Table of Contents
Overview
New York, NY – September 11, 2025 – The Global Seaweed Fertilizers Market is projected to reach USD 3.6 billion by 2034, rising from USD 1.7 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 7.7% between 2025 and 2034. In 2024, North America contributed USD 0.7 billion, highlighting its role in sustainable fertilizer adoption. Seaweed fertilizers, derived from marine algae, are enriched with potassium, magnesium, nitrogen, trace minerals, amino acids, and growth hormones, making them an effective natural alternative to synthetics.
These eco-friendly formulations enhance soil health, microbial activity, and nutrient absorption, aligning with the global push for organic farming. Funding activities underscore growing investor interest—Cascadia Seaweed raised CAD 4 million, while also securing a USD 1.5 million investment from CICE, boosting innovation in sustainable agricultural inputs. Similarly, Carbonwave closed a USD 5 million Series A, reinforcing confidence in seaweed’s potential.
The market’s growth is further supported by population expansion and the rising need for high-yield farming solutions on limited arable land. Farmers are increasingly adopting seaweed fertilizers to balance productivity with soil sustainability. Beyond agriculture, the sector’s promise extends to wider applications, as shown when a seaweed-based bacon company raised USD 3 million, reflecting seaweed’s broader commercial opportunities.
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Key Takeaways
- The Global Seaweed Fertilizers Market is expected to be worth around USD 3.6 billion by 2034, up from USD 1.7 billion in 2024, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2025 to 2034.
- In 2024, liquid form dominated the Seaweed Fertilizers Market, holding 67.4% due to ease of application.
- Alginate emerged as the leading active ingredient, capturing 39.1% share in Seaweed Fertilizers Market formulations globally.
- Fruits and vegetables accounted for 37.9% of the Seaweed Fertilizers Market, driven by higher crop yield benefits.
- Foliar application led the Seaweed Fertilizers Market with 49.7%, offering faster nutrient absorption and plant growth.
- The agriculture sector dominated the Seaweed Fertilizers Market at 79.2%, reflecting rising demand for sustainable farming practices.
- North America’s 43.8% market dominance reflects rising demand for organic farming.
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Report Scope
| Report Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Market Value (2024) | USD 1.7 Billion |
| Forecast Revenue (2034) | USD 3.6 Billion |
| CAGR (2025-2034) | 7.7% |
| Segments Covered | By Form (Dry, Liquid), By Active Ingredient (Alginate, Fucoidan, Laminarin), By Crop Type (Fruits and Vegetables, Oilseeds and Pulses, Cereals and Grains, Turf and Ornamental, Others), By Application (Soil Application, Foliar Application, Seed Treatment), By End Us (Agriculture, Household Garden, Others) |
| Competitive Landscape | ICL Specialty Fertilizers, Koppert Biological Systems, FMC Corporation, Qingdao Bright Moon Seaweed Group, Acadian Seaplants, BASF SE, Biolchim, Yantai Fucoidan Tech Group |
Key Market Segments
By Form Analysis
In 2024, Liquid seaweed fertilizers dominated the By Form segment with a 67.4% share. Their leadership comes from ease of use, quick absorption, and strong compatibility with modern methods like foliar sprays and drip irrigation. Farmers prefer liquid formulations as they supply nutrients in a readily available form, promoting faster growth, stronger roots, and better resistance to drought and pests.
Their versatility across cereals, fruits, vegetables, and horticultural crops further strengthens adoption, while easy mixing with other inputs supports large-scale farming. The strong share also aligns with the shift toward sustainable and precision agriculture, where efficiency and yield improvement are key. This makes liquid formulations the clear market leader in 2024.
By Active Ingredient Analysis
In 2024, Alginate led the By Active Ingredient segment with a 39.1% share in the Seaweed Fertilizers Market. Extracted from brown seaweeds, alginate is valued for its water-retention ability, soil-conditioning effects, and role in boosting plant growth. Farmers favor it for improving soil structure, nutrient uptake, and root development, resulting in healthier, more resilient crops.
Its dominance is also tied to improved soil aeration and microbial activity. By forming a gel-like layer, alginate helps retain moisture—crucial for crops in areas with water scarcity or irregular rainfall. High-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals particularly benefit from this feature. With its natural origin and effectiveness, alginate remains the most trusted ingredient in 2024, reinforcing its leadership in the seaweed fertilizers industry.
By Crop Type Analysis
In 2024, fruits and vegetables led the By Crop Type segment with a 37.9% share in the seaweed fertilizers market. Their dominance reflects the reliance of horticultural farming on natural inputs to improve yield, quality, and resilience. As sensitive crops, fruits and vegetables benefit from seaweed fertilizers that supply bioactive compounds, plant hormones, and trace minerals, supporting soil health and stress resistance.
These fertilizers are widely adopted for enhancing crop size, color, taste, and shelf life—key to meeting consumer demand and export standards. By promoting stronger root growth and better nutrient uptake, they help farmers achieve healthier plants and higher productivity. The strong position of this segment also signals rising consumer preference for chemical-free, sustainably grown produce, reinforcing the importance of seaweed fertilizers in 2024.
