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Summary
The global seaweed market, estimated at $799 million in 2022, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% to reach $1,275.65 million by 2029. Asia dominates production with over 90%, while Europe contributes a mere 1%. France stands as Europe's second-largest producer with approximately 70,000 tonnes annually, yet it relies heavily on imports, primarily from Ireland and Norway.
The demand for seaweed is driven by its protein content and environmental sustainability, aligning with the growing vegetarian and flexitarian diets within France, where 10 million people identify as flexitarian and nearly a million follow a meat-free diet as of 2020. Seaweed finds diverse applications in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and even as a potential biofuel. French cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries utilize seaweed for its therapeutic properties, significantly contributing to the high value-added market.
While wild seaweed cultivation prevails, France aims to bolster algaculture through its Aquaculture Plan 2022-2027, intending to triple production by 2027 amidst technological advancements and regulatory development to support industry growth.
Emerging Appetite for Seaweed in a Health-Conscious Market
In the contemporary dietary landscape of the examined country, there is a burgeoning trend in the consumption of seaweed. This marine vegetable is not only becoming a favorite in human diets, particularly for its health benefits, but is also finding extensive use in industries such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. With a rich protein content with averages around 20% and can go up to 70% in certain varieties like spirulina, seaweed aligns well with the rise in vegetarian and vegan diets. It stands as an eco-friendly alternative, offering an impressive nutrient portfolio while requiring minimal land resources for cultivation.
There is an over-reliance on imports, predominantly from neighboring European countries, to meet the industrial demand, especially in non-food sectors. In terms of consumer trends, approximately 24% of the nation's population, between 15 to 20 million people, follow a flexitarian diet, with nearly a million opting for a completely meat-free lifestyle. This shift has spurred the growth of the dietary supplements market by nearly 40% between 2017 and 2021.
Seaweed-based products are now not only limited to traditional Asian cuisines but also incorporated into Westernized products like tartars and infused oils. Cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries see France capitalizing on high value-added processing activities. The extraction of valuable active ingredients from seaweeds, which is a specialization of France, caters to both local heavyweight brands and commands significant international demand. The current market structure, while still primarily dependent on wild seaweed harvests, sees spirulina take the lead in the small but expanding seaweed farming sector.
While costs remain high for cultivated seaweed at nearly 100 times the expense of wild seaweed, the nation is investing in a national aquaculture plan aiming to triple production by 2027. Despite a sophisticated demand landscape across food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors, regulations are stringently in place to ensure only 25 types of authorized seaweed enter the consumer market, adhering to strict European legislations on the quality and safety of this marine bounty.
In conclusion, as the country sails towards a future with higher dietary demands and environmental challenges, seaweed offers a multifaceted solution.
Key Players in the Dynamic Seaweed Market
The seaweed market, with its diverse applications from culinary staples to innovative industrial products, boasts several key players who are at the forefront of harnessing the benefits of both microalgae and macroalgae. Here's a closer look at some of the most notable companies driving growth and innovation within this arena:
- Cyanotech
Specializing in the cultivation and production of microalgae for nutritional supplements, Cyanotech has positioned itself as a leader in Spirulina and Astaxanthin products. Operating in a sustainable, biosecure culture facility, the company is dedicated to producing high-quality, non-GMO microalgae products.
- Far East Microalga Industry
Distinguished by their expertise in microalgae cultivation, Far East Microalga Industry taps into the growing demand for dietary supplements. They focus on meeting rigorous quality standards and offering a variety of microalgae-based products that cater to health-conscious consumers.
- Algenol Biotech
An innovator in algal biotechnology, Algenol Biotech explores the potential of algae not only as a food source but also as a sustainable biofuel. Their cutting-edge technology serves to meet energy needs while minimizing environmental impact.
- Euglena Co.
Euglena Co. has made a name for itself as a biotech company specializing in the production of Euglena, a microalgae with potential in both the health food industry and renewable biofuel sector. They stand out for their environmentally conscious approach and pursuit of sustainable solutions.
