Seaweed Snacks Global Market Report 2025

The seaweed snacks market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.83 billion in 2024 to $2.01 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the rise in Asian cuisine popularity, increasing awareness of seaweed’s nutritional value, rising consumer interest in low-calorie foods, growing focus on personal wellness, and surging popularity of vegan-friendly snacks.

The seaweed snacks market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to " $2.92 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expanding retail distribution channels, growing innovation in seaweed product formulations, increasing investment in sustainable food sources, rising popularity of functional superfoods, and growing influence of social media food trends. Major trends in the forecast period include advancement in seaweed farming technologies, advanced packaging for extended shelf life, development of fusion flavor profiles, innovation in snack formats such as puffs and chips, and development of clean-label seaweed products.

The forecast of 9.9% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.2% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by raising prices for seaweed sheets from Japan and China, reducing affordability for health-conscious consumers.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The expanding vegan and vegetarian population is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the seaweed snacks market. These individuals avoid animal products for health, ethical, or environmental reasons. The rise in vegan and vegetarian numbers is primarily driven by health-conscious choices, as more people adopt plant-based diets to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall health. This growing demographic is boosting the demand for seaweed snacks, which offer a plant-based, nutrient-dense alternative to traditional snacks. With a strong preference for clean-label, sustainable, and low-calorie options, consumers are increasingly attracted to the convenience and taste of seaweed snacks. For example, in January 2024, Finder, a U.S.-based personal finance comparison site, reported that about 2.5 million people in the UK are vegan, representing 4.7% of the population, an increase from 1.4 million (2.5%) in 2023. This indicates a rise of 1.1 million vegans in the UK from 2023 to 2024. As a result, the growing vegan and vegetarian population is driving the expansion of the seaweed snacks market.

Leading companies in the seaweed snacks market are concentrating on creating innovative products, such as roasted seaweed snacks, to meet changing consumer demands for healthier, tastier, and more convenient snack options. Roasted seaweed snacks are thin, crispy sheets made from edible seaweed, gently roasted and often seasoned with a variety of flavors. These snacks are prized for their savory umami taste, low calorie content, and strong nutritional benefits, providing a rich source of iodine, fiber, and key vitamins including A, C, and K. For example, in October 2024, Gimme Seaweed, an organic seaweed snack brand based in the U.S., introduced its new Korean BBQ roasted seaweed snacks. This product combines traditional Korean BBQ flavors, including garlic, pepper, soy sauce, and miso, with gochujang, offering a balanced sweet, salty, and spicy taste that reflects the founder’s Korean heritage and the brand’s South Korean roots.

In September 2023, Aquascot, a UK-based goods and services company, acquired Shore Seaweed for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is designed to boost product innovation, strengthen sustainable sourcing practices, and address the increasing demand for healthy seaweed-based snacks. It reflects Aquascot’s dedication to sustainability and providing nutritious food options. Shore Seaweed is a UK-based producer of seaweed snacks including seaweed chips.

Seaweed snacks are crispy, light treats made from edible seaweed, typically roasted and gently seasoned with salt or spices. Known for their savory, umami flavor, they have become a popular choice as a healthy substitute for traditional chips. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and iodine, seaweed snacks provide a convenient and nutritious snack option.

The primary types of seaweed snacks include roasted seaweed snacks, seasoned seaweed snacks, seaweed chips, seaweed crackers, and others. Roasted seaweed snacks are thin, crispy sheets that are appreciated for their simplicity, health benefits, and satisfying crunch. These snacks are made from various types of seaweed, including red, brown, and green varieties, and come in a range of flavors, such as original, salty, sweet, spicy, barbecue, and more. They are distributed through multiple channels, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retail, specialty stores, and others. These snacks find applications in various sectors, including food and beverages, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, and medical uses.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid implementation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a notable impact on the food and beverage sector. Rising costs for imported ingredients such as olive oil, cheese, and tropical fruits are pressuring food manufacturers to either reformulate their products or absorb reduced profit margins. Beverage producers are similarly affected, with tariffs on aluminum cans driving up packaging costs. Meanwhile, retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports like soybeans and pork are disrupting farm-to-processor supply chains. In response, companies are adjusting recipes, increasing local sourcing, and using commodity hedging strategies to manage price volatility.

The seaweed snacks market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides seaweed snacks market statistics, including the seaweed snacks industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the seaweed snacks market share, detailed seaweed snacks market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the seaweed snacks industry. This seaweed snacks market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Major players in the seaweed snacks market are CJ CheilJedang Corp., Taokaenoi Food and Marketing Public Company Limited, Eden Foods Inc., Roland Foods LLC, Gimme Seaweed, 12 Tides Inc., Annie Chun’s Inc., Seamore BV, Sewha Seafood Co. Ltd., Blue Evolution Inc., Wooltari USA Inc., Kimnori USA Inc., Shore The Scottish Seaweed Company Ltd., Nora Snacks Inc., Maine Coast Sea Vegetables Inc., SeaSnax LLC, Ocean’s Halo, Seaweed Agogo LLC, Chung-Hsiang Foods, and Wang Globalnet.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the seaweed snacks market in 2024. The regions covered in seaweed snacks report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the seaweed snacks market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The seaweed snacks market consists of sales of seaweed popcorn, seaweed jerky, seaweed rice crackers, and seaweed trail mix. 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 and 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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