Table of Contents
Overview
New York, NY – September 22, 2025 – The Global Microalgae-Based Aquafeed Market is projected to reach USD 513.5 million by 2034, rising from USD 251.5 million in 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 7.4% between 2025 and 2034. Within this, Asia-Pacific accounts for 37.9% of the market share, valued at USD 95.3 million, reflecting the region’s strong focus on sustainable aquaculture practices.
Microalgae-based aquafeed refers to fish and shrimp feed formulated with microalgae as a core ingredient, reducing reliance on traditional sources like fishmeal or soy. Microalgae are nutrient-dense organisms, rich in proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and natural pigments that support growth, immunity, and coloration in aquaculture species.
This market represents the growing global trade of algae-enriched feed, driven by the need for sustainable protein alternatives and the nutritional benefits of algae-derived products. With concerns over declining fishmeal supplies and the environmental footprint of soy, microalgae offer a renewable, scalable, and resource-efficient solution. Their cultivation does not compete with farmland or freshwater use, making them an attractive alternative.
Startups and innovators are increasingly shaping the sector. For example, Latvia-based SpirulinaNord recently secured €600,000 to expand its spirulina-based products, while France’s Edonia raised €2 million to develop plant-based ingredients from microalgae. Additionally, a climate-tech startup raised $5.2 million to advance sunlight-powered, carbon-negative proteins, underlining the industry’s focus on innovation and sustainability.
Consumer demand is also playing a pivotal role, as awareness grows around the nutritional value of sustainably farmed seafood. Microalgae, with their natural omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, improve the quality of fish and shrimp, strengthening the case for adoption and fueling steady market growth.
Key Takeaways
- The Global Microalgae-Based Aquafeed Market is expected to be worth around USD 513.5 million by 2034, up from USD 251.5 million in 2024, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2025 to 2034.
- In 2024, Spirulina captured 38.3% in the microalgae-based aquafeed market, reflecting strong nutritional demand.
- Fish dominated the microalgae-based aquafeed market with a 58.9% share, highlighting its essential role in aquaculture feed.
- The 37.9% share in Asia-Pacific, worth USD 95.3 Mn, highlights strong aquaculture feed adoption.
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Report Scope
| Report Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Market Value (2024) | USD 251.5 Million |
| Forecast Revenue (2034) | USD 513.5 Million |
| CAGR (2025-2034) | 7.4% |
| Segments Covered | By Species (Spirulina, Chlorella, Nannochloropsis, Isochrysis, Others), By Aquatic Animal (Fish, Mollusks, Crustaceans, Others) |
| Competitive Landscape | A4F Algae for the future, Cellana Inc., Corbion N.V., Evergen Resources, Koninklijke DSM N.V., The Archer-Daniels-Midland Company |
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Key Market Segments
By Species Analysis
In 2024, Spirulina commanded a 38.3% share of the Microalgae-Based Aquafeed Market, leading the By Species segment. Renowned for its nutrient-rich profile, Spirulina provides high levels of proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, and pigments like beta-carotene and phycocyanin. Its use in aquafeed enhances fish and shrimp growth, boosts immunity, and improves coloration, making it a top choice for aquaculture producers prioritizing productivity and quality.
Spirulina’s dominance stems from its scalability in controlled cultivation systems, offering a sustainable alternative to fishmeal with minimal environmental impact. Its widespread adoption by feed manufacturers and aquaculture farms underscores its reliability and alignment with global sustainability trends. As seafood demand grows, Spirulina’s nutritional benefits and eco-friendly production are poised to maintain its leadership in the microalgae-based aquafeed market.
By Aquatic Animal Analysis
Fish led the Microalgae-Based Aquafeed Market in 2024, holding a 58.9% share in the By Aquatic Animal segment. The surge in global fish consumption drives aquaculture’s reliance on microalgae-based feed, which delivers critical nutrients like high-quality proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and natural pigments. These enhance fish growth, disease resistance, and product quality, making microalgae a preferred feed option.
With fish farming constituting the largest share of global aquaculture production, microalgae such as Spirulina and Chlorella are increasingly used to replace or supplement fishmeal, easing pressure on marine resources while ensuring a stable feed supply. As global fish demand continues to rise, microalgae-based feed’s role in sustainable fish farming is expected to solidify, maintaining fish as the dominant segment.
Regional Analysis
In 2024, Asia-Pacific led the Microalgae-Based Aquafeed Market with a 37.9% share, valued at USD 95.3 million. The region’s dominance is driven by its robust aquaculture industry, particularly in China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia, which are global leaders in fish and shrimp production. Rising seafood demand, fueled by a growing population and middle class, alongside government support for sustainable aquaculture, has spurred the adoption of microalgae-based feed as an eco-friendly fishmeal alternative.