- Cargill
As a global giant, Cargill has taken on seaweed as part of its expansive portfolio. They offer a range of hydrocolloid products derived from seaweed that are instrumental in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications, showcasing the versatility of seaweed's uses.
- Roquette
A pioneer in plant-based ingredients, Roquette has expanded into the realm of algae for health, nutrition, and cosmetics applications. With an eye on innovation, Roquette provides tailored solutions that utilize the natural benefits of seaweed.
- Sun Chlorella
Focusing on the nutrient-rich microalgae Chlorella, Sun Chlorella has made significant strides in offering superior dietary supplements. Renowned for their high-quality processing methods, they offer products that are designed to boost the immune system and overall health.
- Cellana Cellana, with its commitment to sustainability and innovation, has embarked on the production of renewable fuels, animal feed, and Omega-3 nutritional oils from microalgae.
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Inforamtion
- Number of pages : 30 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update : 20/03/2023
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and scope of study
Consumed for centuries in Asia, seaweed is gradually making its way into the European diet. In terms of volume, 74% of seaweed consumption is for human consumption, but it is also used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, and more marginally as a biofuel. Macroalgae (with sea lettuce in first place) make up the majority of the market, followed by microalgae used increasingly as dietary supplements (spirulina, chlorella).
The seaweed market is booming, particularly in countries previously reluctant to consume this type of food, with growth set to continue at 6.9% a year until 2029. Production is still largely in Asia (over 90% of global production, compared with 1% in Europe).
Although France is Europe's 2nd largest producer after Norway, it remains a small consumer, mainly of micro-algae as a food supplement. Microalgae production is supported by a number of leading companies in the sector in Europe: Algae, whose sales have increased 4-fold over the last decade; AlgaWell and GreenSea, as well as more local companies (Bord à Bord and Marinoë in Brittany).
The trend is upward for this still-under-exploited foodstuff, thanks to its therapeutic benefits (notably for cardiovascular disease) and its advantages for vegetarian and vegan diets. Seaweed is rich in protein and low in calories (around 20% protein on average, and up to 70% in the case of spirulina), making up for the intake normally provided by foods of animal origin.
1.2 The global algae market
The global algae market will be worth $*** million in ****, for ** million tonnes of harvested algae, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of *.*% to reach $*,***.** million in **** [***].
Growth of the global algae market over the period ****-**** (***) World, ****-****, in millions of dollars
The vast majority of algae production takes ...
1.3 The national seaweed market
With a production of around **,*** tonnes of seaweed per year, France is Europe's second largest seaweed producer , behind Norway (***)[***].
In France, over **% of seaweed cultivation takes place in wild seaweed beds (***) and is limited by technological and regulatory constraints.
The sales (***)[***].
Seaweed sales **** = **∗**,*** + *,***∗*** = €*,***,***
We can therefore estimate seaweed sales at €*,***,*** per ...
1.4 Over-reliance on imports
Imported seaweed can be divided into two customs code categories: code ****** for seaweed suitable for human consumption, and code ****** for seaweed unsuitable for human consumption, i.e. intended solely for the processing industry.
From this, we can use the UN Comtrade database to observe France's trade balance in this sector.
In ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 Strong demand from processing industries
**% of gelling and thickening agents on the market are seaweed-based: **% carrageenans, **% agars and **% alginates[***]. They are marketed as food additives: E***, E*** and E*** respectively, and are used both in the food industry (***).
Three seaweed extracts make up **% of the epai
The use of seaweed in the Frenchcosmetics industry is a ...
2.2 Protein-rich plants for the diet
Feeding a growing population with limited space is one of the most important challenges of the coming decades. The oceans, which make up **% of our planet, appear to be one of the ways of meeting the growing demand for food, whereas today only *% of our food comes from them. [***]
The consumption ...
