Algae Protein Market Report 2026

The algae protein market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $4.27 billion in 2025 to $4.72 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising interest in plant-based nutrition, early commercialization of spirulina and chlorella products, growth of dietary supplement consumption, expansion of algae farming techniques, increasing awareness of sustainable food sources.

The algae protein market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.07 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing investments in alternative protein production, rising demand for clean-label nutrition products, expansion of algae protein use in animal feed, increasing focus on low-carbon food ingredients, technological advancements in algae processing. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of algae-based protein alternatives, rising demand for sustainable protein sources, growing use of algae protein in functional foods, expansion of algae-based nutraceutical applications, enhanced focus on scalable algae cultivation.

The rapid increase in the vegan population is expected to drive the growth of the algae protein market in the coming years. The vegan population consists of individuals who adopt a diet and lifestyle that eliminate all animal-derived products and by-products. The expansion of the vegan population is driven by rising awareness of animal welfare, perceived health benefits, environmental sustainability concerns, and the growing availability of plant-based food alternatives. Algae protein provides a sustainable and nutrient-dense plant-based protein source that aligns well with the dietary needs of the vegan population. For example, in April 2024, the Good Food Institute (GFI), a US-based nonprofit organization dedicated to alternative protein research, reported that US retail sales of plant-based foods reached $8.1 billion in 2023, and 81% of households that purchased plant-based foods during the year made repeat purchases. Consequently, the expanding vegan population is supporting the growth of the algae protein market.

Leading companies operating in the algae protein market are concentrating on developing innovative solutions, such as high-protein microalgae concentrates produced through hybrid light-assisted fermentation, to improve sustainability, nutritional quality, and formulation versatility in plant-based foods as well as dairy and meat alternatives. Hybrid light-assisted fermentation is a production approach that combines sugar-based fermentation with controlled light exposure in indoor bioreactors, enabling microalgae growth through both photosynthesis and fermentation to extract concentrated protein. For instance, in June 2024, Brevel, Ltd., an Israel-based food technology company focused on microalgae protein, launched a commercial-scale production facility for a microalgae protein concentrate intended for use in plant-based dairy and meat alternatives. The product is a white, neutral-tasting protein powder containing 60-70% protein, a complete amino acid profile, and a non-GMO composition. This microalgae protein concentrate enhances sustainability, nutritional density, and sensory and functional performance in plant-based applications while supporting industrial-scale production and simplified formulation without compromising flavor or color.

In November 2025, Newrest Group International, a France-based catering and foodservice company, formed a partnership with Edonia to integrate Edonia’s spirulina-based microalgae protein into its offerings. Through this collaboration, Newrest aims to broaden its institutional foodservice portfolio with minimally processed, nutrient-rich microalgae proteins while contributing to the transition away from conventional soy-based proteins toward more sustainable and innovative alternatives in large-scale catering operations. Edonia is a France-based food technology company specializing in converting microalgae, particularly spirulina, into minimally processed, protein-rich textured ingredients.

Major companies operating in the algae protein market are Roquette Freres SA, E.I.D-Parry Limited, Corbion NV, Now Health Group Inc., Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems, Far East Bio-Tec Co. Ltd., Cyanotech Corporation, Heliae Development LLC, Earthrise Nutritionals LLC, Algenol Biotech LLC, Algenuity Limited, Triton Algae Innovations Ltd., AlgaEnergy, Prairie Naturals, ALGAMA Foods, Qualitas Health Inc., ENERGY bits Inc., Vimergy LLC, AlgoSource SA, Aliga ApS, Pond Technologies Holdings Inc., Seagrass Tech Private Limited, EnerGaia Pte Ltd., GreenCoLab, Phycom BV.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the algae protein market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the algae protein market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the algae protein market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The algae protein market consists of sales of protein powders, supplements, food additives, and energy bars. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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