Commercial Seaweed Market

Commercial Seaweed Market Size

The global commercial seaweed market size was valued at USD 72.3 billion in 2025. The market is expected to grow from USD 78.1 billion in 2026 to USD 142.6 billion in 2035, at a CAGR of 6.9% according to latest report published by Global Market Insights Inc.

• Seaweed's ever-growing use within the hydrocolloid market is one engine of growth for the seaweed industry, as Hydrocolloids (Alginate, Agar, Carrageenan) continue to gain popularity as gelling agents, stabilizers and thickeners within both food and cosmetics. EUcheuma and Gracilaria are the dominant red seaweed species in the Carrageenan marketplace, whereas Laminaria is the primary brown seaweed harvested for alginate extraction. Collectively, these two segments represent over 40% of global commercial seaweed sales.
  
• As the agricultural industry moves towards a more sustainable form of farming through organic/regenerative practices, there has been an increase in the use of seaweed-based products, including biofertilizers/biostimulants, and the demand for these products continues to grow throughout many parts of the world. The FAO estimates that there are now more than thirty-five countries that recognize the use of seaweed-based fertilizers as part of their policy frameworks for sustainable agriculture, especially throughout the Asian and Latin American regions.
  
• In the latest developments within the market, many seaweed-related companies have been investing in research and development on seaweed biotechnology for nutraceuticals/pharmaceuticals and creating high-value downstream processing systems focused upon the isolation of proteins, antioxidants, and iodine from macroalgae (seaweed). Algaia, Cargill and Oceanium are examples of companies who are pursuing the development of such technologies. It is predicted that global demand for seaweed-derived nutraceuticals will continue to increase at rates exceeding 12% CAGR through 2030, with continued emphasis on the use of nutraceuticals in products designed to boost immunity and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
  

Commercial Seaweed Market Trends

• Use of technology for seaweed cultivation transformation: The growth in seaweed cultivation is being driven by the integration of technology into the seaweed industry. Seaweed farmers, who previously harvested their crop with little to no technology and relied heavily on human labor, now have access to a range of technologies such as satellite and drone-based remote sensors (also known as remote sensing), artificial intelligence (AI)-based farm management applications and IoT-based monitoring solutions, that allow them to optimize their yield, identify disease outbreaks and monitor oceanographic conditions in real-time.
  
• Two examples are Ocean Rainforest and Sea6 Energy, both of which use automated harvesting and automation to monitor the biomass of their crops to increase crop yield. This is critical because the world’s appetite for seaweed is expected to reach 60 million tons per year by 2030 (an increase of approximately 23 million tons from 37 million tons in 2023) (FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization).
  
• Availability of increasing government support and policy integration: Governments across Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America are increasingly providing regulatory support and funding to promote the use of seaweed as part of their climate change mitigation, sustainable agricultural development and food security policies. In 2023, the European Commission announced the launch of its "EU Algae Initiative" with the goal of increasing (by 1,000%) annual EU seaweed production through research grants, standardization of production and the provision of services that facilitate the production and sale of seaweed.
  
• Agricultural sustainable input demand and plastic waste in packaging: With the increasing push to reduce synthetic inputs and plastic waste, there has never been more of a demand for commercial seaweed products to fill these voids. As such, there are now many seaweed-based biostimulants and biofertilizers, gaining popularity due to their usefulness in increasing crop resilience by helping farmers manage soil stress due to climate change.
  
• By the end of the decade, the seaweed-based agricultural input market is projected to be over USD 5.1 billion worldwide, showing a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%. In addition to this emerging seaweed-based agricultural input market, there are opportunities for using seaweed-based films and polymers to create biodegradable packaging as alternatives to single-use plastics in over 50 different countries.
  
• High value end use and functional extracts: In addition to food and hydrocolloids, companies are also pursuing high-value extracts for additional purposes: nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and pharmaceuticals, using seaweed's many bioactive compounds—polysaccharides, antioxidants, and peptides—to create products for a range of markets, where sales for seaweed nutraceuticals are projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 12% from 2024 to 2030, responding to the increasing consumer focus on evidence-based marine-derived wellness products.
  