2.3 Seaweed in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals: a niche market.
Seaweed is used in many ways in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries: as excipients, active ingredients and additives.
In France, ** types of algae are authorized for cosmetic use[***]. Although the incorporation of algae in this industry has been going on since the ****s, companies' quest for innovation in order to stand ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Structuring the seaweed industry
Below is a simplified value chain for the French algae market:
Source: ****
Seaweed is produced from wild seaweed or by seaweed farming. In the first case, seaweed is harvested offshore by boat or on the shore at low tide. Wild cultivation is the preferred method in France, due to the wealth ...
3.2 Mostly wild seaweed production
Of the just over **,*** tonnes of seaweed produced annually in France, almost all comes from wild seaweed cultivation, with seaweed farming accounting for just *** tonnes. Let's take a look at the specific characteristics of each[***].
Breakdown of seaweed production by cultivation method in France (***) France, ****, in Source: wild cultivation:
Wild cultivation ...
3.3 Algae distribution
There are several online sites specializing in the distribution of edible seaweed. They are sold in their pure processed forms (***).
Here are a few examples of specialized online sites: Algues-Alimentaires, Neptune éléments, Algues armoriques and Le quotidien au naturel.
All these specialized sites emphasize the local origin of products. Le ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Cultured seaweed is a hundred times more expensive than wild seaweed
In ****, the price of cultivated seaweed will be a hundred times higher than that of wild seaweed: *,*** euros per tonne of cultivated seaweed versus ** euros per tonne of wild seaweed [***].
Difference in seaweed prices according to harvesting methods (***) France, ****, in euros Source: ****
This price difference is explained by a growing demand ...
4.2 Seaweed in all its forms
The range of edible algae
The most widespread types of seaweed for food consumption in raw form are : Wakame, Nori, Sea Spaghetti, Royal Kombu, Dulce, Sea Lettuce. These are all macro-algae.
The edible seaweeds we find most frequently in supermarkets are dehydrated leaves (***), seaweed tartars and spirulina powder.
We're going to ...
4.3 Seaweed at the heart of innovation
Innovations in food
In October ****, start-up Zalg won the SIAL Paris innovation prize for its pan-fried seaweed, marking its ambition to "put seaweed at the heart of the plate", until then marketed mainly as condiments (***). Algama, which raised ** million euros in January ****[***].
Other innovations
In addition to their use in food ...
5 Regulations
5.1 Current regulations
French regulations on algae production cover :
Authorized seaweed species The quality of the water in which the algae are grown (***)
Currently, ** types of algae are authorized for human consumption (***) No. ***/** of the European Parliament and of the Council [***]. Other algae are only authorized for use in food supplements.
The following is ...
5.2 France bets on algoculture
France is adopting a national strategy to encourage the development of seaweed farming over the period ****-**** through its Aquaculture Plan ****-****. The goal is to triple algae production by ****. [***].
The main stages of this plan are
administrative simplification writing sanitary standards Supporting Research & Innovation in the sector Promoting the economic ...
6 Positioning the players
6.1 Positioning the players
We can segment the players in the seaweed market into producers and processors, according to the following non-exhaustive list:
- Technature
- L'Oréal Groupe
- Estée Lauder
- Olmix
- Biocean
- JRS Marine Products
- Algaia
- Algama
- Eranova
- Algopack
- Cyanotech
- AlgaWell
- Gilbert Groupe
- Lessonia
- France Haliotis
- Vinpai
- Inalve
List of charts
- Global algae market growth 2019-2029
- Breakdown of demand for algae in France
- Composition of gelling and thickening agents on the market
- Seaweed harvested on board in Brest between 2012 and 2019
- Distribution of algae produced by algoculture in France in 2021
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Latest news
Green chemistry specialist Olmix strengthens its Plant Care division - 23/02/2024
- - Olmix is aiming for double-digit growth by 2024.
- - Olmix is located in Bréhan, Morbihan.
- - The Olmix group has 900 employees.