By Application Analysis
In 2024, Foliar Application dominated the By Application segment with a 49.7% share in the Seaweed Fertilizers Market. Its leadership stems from the ability of foliar sprays to deliver nutrients directly to leaves, ensuring rapid absorption and immediate effects on crop growth and yield. Farmers rely on this method to overcome soil limitations and support plants during critical stages.
Foliar application also strengthens crops against stress from drought, salinity, and pests. With bioactive compounds and natural hormones, seaweed sprays improve photosynthesis, leaf development, and overall vigor. The strong 49.7% share further highlights its convenience and cost-effectiveness, as it fits easily into existing farming systems. These advantages make foliar application the most preferred method in 2024.
By End Use Analysis
In 2024, Agriculture led the By End Use segment with a 79.2% share in the Seaweed Fertilizers Market. This dominance is driven by the growing need for sustainable, high-yield farming methods that protect soil health while ensuring productivity. Farmers are adopting seaweed-based inputs for their rich supply of nutrients, natural growth hormones, and trace minerals, which support crop growth and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
The strong position of agriculture also reflects rising global food demand amid population growth and limited arable land. Seaweed fertilizers improve soil fertility, enhance nutrient uptake, and strengthen crops against stresses like drought and salinity, making them valuable for both staple and cash crops. The 79.2% share further highlights how agriculture aligns with global sustainability goals, supported by government initiatives encouraging eco-friendly practices. This has reinforced agriculture’s clear leadership in the market in 2024.
Regional Analysis
The Seaweed Fertilizers Market demonstrates distinct regional growth patterns influenced by farming methods, policy support, and demand for sustainable inputs. In 2024, North America led the market with a 43.8% share worth USD 0.7 billion. This dominance is tied to the strong push for organic farming in the U.S. and Canada, where government incentives and consumer preference for chemical-free produce are driving adoption. Farmers are turning to seaweed-based solutions to enhance soil health and crop resilience while meeting sustainability targets.
Europe ranks next, supported by strict regulations on chemical fertilizers and a clear shift toward eco-friendly practices. In Asia Pacific, adoption is accelerating as countries such as India and China focus on boosting crop yields and expanding organic farming. In the Middle East & Africa, challenges of limited arable land and water scarcity are encouraging the use of bio-based options like seaweed to maintain soil fertility and moisture. Meanwhile, Latin America is steadily increasing usage, particularly in fruit and vegetable production, to align with export quality requirements.
Top Use Cases
- Improving Soil Structure and Water Retention: Seaweed adds natural compounds like alginates and humic acids that help in binding soil particles, especially in heavy clay soils. This creates a crumbly, well-aerated structure that holds water better and makes it easier for roots to grow.
- Stimulating Early Plant Growth and Strong Roots: Seaweed contains plant growth hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins. These help young plants germinate more vigorously and develop stronger root systems, contributing to healthier growth right from the start.
- Boosting Crop Yield and Quality: Applying seaweed fertilizers has been shown to increase not just how much crops yield but also their nutritional and flavor quality. For instance, in one field study in China, plants treated with seaweed fertilizer produced more starch, vitamin C, proteins, and sugars, and had improved leaf growth.
- Supporting Beneficial Soil Microbes & Reducing Pathogens: When seaweed fertilizer is added to the soil, it encourages helpful microbes (like certain bacteria and fungi) to grow. These microbes improve nutrient cycling, and in some cases, help plants resist diseases. For example, extracts from certain seaweeds activate plant defense mechanisms against fungi and bacteria.
- Reducing Need for Synthetic Fertilizers: Because seaweed supplies various macro- (like N, P, K) and micro-nutrients, and also stimulates natural soil processes, farmers can decrease their use of chemical fertilizers. This helps grow crops in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way.
Recent Developments
- In March 2025, Koppert transferred the management of its biostimulant and fertilizer portfolio—including products under the Veni, Vidi, Vici brands and others like Panoramix—to REKA Group B.V. This means that REKA now handles production, logistics, R&D, regulatory affairs, sales, and marketing for those products. However, Koppert still distributes them using its distribution network, and REKA also uses its own channels. The transfer of product registrations and trademarks was expected to be completed during 2025.
- In December 2024, ICL Growing Solutions acquired GreenBest, a UK-based maker of customized fertilizers for turf, landscaping, and horticulture. GreenBest is known for designing tailored granular and liquid nutrition products. This move helps ICL serve these niche markets better and expand its ability to offer personalized, high-quality fertilizer solutions.
Conclusion
The Seaweed Fertilizers Market is on a steady path of growth, driven by the rising need for sustainable farming practices and eco-friendly crop inputs. Farmers worldwide are recognizing the value of seaweed-based products for improving soil structure, enhancing nutrient uptake, and boosting crop resilience against stress conditions like drought and salinity.
With growing awareness about organic cultivation and consumer demand for healthier produce, seaweed fertilizers are becoming an essential alternative to synthetic chemicals. Their natural composition not only supports higher yields but also safeguards the environment, positioning the market for significant expansion in the years ahead.
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