• Companies such as Algaia, Oceanium, and Gelymar are investing in automated and novel extraction technologies for extracting these high-value compounds from seaweed at scale.
  

Commercial Seaweed Market Analysis

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Based on type, the commercial seaweed market is segmented into red algae, brown algae, and green algae. Red algae dominated the market with market share of 48.6% in 2025 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 6.8% till 2035.

• The seaweed market is dominated by the commercial seaweed segment of red algae. This is due in part to the plethora of hydrocolloids (carrageenan and agar) made from red algae.?These hydrocolloids are utilized in many sectors of the food, pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
  
• The gelling ability, thickening ability and stabilizing properties of carrageenan extract from red algae are key to its utilization as a thickener in dairy, meat and plant-based foods. Agar powder is also derived from red algae and is an important gelling agent in microbiological media, vegan food, and confectionery.
  
• Innovation in carrageenan extraction and improved grades of carrageenan (low viscosity) have increased the importance of red algae in premium markets. Clean processing and value-added products that meet market challenges are areas in which companies such as CP Kelco and Gelymar are working with.
  

Based on form, the commercial seaweed market is segmented into dry seaweed, and wet/fresh seaweed. Dry seaweed dominated the market with market share of 80.6% in 2025 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 6.6% up to 2035.

• The dried seaweed segment is the largest category within the commercial seaweed market, due to its decreased moisture content, extending storage duration, improved shipping capabilities, and enhanced commercial viability. When seaweed is dried, the moisture content of dried seaweed decreases significantly, which preserves the nutritional composition of the seaweed and allows for worldwide exportation of dried seaweed without the need for maintaining cold-chain logistics.
  
• Dried seaweed is mostly used in the food and hydrocolloid industries to produce substances such as carrageenan, alginate, and agar. Countries such as China, Indonesia, and the Philippines are the largest exporters of dried seaweed (both sun-drying methods and mechanical drying methods) for further processing to meet the industrial demand in the food and pharmaceutical sectors worldwide.
  

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Based on end user, the commercial seaweed market is segmented into food & beverage, animal feed, pharmaceutical & personal care, biofuels, and others. Food & beverage held the largest market share of 33.9% in 2025 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% during 2026 to 2035.

• The food and beverage segment is expected to represent the largest market share in the global commercial seaweed market in 2025, accounting for over a third of all sales. The dominant role of seaweed as a natural thickener/stabilizer/flavor enhancer/nutritional supplement will continue to fuel growth in processed and packaged foods.
  
• Seaweed extracts, specifically hydrocolloids, are used to create moisture-retaining and mouth-feel-enhancing qualities in many food products such as dairy, baked goods, candies, meat alternatives and plant-based meats. As more consumers are looking for natural/vegan options when it comes to thickeners, the supply of seaweed-derived hydrocolloids such as carrageenan, agar and alginate will continue to be an important resource for food formulators.
  
• As well as being used as an additive to improve texture/flavor/quality of food, consumption of whole seaweeds is increasing, particularly in Western and Asian cultures. Whole seaweeds provide high levels of Iodine, Fiber and Antioxidants. Products such as nori snacks, kelp noodles and seaweed seasonings are now widely available within the health & wellness segment and are being embraced by many consumers who identify as "flexitarian" or "vegan".
  

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The North America commercial seaweed market is growing rapidly on the global level with a market share of 11% in 2025.

• The NOAA seaweed aquaculture strategic initiative and new USDA funding made available through its climate-smart commodities program are aimed at supporting start-up businesses to create climate-resilient farming systems for seaweed. There has been an increase in investment in the use of seaweed for biodegradable packaging and for livestock feeds that reduce methane emissions, driven by California's aggressive climate goals.
  

U.S. dominates the North America commercial seaweed market with a market size of USD 6.5 billion in 2025, showcasing strong growth potential.

• U.S. is also seeing growth in the commercial seaweed market supported by sustainable innovation and government policy incentives, with the U.S. having a growing number of initiatives in its blue economy that see seaweed as both a sink for carbon and a source of regenerative agriculture.
  

Europe commercial seaweed market leads the industry with revenue of USD 9.5 billion in 2025 and is anticipated to show lucrative growth over the forecast period.

