“Some algae are a delicacy fit for the most honoured guests, even for the King himself.”

— Sze Teu (China, 600 BC)

Since prehistoric times, seaweed has been a staple food in China, Japan, and Korea. Commercial seaweed was first consumed in Japan in the 4th century and in China in the 6th century. Currently, China, Japan, and South Korea are the top consumers. As residents of these countries migrated to other parts of the world, demand for seaweed spread. Seaweed provides vitamins and nutrients such as calcium, sodium, potassium, iodine, iron, and zinc. Nori, the seaweed used to wrap sushi rolls, is also high in protein.

Today’s market size shows global commercial seafood revenues for 2019 and projected for 2027. Over the past 50 years, harvesting seaweed from natural sources has not been able to meet increasing demand. Nowadays, more than 90% of commercial seaweed is cultivated. In addition to human consumption, commercial seaweed is used as an animal feed additive, thickening and gelling agents for the cosmetics and food industries, fertilizer, and soil conditioner. It’s also used in beauty products such as scrubs, masks, and body wraps.

There are three types of commercial seaweed: red, brown, and green. In 2019, red seaweed comprised more than 50% of the market. Its varied uses along with its easy availability will drive its growth in the market. This type of seaweed is expected to have the highest compound annual growth rate through 2027. Nori is an example of red seaweed. Brown seaweed had a market share of more than 45% in 2019. This type of seafood is used as food and as raw materials for the extraction of hydrocolloid and alginate. Hydrocolloids and alginate gel are used for wound care. Alginate is also used as a cell carrier in tissue engineering. Kelp is a form of brown seaweed. Green seaweed is also used for food. Umibudo, also known as sea grapes, is a form of green seaweed that’s a staple food in Okinawan cuisine. 

In 2019, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for more than 60% of consumption. This region is expected to experience the fastest growth rate through 2027. Increased production and demand for commercial seafood for use in food, nutraceuticals, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, adhesives, and gels from China, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan will contribute to this growth. The market in Europe is expected to expand significantly due to increased cultivation in Ireland, France, and the United Kingdom. Growth in this region is also expected to come from high demand in the healthcare and food industries.

About 75% of commercial seaweed was used for human consumption in 2019. Animal feed claimed the second-largest share of the market. Processed commercial seaweed is used to improve the health of livestock. Agricultural uses had the third-largest market share. Producers, vendors, end-users, government organizations, and others encompass the market. Some leading global companies in this industry include Cargill Inc., Roullier Group, E.I. DuPont Nemours and Co., Biostadt India Ltd., and Compo GmbH Co.

Geographic reference: World
Year: 2019 and 2027
Market size: $5.9 billion and $11.9 billion, respectively
Sources: “Commercial Seaweeds Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Product (Brown Seaweeds, Red Seaweeds, Green Seaweeds), by Form (Liquid, Powdered, Flakes), by Application, by Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2020 – 2027,” Grand View Research Report Summary, April 2020 available online here; “Commercial Seaweeds Market Size Worth $11.9 Billion by 2027: Grand View Research, Inc.,” CISION PR Newswire, April 21, 2020 available online here; “Hydrocolloid,” ScienceDirect available online here; “Alginate,” ScienceDirect available online here; “Seaweed as Human Food,” The Seaweed Site: Information on Marine Algae available online here; Ole Mouritsen, “The Science of Seaweeds,” American Scientist, November-December 2013 available online here; Rachel Tan, “6 Most Common Varieties of Edible Seaweed,” Michelin Guide, June 12, 2019 available online here.
Image source: ivabalk, “sushi-food-roll-domestic-production-2314534,” Pixabay, May 15, 2017 available online here.