consumer interest in sustainable and functional personal care ingredients.
Agricultural sector : In agriculture, seaweed extracts such as kelp, sargassum, and ulva serve as biostimulants that improve plant growth, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance. These extracts contain natural hormones, agricultural micronutrients, and polysaccharides that support root development and crop resilience. Companies like Valagro, Symborg, and Acadian Seaplants lead this space with advanced formulations that increase yield and soil health in row crops, horticulture, and turf management. Seaweed biostimulants deliver benefits such as enhanced germination, improved drought resistance, and reduced reliance on synthetic chemicals, aligning with sustainable agriculture and organic farming trends.
Recent Developments
Recent developments in the seaweed extracts market show robust growth as companies expand functional ingredient portfolios for nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and sustainable agriculture. Innovations in bioactive extraction technologies and standardized polysaccharide processing are improving product efficacy and consistency. A key market trend is the rise of marine‑derived biostimulants and natural antioxidants, driving demand in clean‑label supplements, anti‑aging skincare, and organic crop nutrition. Enhanced supply chain partnerships and quality certification efforts are strengthening global adoption and commercial scalability.
January 2024 : Acadian Seaplants Limited finalized the acquisition of a Chilean seaweed processing company for approximately USD 28 million. This strategic move expanded Acadian’s raw seaweed sourcing footprint into South America and strengthened its access to Pacific seaweed species, enhancing processing capacity and global distribution capabilities for its seaweed extract products in agriculture, nutraceutical, and personal care applications.
September 2024 : Cargill announced a USD 45 million expansion of its seaweed extract production facility in Norway, increasing capacity by about 60% and integrating advanced extraction technology to retain higher levels of bioactive compounds. This investment supports broader supply agreements and strengthens Cargill’s competitive position in food, agriculture, and cosmetics supply chains.
Impact of Industry Transitions on the Seaweed Extracts Market
As a core segment of the Packaged & Processed F&B industry,
the Seaweed Extracts market develops in line with broader industry shifts.
Over recent years, transitions such as Shift Toward Bio-Based Agriculture and Expansion Into Functional Foods have redefined priorities
across the Packaged & Processed F&B sector,
influencing how the Seaweed Extracts market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics.
These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01
Shift Toward Bio-Based Agriculture
The accelerating shift toward bio-based agriculture is redefining the Seaweed Extracts landscape, as regulators and value-chain stakeholders move decisively away from synthetic agrochemicals toward organic-compatible, residue-safe inputs. Demand for seaweed bio-stimulants is surging across high-value horticulture, vineyards, and greenhouse farming, where growers seek to enhance crop resilience, nutrient efficiency, and plant health while aligning with sustainable agriculture standards. Vegetable and fruit producers are systematically substituting synthetic growth enhancers with advanced Seaweed Extracts formulations to mitigate abiotic stress, improve yield consistency, and upgrade produce quality. Strategically, this structural pivot in input strategies is expected to add approximately $183 million to the seaweed extract market by 2030, cementing Seaweed Extracts as a critical enabler of next-generation, low-residue, performance-driven organic farming systems worldwide.
02
Expansion Into Functional Foods
Another key transition is the rapid expansion of seaweed extracts into functional foods and nutraceuticals as companies seek natural, nutrient-rich ingredients. Seaweed-derived alginates, fucoidans, and polyphenols are increasingly used for clean-label thickening, antioxidant support, and mineral enrichment. This shift is driving reformulation in beverages, plant-based dairy alternatives, and dietary supplements. For instance, wellness brands are incorporating seaweed bio-actives into immunity-boosting powders and gut-health blends, replacing synthetic stabilizers while adding measurable functional benefits reshaping ingredient sourcing and product innovation in the health and nutrition sector.