• Europe is emerging quickly as a center for strategic innovation for its seaweed bioeconomy, again driven by regulatory initiatives and goals related to circularity. The 2022 EU Algae Strategy will create an environment in which increased production of seaweeds will be achieved, aided by research funding and certification initiatives for sustainability. France, Ireland, and Norway are heavily investing in pilot projects related to the aquaculture of seaweeds, integrated multi-trophic systems, and food-grade processing infrastructure. In Norway, for example, there is increasing use of seaweed to produce biogas and aquafeeds, benefiting from synergies with the well-established salmon farming industry.
  

The Asia Pacific commercial seaweed market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 15.8% during the analysis timeframe.

• The majority of the world's seaweed production is located within Asia-Pacific, with an estimated 80% produced within the region due to the large amounts of seaweed grown in countries such as China, Indonesia, South Korea and the Philippines. In Indonesia, for example, there is now a major focus being placed on developing and implementing new strategies for improving the efficiency of seaweed farming and reducing spoilage losses after harvest through digitalization and strengthening the cooperative system. In December 2020, Indonesia established the National Strategic Commodities Roadmap for Exports, where it identified seaweed as one of the primary sectors within which it aims to develop a competitive and integrated global export industry.
  

Latin America commercial seaweed accounted for 1.7% market share in 2025 and is anticipated to show highest growth over the forecast period.

• In recent years, there has been a movement away from conventional methods of harvesting seaweed in Latin America (primarily in Chile and Peru) towards increasing value and using the commodity as an exportable product. To exploit the benefits of its long cold-water coastlines, Chile has developed a more organized approach to brown seaweed farming through partnerships between academic institutions and industry and by accessing funding for research and development through the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO). Currently, Chile exports significant quantities of dry seaweed, much of which is processed for alginate.
  

Middle East & Africa commercial seaweed is expected to show lucrative growth over the forecast period.

• The commercial seaweed industry within the MEA region remains in its relative infancy; however, there is an opportunity to develop strategic coastal locations such as Morocco, Tanzania and South Africa into larger markets for seaweed. Morocco has already begun investing in the cultivation of kelp off its Atlantic coast as a part of a Blue Economy investment program in conjunction with European-based Biotechnology companies.
  

Commercial Seaweed Market Share

In 2025, top 5 key players held around 35% of the total market share. The leading companies in this sector, including Cargill, Acadian Seaplants, Tate & Lyle, Gelymar, and Algaia, dominate by having high-volume product capabilities of growing seaweed, using proprietary techniques for extracting their products, using vertically integrated supply chain networks, and having a robust business model.

Cargill is the global leader because it has an extremely strong agribusiness model, where the company uses partnerships with a variety of businesses to commercialize hydrocolloids based on seaweed and specifically, carrageenan and alginate. Another example is Acadian Seaplants, based in Canada, which has a large share of the market for plant bio stimulants and personal care products. This company operates in over 80 countries and has over 20 registered patents that give Acadian Seaplants a strong IP moat.

Levels of competition vary, but they include price competitiveness, location of sourcing and transportation, R&D efforts toward development of added-value applications (e.g. bioplastics, nutraceuticals), product certification and regulatory compliance. As mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures continue to increase significantly, these are contributing to the consolidation within the global commercial seaweed industry. For example, DuPont acquired the health and nutrition division of the FMC Corporation, which included the purchase of a significant amount of seaweed assets.

• Cargill: Cargill is a top producer of seaweed-based ingredients such as carrageenan and alginate for food and pharmaceutical products. Their network of raw material sources is global but is particularly strong in Asia. Cargill is committed to ensuring all sourced materials are traceable and sustainable. One of Cargill’s key initiatives is the continued development of clean label solutions, as well as plant-based solutions, for formulators.
  
• Acadian Seaplants: Acadian Seaplants is based in Canada and specializes in the collection of wild harvested and cultivated types of brown seaweeds, specifically Ascophyllum Nodosum, which grows naturally along Canada’s Atlantic shoreline. Acadian Seaplants works with growers of both types of seaweed for a variety of purposes, including biostimulants for use in agriculture and animal feed, soil amendments, and as a component of marine-based additives. The company addresses the challenges of producing climate resilient crops and improving soil health globally through the promotion of its patented formulations and scientific research and development.
  
