Commercial Seaweeds Market Size (2022 - 2030)
The commercial seaweeds market size at the global level is estimated to reach USD 43.7 billion by 2030 from 16.9 billion in 2022. The market records a growth of 12.9% CAGR from 2022-to 2030.

Seaweed is one major source of iodine, rarely found in ingredients or food items. The use of seaweed and its segregates repletion and additionally limits the postprandial absorption rates of glucose and lipids in humans helping the improvement of anti-obesity foods.

Seaweed meal is increasingly used as animal feed. As per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 1million tonnes of seaweed resulted in the production of 55,000 hydrocolloid tonne, in 2022. Agar production remains the most promising seaweed with increasing applications in photographic emulsions, chromatography, and dental prosthetics.

Seawoods are consumed as food as well as ingredients due to their anti-microbial properties which gives a preservative advantage to the foods. Seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows and can be utilized as biomass for energy production. During the process of energy production seaweeds are crushed and then water is added to the slurry.

Seaweeds like Irish moss are used to produce carrageenan production.

Market Drivers
The food and beverages industry is finding high applications in commercial seaweeds escalating the market growth. The increasing significance of functional food and beverages has heightened alg1ae use in different products fuels the market growth.

An increase in advanced technologies in seaweed cultivation coupled with the growing investments in the application segments containing agriculture and animal feed fuel the commercial seaweed market. Consumers are increasing their inclination regarding the use of seaweed in meat and bakery products and are more aware of the advantages of nutritional food. The above-mentioned factors propel the increasing demand for carrageenan across emerging countries. Major key players are continuously investing in research and development activities that have remarkably contributed to developed gums, preservatives, and thickeners.

Consumers are showing high interest in plant-based products and increasing consumption of seaweed-based products escalates the commercial seaweeds market growth. Governments across the globe are taking initiatives for mounting seaweed cultivation. The enormous volume of cultivation related to sea vegetables besides the low cost of the production mounts the commercial seaweed market growth during the foreseen period. Moreover, low costs and commercial possibility is letting farmers choose for seaweed production expands the market growth.

Market Restrains
However, the increasing occurrence of natural disasters hampers the commercial seaweed market growth.

Segment Analysis
The global Commercial Seaweeds Market is based on the product, application, and form.

Commercial Seaweeds Market - By Product

• Brown seaweeds

• Red seaweeds

• Green seaweeds

By product, the red seaweeds market dominates the commercial seaweeds market with the highest share during the forecast period. The segment grows with a share of 52.8% in terms of revenue. The red seaweeds segment growth owes to its outstanding functional elements. Red seaweeds are used as food crops and are enhanced with proteins and vitamins. Red seaweeds are used for preparing food and are a magnificent source of two hydrocolloids inclusive of agar and kappa carrageenan. 

The second place is backed by brown seaweeds and accounts for 45.86% in 2022. The segment is expected to record robust growth during the historical period.

Commercial Seaweeds Market - By Application

• Agriculture

• Animal Feed

• Human Consumption

• Others

Human consumption accounts for the largest share of 82.34% spanning to the quick rise in population, growth in disposable income. The more health-conscious consumers are more aware of healthy eating habits and the demand for processed food products worldwide is booming the application segment growth.

Commercial Seaweeds Market - By Form

• Liquid

• Powdered

• Flakes

The liquid form segment of commercial seaweed with a revenue share of 53.2% in 2022. The segment growth attributes as the liquid form of seaweed is used as foliar fertilizer and soil conditioner for plants supplying enzymes, vitamins, potassium, and minerals. The above-mentioned factor enhances market growth. Nutrients like minerals, potassium bloom the growth of plant cells, resulting in healthy, strong, and more disease-resistant plants.

Powdered-based seaweed form is applicable to display considerable growth with an 11.3% rate during the mentioned period. The eminent elements like longer service life, easy storage and transportation, and operating costs are less decreasing the chances of spoilage.

Regional Analysis
Asia-Pacific is dominating the commercial seaweed market valued at USD 10.83 billion in 2022. The adoption of commercial types of algae is fostering and widely used in traditional cuisines across the countries like Vietnam, China, and Japan. The food and beverages sector is highly demanding for macroalgae.

In Asia-Pacific, the demand for seaweeds for direct human consumption is higher. The demand is higher in countries like Japan, South Korea, and China. In China and Japan, brown seaweeds are taken with jelly, coconut milk, and crushed ice. Moreover, the region's growth owes to the growing significance of personal care products and plant-based cosmetics.

The commercial seaweeds market in North America is foreseeable to observe significant growth. The demand for plant-based products in the U.S is accelerating along with flourishing demand for vegan and vegetarian diets is swelling the commercial seaweeds market growth across the region. Advanced technologies and continuous improvements in the cultivation and harvesting of algae sharpen the market growth tremendously.

The European market for commercial seaweeds is expected to display immovable growth throughout the timeframe period. The high-quality and natural supplements demand is accumulating creating huge opportunities for the seaweed pharmaceutical among the emerging economies of Europe. Due to the shortage of supply, the imports of algae reduced by 66% during 2014-2018. Moreover, seaweeds like chlorella and spirulina help sponsor the new trends of plant-based consumption in Europe.

Latin America is likely to showcase fixed growth in the commercial seaweeds market because of its massive regional area inclusive of diverse oceanic domains. Harvesting of natural beds is the primary seaweed production in South America. Development of farming techniques, the extension of farming activities, and improving new strains provide notable opportunities to the key players operating in the commercial seaweed market in LATAM.

The Middle East and African regions are at their budding stage in the commercial seaweeds market. In South Africa, green algae are one important aquaculture product. The commercial seaweeds market in the MEA is estimated to witness secured growth owing to the growing demand for green algae in cosmetics and dietary supplements. 

Major key players in the global Commercial Seaweeds Market
1. Cargill Inc

2. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company

3. Roullier Group

4. Biostadt India Limited

5. Compo GmbH & Co. KG

6. Acadian Seaplants Limited

7. Gelymar SA; BrandT Consolidated, Inc

8. Seasol International Pty. Ltd

9. CP Kelco

10. West Coast Marine Bio-Processing Corp

11. Leili Group

12. Chase Organics GB Limited

13. Indigrow Ltd

14. Travena Organic Solutions Ltd.

COVID-19 Impact On Commercial Seaweeds Market
The widespread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely impacted the commercial seaweeds market growth. The drooping demand for seaweed as a raw material resulted in immense losses for the commercial seaweed market. The governments across the globe have imposed a serious lockdown that has caused a short-term increase in the growing demand for seaweed from end-users. The growing significance of healthy foods during the sudden eruption has served well for the growth of the commercial seaweed market and it is used among the surplus of healthy foods.