The global seaweed-based alternative meat market is estimated to attain US$1,751.506 million in 2030, increasing from US$885.486 million in 2025 at a CAGR of 14.62%.
Seaweed is a type of algae or marine plant that grows in bodies of water like oceans, rivers, and seas. It is a sustainable protein source because it doesn't require fertilizers or fresh water, absorbs a lot of CO2, and produces a lot of it. The worldwide demand for these is also expanding rapidly as a result of the increased use of seaweed protein and extracts. Because of the presence of bioactive substances such as colors, vitamins, phlorotannins, polysaccharides, peptides, minerals, and nutritional effects, seaweeds are being used in various sectors.
The growing global population, increasing resilience of plant-based meat, and seaweed's health benefits and cultivation efficiency are projected to boost the seaweed-based alternative meat market. As per the Department of Product Design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the global population will be 9.8 billion by 2030. The demand for fresh meat and the scarcity of farmland are expected to shift to alternative protein cultivation. This is significantly projected to increase the production of alternative non-land cultivated protein sources, including seaweed. Additionally, as per the source, over 500 seaweed species are available globally for food. The health benefits associated with seaweed consumption, its efficient production, investments, and research are projected to push the demand, and in turn accelerating the seaweed-based alternative meat market growth.
A major factor pushing the global seaweed-based alternative meat market is the increasing investments in plant-based food products. The global plant-based food products, especially the plant-based meat and seafood products category, witnessed a significant investment aimed at developing production techniques and improving the taste and texture of these products.
The Goof Food Institute, or GFI, in its report, stated that the total global investment in the plant-based food sector reached about US$8.5 billion in 2023. The agency stated that the total investment in plant-based meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy products reached US$907.7 million, which accounted for about 11% of the total plant-based food industry globally.
GFI further stated that various countries have also introduced new policies and regulations aimed at boosting the demand for the plant-based food market in their respective nations. It further noted that Canada invested about US$110 million, for public funding to boost and support the plant-based protein market in the nation. Similarly, the UK and German governments also introduced major policies and investment plans to grow alternative protein research and development in their countries.
The rise in the global demand for plant-based food products is expected to grow the global seaweed-based alternative meat market forward. In recent years, the global demand for plant-based food products witnessed a significant increase due to the growth of the global vegan and vegetarian population. With the rise in the global demand for plant-based food products, the introduction of new and innovative products will also increase.
The Good Food Institute, in its report, stated that the total sales of plant-based food products in 2023 reached US$8.1 billion in the USA. The institute further stated that in the nation, the total sales of plant-based meat and seafood were recorded at US$1.2 billion in 2023, whereas the total sales of plant-based milk were recorded at US$2.9 billion.
A major challenge to the global seaweed-based alternative meat products market is the increasing global consumption of meat and meat products. The OECD, or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in its report, stated that the consumption of meat and meat products increased significantly over the past few years. The organization stated that in 2022, the total consumption of beef and veal in China was recorded at 10,530 thousand tons, which increased to 10,557 thousand tons in 2023. Similarly, in Brazil, a total of 5,925.5 thousand tons of beef and veal were consumed in 2023, which increased from 5,808.7 thousand tons in 2022.
The North American region is forecasted to witness significant growth in the global seaweed-based alternative meat market. The North American region, especially the USA id among the biggest meat consumers globally. This region also witnessed significant growth in its total vegetarian and vegan population, which is expected to push the plant-based meat products market. The Great Green Wall organization, in its report, stated that Mexico is home to the second largest vegetarian population in the globe, with about 19% of the total population of the nation being vegetarian. Similarly, Canada's total population of vegetarians was recorded at about 9.4% in 2023.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
| Seaweed-Based Alternative Meat Market Size in 2025 | US$885.486 million |
| Seaweed-Based Alternative Meat Market Size in 2030 | US$1,751.506 million |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 14.62% |
| Study Period | 2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Million |
| Segmentation |
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| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| List of Major Companies in Seaweed Based Alternative Meat Market | |
| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |