Seafood Extracts - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The seafood extracts market size is projected to be USD 10.30 billion in 2025, USD 10.98 billion in 2026, and reach USD 15.13 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.62% from 2026 to 2031. This report is Segmented by Source (Fish Extracts, Crustacean Extracts, Mollusc Extracts, Seaweed and Algae Extracts), Form (Liquid, Powder), Application (Food and Beverage, Nutraceuticals/Dietary Supplements, Animal Feed and Aquafeed, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics and Personal Care), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and More). Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Global Seafood Extracts Market Trends and Insights

Rising demand for natural and clean-label ingredients

Retailers in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia now merchandise over 90% of their chilled and ambient seafood under Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) seals, reflecting a strong consumer demand for sustainably and transparently sourced ingredients. This shift aligns with the growing emphasis on environmental responsibility and traceability in the seafood market. Food manufacturers are increasingly adopting marine extracts as natural alternatives to synthetic flavor enhancers. These extracts not only deliver the desired umami flavor but also comply with front-of-pack labeling requirements, catering to health-conscious consumers. In 2024, Thailand exported 833,000 tonnes of canned seafood, a significant 19.7% year-on-year increase. This growth is driven by the rising demand for all-natural formulations, particularly among European private-label brands. The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) 2025 guideline, which mandates the disclosure of processing aids, is further accelerating the adoption of enzyme-based clarification methods over chemical solvents. This regulatory push is expected to enhance product transparency and safety standards.

Sustainable sourcing certifications like MSC attracting eco-conscious buyers

Certification schemes have become indispensable for premium-tier extract suppliers. MSC-certified fisheries now account for over 18% of global wild-capture volume. Brands sourcing from these fisheries report 12-15% higher retail velocities in North America and Europe compared to non-certified counterparts. Cargill Aqua Nutrition, in its 2025 Impact Report, disclosed that 90.5% of its marine ingredients originated from MSC-certified sources or fishery-improvement projects. Additionally, its Norwegian mills achieved 100% renewable energy operation in 2024, setting a benchmark that smaller players struggle to match. Asia supplies 30-35% of global fishmeal and fish oil, according to the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation, but only a small fraction carries third-party sustainability labels. This has created a divided market where certified Peruvian anchovy and Norwegian herring command USD 200-300 per tonne premiums over uncertified Southeast Asian equivalents. Regulatory oversight is tightening. In 2024, the U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program expanded its species coverage, while the European Union's due diligence regulation for deforestation-free products is driving scrutiny of marine supply chains. By 2028, traceability is expected to become a standard requirement rather than a differentiator.

Competition from Synthetic and Alternative Ingredients

In 2024, the F3 (Future of Fish Feed) challenge incentivized startups to develop krill-replacement ingredients using microalgae and yeast fermentation, with several achieving omega-3 profiles within 10% of wild krill oils. Mycoprotein and precision-fermentation platforms attracted significant venture capital, with multiple startups securing Series B funding in 2025 to scale production of heme proteins and long-chain fatty acids. These innovations replicate the umami and mouthfeel of fish extracts without marine feedstocks. Brands targeting vegan and flexitarian consumers increasingly favor these alternatives, with such consumers comprising 23% of U.S. supplement buyers in 2025, up from 18% in 2023. Synthetic astaxanthin and beta-carotene, produced via chemical synthesis or microbial fermentation, are 30-40% cheaper per kilogram than natural marine-derived counterparts, pressuring margins for extract suppliers lacking scale or vertical integration. This restraint's -0.6% drag on CAGR reflects direct substitution in cost-sensitive applications and the strategic risk of regulatory approval for fermentation-derived omega-3 oils disrupting the marine-extract value proposition.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Health benefits from omega-3 fatty acids, peptides, and antioxidants for supplements and functional foods
• Expansion in cosmetics for collagen-boosting, anti-aging skincare formulations
• Stringent regulatory compliance and food safety standards

For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.

Segment Analysis

In 2025, fish extracts led the market, contributing 39.82% of revenue. This growth was driven by established streams from tuna, anchovy, and whitefish by-products, essential for producing fishmeal, fish oil, and collagen peptides. In March 2026, Maruha Nichiro rebranded its next-generation protein unit to "Umios" and unveiled 45 marine-derived product launches, emphasizing the industry's focus on maximizing value from fish frames, heads, and skins previously used for low-value rendering. Thai Union's USD 30 million marine collagen facility, operational since 2025 with a 1,500-tonne annual capacity, highlights vertical integration to capture margins in high-value bioactive segments. Peru's anchovy biomass reached 10.92 million tonnes in 2025, with a 3-million-tonne fishing quota ensuring stable feedstock for fishmeal and omega-3 concentrate production. Chile's 2024 landings surged 53%, leading to a 2025 quota of 710,000 tonnes, reflecting improved stock management and favorable oceanographic conditions.

Seaweed and algae extracts are projected to grow at a 7.05% CAGR from 2026 to 2031, the fastest among all segments, driven by offshore cultivation that bypasses wild-harvest quotas and ensures consistent quality. Biorefinery techniques unlock multiple revenue streams from a single kelp or spirulina harvest, including protein isolates for food fortification, carrageenan and agar for gelling, phycocyanin for natural coloring, and residual biomass for animal feed or biofuel. In 2024, China's fishmeal imports reached 1.9 million tonnes, with consumption expected to rise 20% in 2025 as aquaculture operators increasingly substitute fishmeal with seaweed-derived proteins to reduce feed costs and improve sustainability metrics. Data from the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation's Asia Summit revealed Asia supplies 30-35% of global fishmeal and fish oil. However, seaweed cultivation is expanding faster than wild-fish landings, particularly in Indonesia, the Philippines, and South Korea, where government subsidies cover 40-60% of offshore-farm capital costs. Crustacean and mollusc extracts, valued for their high astaxanthin and taurine content, face supply constraints as shrimp and crab by-products are increasingly diverted to chitin and chitosan production for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Source
  • Fish Extracts
  • Crustacean Extracts
  • Mollusc Extracts
  • Seaweed and Algae Extracts
• By Form
  • Liquid
  • Powder
• By Application
  • Food and Beverage
  • Nutraceuticals/Dietary Supplements
  • Animal Feed and Aquafeed
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Cosmetics and Personal Care
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • Rest of North America
  • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Russia
    • Sweden
    • Belgium
    • Poland
    • Netherlands
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • Thailand
    • Singapore
    • Indonesia
    • South Korea
    • Australia
    • New Zealand
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Colombia
    • Chile
    • Rest of South America
  • Middle East and Africa
    • United Arab Emirates
    • South Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Nigeria
    • Egypt
    • Morocco
    • Turkey
    • Rest of Middle East and Africa

Geography Analysis

North America maintained 32.33% market share in 2025, supported by established nutraceutical distribution networks and stringent quality standards that favor premium marine extract products. The region's regulatory framework, including FDA oversight and NOAA inspection programs, creates barriers to entry while ensuring product quality that commands price premiums in global markets. Consumer willingness to pay for natural and sustainable ingredients drives demand for certified marine extracts, particularly in functional food and dietary supplement applications. The region's technological leadership in extraction methods and bioactive research maintains competitive advantages despite higher production costs compared to Asian alternatives.

Asia-Pacific demonstrates the strongest growth momentum with 8.19% CAGR through 2031, driven by expanding aquaculture infrastructure and rising consumer awareness of marine bioactives' health benefits. China's seafood import surge to 4.6 million metric tons valued at USD 18.8 billion in 2023 reflects growing domestic demand that supports extract production. Japan's IFIA/HFE exhibition in 2024 showcased significant innovation in marine-derived functional ingredients, with 377 exhibitors highlighting the region's technological advancement. The region's cost advantages in seaweed cultivation and fish processing create competitive pricing for bulk marine extracts, while growing domestic consumption reduces export dependency.

Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa contribute smaller shares but have distinct growth drivers. In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority's 2025 guidance mandates full disclosure of processing aids in marine-derived ingredients, prompting suppliers to adopt enzyme-based clarification over chemical solvents. Marine Stewardship Council data reveals UK retail sales of MSC-certified seafood reached GBP 1.7 billion in 2024, while Australian sales totaled AUD 400 million, reflecting consumer preference for traceable provenance. South America's growth relies on Peru's anchovy biomass, recorded at 10.92 million tonnes in 2025 with a 3-million-tonne fishing quota, and Chile's 53% rise in 2024 landings, supported by a 710,000-tonne quota for 2025. These factors ensure stable feedstock for fishmeal and omega-3 concentrate production. In the Middle East and Africa, rising disposable incomes and urbanization drive demand for fortified foods and supplements, though infrastructure gaps and limited cold-chain logistics pose near-term challenges.

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Thai Union Group PCL
• Symrise (Diana Food)
• Nikken Foods
• Maruha Nichiro Corp.
• Firmenich SA
• Seafood Flavours A/S
• Haco Ltd.
• BD Foods Ltd.
• Man Trust Co.
• OceanPro Industries
• Koyo Shinyaku Co.
• CJ CheilJedang
• Cargill Marine Protein
• ScanBio Marine Group
• Hofseth BioCare
• BioOregon Protein
• Omega Protein Corp.
• TASA (Tecnologica de Alimentos)
• Austevoll Seafood
• Shenzhen Nisshin Oillio

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support