• Tate & Lyle: This company is one of the top hydrocolloid suppliers and is also involved in the functional food ingredient production from seaweed (mainly from the red and brown varieties). Refined carrageenan and gellan gum, which are the company’s main offerings, serve as texture and stabilization solutions for food and beverage applications.
  
• Gelymar: With much of the world’s carrageenan production being sold in its refined form, Gelymar, based in Chile, is one of the world’s leading suppliers and has over 40 countries to which it supplies. Its formulations are of high purity and are targeted for the dairy and meat processing sectors as well as personal care. Extensive investments in process innovation and the creation of a large, fully integrated seaweed farming network along the Pacific Coast are notable achievements of Gelymar.
  
• Algaia: Algaia, a French company, develops products from algae for the food, cosmetic, and agricultural industries. As a result of consumer demand for clean-label hydrocolloids and marine bioactives, Algaia has directed the development efforts towards creating these types of ingredients. All Algaia's endeavors are done in an environmentally friendly manner and the company focuses on the environmentally sustainable biomaterials through partnerships with European seaweed harversters and universities researching sustainable materials.
  

Commercial Seaweed Market Companies

Major players operating in the commercial seaweed industry include:

• Acadian Seaplants
• Algaia
• Cargill
• DuPont
• FMC Corporation
• Gelymar
• Indo Alginate
• Irish Seaweeds
• KIMICA Corporation
• Mara Seaweed
• MCPI (Marine Chemicals & Polymers Industries)
• Ocean Harvest Technology
• Qingdao Gather Great Ocean Algae Industry Group
• Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group
• Seasol
• Seaweed Energy Solutions
• Shaanxi Hongda Phytochemistry Co., Ltd.
• Tate & Lyle 
• TBK Manufacturing Corporation
• W Hydrocolloids, Inc.
  

Commercial Seaweed Industry News

• In November 2025, Cargill made an announcement on the growth of its seaweed operations in Indonesia. They are working with local cooperatives to implement the Traceability Blockchain System for sustainable production of carrageenan.
  
• In September 2025, Algaia has launched a brand-new line of Cosmetic-Grade Alginate under their Algogel brand in collaboration with a luxury Skincare Company based in France, focusing on European clean cosmo market.
  
• In July 2025, CP Kelco opened its newly built state-of-the-art Seaweed Processing Plant in Southern India, dedicated to producing food-grade refined carrageenan for the Asian Marketplace.
  
• In May 2025, Acadian Seaplants was the first to receive USDA Certification to market its Ascophyllum based biostimulants as organic in North America.
  
• In February 2025, Gelymar introduced its Latest High-Gelling Carrageenan Formula used in dairy desserts and Plant-Based Beverages, supported by New Pilot Scale Extrusion Equipment.
  
• In December 2024, Sea6 Energy Raised USD 25 million in Series C funding led by Shell Ventures to grow its offshore mechanized seaweed farming methods and expand into the African Coastline.
  

This commercial seaweed market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Billion) and volume (Kilo Tons) from 2026 to 2035, for the following segments:

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Market, By Type

• Red algae
• Brown algae
• Green algae

Market, By Form

• Dry seaweed
• Wet/Fresh seaweed

Market, By End Use

• Food & beverage
  • Dairy products
  • Bakery & confectionery
  • Processed meats & seafood
  • Vegan/plant-based foods
  • Functional beverages
  • Edible seaweed snacks
  • Sauces, soups & seasonings
• Animal feed
  • Livestock feed additives
  • Poultry feed
  • Aquaculture feed
  • Pet food supplements
  • Methane-reducing feed for ruminants
• Pharmaceutical & personal care
  • Wound healing ointments
  • Drug delivery systems
  • Skin care lotions & creams
  • Shampoos & conditioners
  • Anti-aging & anti-inflammatory products
  • Oral care products
• Biofuels
  • Bioethanol production
  • Biogas generation
  • Algal biomass pre-treatment inputs
  • Hybrid renewable energy blends
• Others
  • Agricultural biostimulants
  • Soil conditioners
  • Water treatment agents
  • Textile industry applications
  • Bioplastics & packaging materials

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE
  • Rest of Middle East and Africa