North America and Europe are also advancing, driven by demand for sustainable seafood and feed technology innovations. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America are seeing gradual adoption as awareness of resource-efficient practices grows. However, Asia-Pacific’s large-scale production and supportive policies ensure its continued leadership in the global microalgae-based aquafeed market.
Top Use Cases
- Larval and Juvenile Feed for Fish and Shellfish: Microalgae serve as live food for young fish and shellfish, providing tiny, nutrient-packed particles that match their small mouths and digestive needs. This use case boosts early survival rates and healthy development by delivering essential proteins, fats, and vitamins, helping hatcheries produce stronger juveniles ready for grow-out stages in sustainable farming.
- Sustainable Replacement for Traditional Fishmeal: Farmers mix microalgae into adult fish diets to cut down on fishmeal from wild catches, easing pressure on ocean stocks. Packed with balanced amino acids and lipids, it supports steady growth and fillet quality without harming the environment, making it a smart swap for eco-friendly aquaculture operations worldwide.
- Health Booster for Immunity and Disease Resistance: Adding microalgae to feeds enhances fish and shrimp defenses against infections through natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds. This application reduces antibiotic use, promotes faster recovery from stress, and improves overall vitality, allowing farms to maintain healthier stocks in crowded pens with fewer losses.
- Natural Pigment Enhancer for Salmon and Shrimp: Microalgae like those rich in astaxanthin give farmed salmon and shrimp their appealing pink hue without synthetic dyes. This use case improves market value by mimicking wild colors, while also adding omega-3s for better flesh quality, drawing buyers who prefer natural, vibrant seafood products.
- Omega-3 Enrichment for Premium Seafood: Blending microalgae oils into feeds ramps up omega-3 levels in fish fillets, creating heart-healthy products for consumers. Ideal for species like trout and sea bream, it turns standard farm-raised fish into nutrient superstars, meeting rising demand for functional foods that support human wellness without extra processing.
Recent Developments
1. A4F – Algae for Future
A4F is advancing industrial-scale algae production technology, crucial for affordable aquafeed ingredients. Their recent focus is on integrating novel biorefinery processes to co-produce omega-3-rich algal oil and a protein-rich biomass meal from various algal strains. This approach aims to offer a complete, sustainable alternative to fishmeal and fish oil, supporting the aquaculture industry’s move towards greater resource independence.
2. Cellana Inc.
Cellana is scaling its ReNew Feed portfolio, produced from marine microalgae grown at its Kona demonstration facility. Their recent work emphasizes the high-value nutritional profile of its algal meal, rich in proteins and omega-3s (DHA and EPA). The company is focused on commercial partnerships and proving the efficacy of its ingredients in replacing traditional marine-based components in feeds for salmon, shrimp, and other high-value species.
3. Corbion N.V.
Corbion, a leader in algal ingredients, continues to expand its AlgaPrime DHA production. This sustainable, high-potency omega-3 oil is directly targeted at replacing fish oil in aquafeeds. A key recent development is its proven success in commercial aquaculture farms, demonstrating enhanced fish growth and health while reducing the industry’s reliance on wild-caught fish. They focus on strategic supply agreements with major feed producers.
4. Evergen Resources
While historically focused on anaerobic digestion, Evergen’s connection to this sector is through its parent company, Australian Future Energy (AFE), which is developing an integrated algae and bioenergy project. The proposed concept aims to cultivate microalgae for biomass, which could be processed into aquafeed ingredients, utilizing CO2 from industrial sources. This represents a forward-looking, circular economy approach to producing sustainable feed inputs.
5. Koninklijke DSM N.V.
DSM leverages its algal oil product, life sDHA, within its broader sustainability platform, Veramaris. A major recent development is the successful scaling and market penetration of Veramaris algal oil, which provides EPA & DHA. DSM actively promotes its use to eliminate the fish-in-fish-out ratio in salmon farming. They continue investing in capacity and partnerships to make this a mainstream solution for the industry.
Conclusion
Microalgae-Based Aquafeed as a game-changer for the aquaculture world, blending smart nutrition with green practices to feed our growing love for seafood. It steps in as a fresh alternative to old-school feeds, cutting down on wild fish use while pumping up animal health, growth, and tasty results. With farms chasing cleaner ways to operate amid tougher eco-rules and picky eaters, this ingredient fits right in, promising steadier supplies, happier fish, and a lighter touch on the planet.
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