Global Seaweed Extracts Market Outlook
Revenue, 2024
$1.3B
Forecast, 2034
$3.0B
CAGR, 2025 - 2034
8.8%
The Seaweed Extracts industry revenue is expected to be around $1.4 billion in 2025 and expected to showcase growth with 8.8% CAGR between 2025 and 2034. The notable rise in the market for seaweed extracts mirrors its growing importance due to several key reasons. Seaweed extracts are valued for their richness in nutrients and play a vital part in supporting different industries. Factors like advancements in farming practices and the increasing recognition of their health advantages along with a rising demand across sectors such as agriculture, beauty care products and medicine all contribute to the significance of seaweed extracts, in the market.
Seaweed extracts obtained from seaweeds are rich in minerals and bioactive compounds along with plant growth hormones which play a significant role in various industries such as plant growth enhancers and skincare items as well as being used in pharmaceuticals and food and beverage supplements due, to their diverse benefits.
Market Key Insights
The Seaweed Extracts market is projected to grow from $1.3 billion in 2024 to $3.0 billion in 2034. This represents a CAGR of 8.8%, reflecting rising demand across Nutraceutical industry, Cosmetics & Personal Care, and Agricultural sector.
Cargill Incorporated, Dupont de Nemours Inc., and Algea AS 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 2024 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 $209 million to the Seaweed Extracts market growth by 2030
.The Seaweed Extracts market is set to add $1.7 billion between 2024 and 2034, with manufacturer targeting Food & Beverages & Cosmetics Application projected to gain a larger market share.
With
seaweed extracts in aquaculture, and
Climbing Demand in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics, Seaweed Extracts market to expand 132% between 2024 and 2034.
Opportunities in the Seaweed Extracts
The use of seaweed extracts is also becoming more popular in the cosmetics industry due to their hydrating benefits and rich mineral content. These extracts are now being incorporated into skincare products, like anti age creams and moisturizers driving significant growth in the market.
Growth Opportunities in North America and Asia Pacific
In North America. In the United States. There is a noticeable increase in interest in seaweed extracts because people are becoming more aware of the health advantages that products derived from seaweed offer them. The popularity of made seaweed extracts is growing in this region as people seek out products with clear labeling. New and advanced extraction methods are also playing a role, in making seaweed extracts commercially feasible and helping to expand the market in North America. In this region there is competition among major companies who are emphasizing on improving their products forming strategic alliances and making acquisitions to strengthen their market presence. The sectors fuel demand for seaweed extracts, in this locality comprise the food and beverage sector, agriculture industry and beauty sector.
In the Asia Pacific region in countries like China and Japan as well as South Korea hold a significant position in the market for seaweed extracts owing to their well established seaweed farming practices and widespread utilization of such extracts across different industries. This region has a market, with many companies dedicating efforts to explore distinct beneficial characteristics of seaweed extracts through research and development in order to expand their usage possibilities. In this region's development are factors such as a growing food and beverage sector and a rising interest in beauty products; also notable is the increasing utilization of seaweed extracts for improving crop yields. The thriving pharmaceutical field in search of eco options offers promising prospects for the seaweed extracts market, in the Asia Pacific region.
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: Rising Opportunities in Agricultural Use and Untapped Potential in Nutraceutical Sector
The gradual increase in the adoption of farming methods has opened doors for the greater application of seaweed extracts in agriculture. The use of these extracts as bio stimulants to their beneficial effects on plant growth has played a role in the expansion of the seaweed extract market within this industry. This shift, towards farming is expected to drive additional growth in the market.
A notable development in the industry is the increasing use of seaweed extracts in dietary supplements and functional foods due to the rising demand for natural and plant based ingredients with high nutritional value. This change in consumer choice towards plant based diets is expected to drive market expansion for seaweed extracts, in this emerging market segment.
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 Cultivation
Algues & MerSeaweed Energy Solutions
2
ion & Processing
Acadian Seaplants LimitedFMC Corporation
3
Production
Marine Biopolymers LtdAlgea AS
4
Distribution & Trade
BIO ATLANTIS LtdAlgas Marinas S.A
1
Seaweed Cultivation
Algues & MerSeaweed Energy Solutions
2
ion & Processing
Acadian Seaplants LimitedFMC Corporation
3
Production
Marine Biopolymers LtdAlgea AS
4
Distribution & Trade
BIO ATLANTIS LtdAlgas Marinas S.A
Applications of Seaweed Extracts in Nutraceutical industry, Agricultural sector & Cosmetics & Personal Care
Nutraceutical industry : In the realm of nutraceuticals industry seaweed extracts hold value due to their diverse range of nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Among these brown seaweed extracts stand out for their iodine content, fiber richness and beneficial fucoxanthin levels that are known to support weight management and heart health. Key players in this field such as GNC and Amway have capitalizedon these attributes to develop dietary supplements strengthening their standing, in the market.
Cosmetics & Personal Care : Seaweed extracts have become a choice for adding moisture and anti age properties to skincare and hair care products due to their hydrating and skin healing benefits. Notably used in items like facial masks and moisturizers are red seaweed extracts rich in carrageenan which is well known for its skin conditioning effects. High end companies, like LOreal and Este Lauder have introduced a range of seaweed infused products to enhance their presence in the beauty industry.
Agricultural sector : Seaweed extracts are becoming increasingly popular in the field of agriculture well. They are being utilized as bio stimulants to improve crop yield and help plants withstand conditions. One used of seaweed extract for this purpose is Ascophyllum nodosum thanks to its essential components, like cytokinins.
Recent Developments
Seaweed extracts have become increasingly popular across industries due to their versatile benefits and significant growth in recent times. With the aid of cutting edge technology companies are tapping into the advantages of seaweed to expand their product lines. A noticeable trend gaining traction today is the utilization of seaweed extracts, in agriculture practices.
December 2024 : Renowned distributor Vitaseaweed introduced a lineup of natural seaweed extracts aimed at the health and wellness industry.
November 2024 : Aquatic Harvest revealed plans to expand its seaweed farming facilities in response to the growing need, for seaweed extract supplements.
October 2024 : SeaBioTech is a cutting edge company specializing in seaweed extract technology. They have created an extraction method that boosts the concentration of bioactive compounds.
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 seaweed extract industry is undergoing a major transition as global agriculture shifts from chemical-intensive practices to bio-based inputs. Farmers are increasingly adopting seaweed bio-stimulants to improve crop resilience, nutrient uptake, and soil structure while meeting stricter residue and sustainability regulations. This transition is reshaping high-value horticulture, vineyard management, and greenhouse farming, where precision and organic-compatible solutions are in high demand. For example, vegetable and fruit growers are replacing synthetic growth enhancers with seaweed-derived formulations to boost yield, reduce abiotic stress, and enhance produce quality—ultimately transforming input strategies across modern agricultural systems. This industry transition is expected to add $209 million in the industry revenue between 2024 and 2030.
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.