- - Olmix sales exceed 200 million euros.
- - Olmix was founded in 1995.
- - Olmix specializes in both the production and distribution of biosourced solutions and targets the seed treatment market.
- - Olmix operates in the European, Asian and South American markets.
L'Oréal becomes number one in luxury cosmetics and dethrones Estée Lauder - 11/02/2024
- 2023: the strongest year of sales growth in 20 years
- L'Oréal, the world leader in this sector, becomes number one in the prestige skincare, make-up and fragrance segment, sold in department stores and perfumeries. It dethrones the American Estée Lauder(Estée Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, Jo Malone, Frédéric Malle, Tom Ford...).
- sales of L'Oréal Luxe (Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent, Biotherm, Armani, Kiehl's, Helena Rubinstein...) rose by 4.5% in 2023 to 14.92 billion).
- L'Oréal has outperformed the luxury goods market for 13 years
- Total group sales 41.2 billion euros in 2023 (+ 11%).
- World leader in fragrances and skincare products.
- Comeback ofHelena Rubinstein, thebrand founded in the United States in the early 20th century and owned by L'Oréal since 1984
- In 2023, Helena Rubinstein exceeded one billion euros in sales.
- Sales have increased 10-fold in ten years.
- L'Oréal Luxe controls 32% of the prestige products market.
- Perfumes: 20% growth.
- Success of "La Vie est Belle", Valentino and Prada licensed fragrances (Paradoxe), Yves Saint Laurent's Libre, second best-selling fragrance for women in Europe.
- Good start for MYSLF
- The division dedicated to consumer products (L'Oréal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline...) has overtaken L'Oréal Luxe again
Another record year for L'Oréal - 09/02/2024
- -Cosmetics market growth in 2023: 8.5
- - Increase in L'Oréal sales in 2023: 7.6% (published), 11% (comparable data)
- - L'Oréal sales in 2023: 41.18 billion euros
- - Number of L'Oréal "billionaire" brands in 2023: 12
- - Growth of L'Oréal's consumer division in 2023: 8.2
- - L'Oréal consumer division sales in 2023: Over 15 billion euros
- - L'Oréal Paris sales in 2023: 7 billion euros
- - L'Oréal dermatological division sales in 2023: 6.4 billion euros
- - L'Oréal dermatological division growth in 2023: 25.5
- - Sales growth for L'Oréal's luxury division in 2023: 2% (organic)
- - L'Oréal luxury division sales in 2023: 14.9 billion euros
- - L'Oréal growth in Europe in 2023: 14% (published), including 9.2% in the year-end period
- - L'Oréal growth in the United States in 2023: 10%.
Cosmetics: Technature boosts production capacity - 22/11/2023
- Technature is an international benchmark for beauty masks.
- The SME is planning a third production site.
- The company employs 160 people, twenty of whom are R&D technicians.
- Tech-nature generates almost half of its €20 million sales internationally.
- Chairman Pierre Morvan plans to reach sales of 30 million euros by 2024.
Morbihan-based Olmix to market its biostimulant throughout Europe - 07/09/2023
- Agroptim Lagoon, produced by Olmix, has obtained recognition as a "PCF6 non-microbial biostimulant".
- This European standard was adopted in 2019 and came into force a year ago.
- Rapeseed trials show a yield increase of between 5% and 7%.
- On sunflower, the average gain is 13%.
- The net benefit for the farmer is currently between 60 and 80 euros per hectare for these two crops.
- The product is now authorized for sale in the 27 countries of the European Union.
- Olmix achieved sales of over €200 million, of which €150 million came from its animal nutrition, health and welfare business.
- Olmix employs some 650 people at its eight industrial sites.
Estée Lauder unable to keep pace with L'Oréal - 20/08/2023
- Estée Lauder saw sales fall by 10% to $15.9 billion in its offbeat 2022/2023 full year
- Estée Lauder acquired the Tom Ford brand for $2.3 billion.
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The seaweed market | France
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