Global Seaweed Based Alternative Meat Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 impact, And Trends By Type (Lectin, Phycobiliprotein), By Meat Type (Pork, Poultry, Chicken, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

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 seaweed protein market 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, seaweed is being used in a variety of 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, which will not strain the available land. 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, increasing this market’s growth.

What are the global seaweed-based alternative meat market drivers?

• Increasing investment in the plant-based food products market

A major factor pushing the global seaweed-based alternative meat market is the increasing investments in the plant-based food products market. 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.

• Increasing sales of plant-based food products

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.

Major restraints in the global seaweed-based alternative meat market:

• Increasing global meat consumption

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.

Geographical outlook of the global seaweed-based alternative meat market

• North America is forecasted to hold a major share of the global seaweed-based alternative meat market.

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, Canada, and Mexico, are 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.

Major players and products in the global seaweed-based alternative meat market:

• The Seaweed Company is a global plant-based food products provider. The company offers various products and solutions, including food products, agricultural products, and processing services. In the global seaweed-based alternative meat market, the company offers SeaMeat, which uniquely blends seaweed into the meat dishes.
• Umaro Foods, Inc. is a global sustainable food producer that aims to develop and build a food system to support a wild and thriving planet. The company offers a plant-based alternative to beacons made of multiple ingredients, like seaweed, chickpea, coconut, and sunflowers.

Key developments in the global seaweed-based alternative meat market:

• In August 2024, Edonia, a  French startup company, raised about EUR 2 million for alternative meat products. The company aims to launch its nutrition-rich and sustainable microalga meat alternative products, which offer about 40 times lower carbon footprint than conventional meat.

The global seaweed-based alternative meat market is segmented and analyzed as follows:

• By Type
  • Lectin
  • Phycobiliprotein
• By Meat Type
  • Pork
  • Poultry
  • Chicken
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • United Kingdom
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan
    • Thailand
    • Indonesia
    • Others

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Market Overview

1.2. Market Definition

1.3. Scope of the Study

1.4. Market Segmentation

1.5. Currency

1.6. Assumptions

1.7. Base and Forecast Years Timeline

1.8. Key benefits for the stakeholders

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  

2.1. Research Design

2.2. Research Process

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.1. Key Findings

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Restraints

4.3. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers

4.3.3. The Threat of New Entrants

4.3.4. Threat of Substitutes

4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in the Industry

4.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis

4.5. Analyst View

5. GLOBAL SEAWEED-BASED ALTERNATIVE MEAT MARKET BY TYPE

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Lectin

5.3. Phycobiliprotein

6. GLOBAL SEAWEED-BASED ALTERNATIVE MEAT MARKET BY MEAT TYPE

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Pork

6.3. Poultry

6.4. Chicken

6.5. Others

7. GLOBAL SEAWEED-BASED ALTERNATIVE MEAT MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

7.1. Introduction

7.2. North America

7.2.1. By Type

7.2.2. By Meat Type

7.2.3. By Country

7.2.3.1. United States

7.2.3.2. Canada

7.2.3.3. Others

7.3. South America

7.3.1. By Type

7.3.2. By Meat Type

7.3.3. By Country

7.3.3.1. Brazil

7.3.3.2. Argentina

7.3.3.3. Others

7.4. Europe

7.4.1. By Type

7.4.2. By Meat Type

7.4.3. By Country

7.4.3.1. Germany

7.4.3.2. France

7.4.3.3. United Kingdom

7.4.3.4. Others

7.5. Middle East and Africa

7.5.1. By Type

7.5.2. By Meat Type

7.5.3. By Country

7.5.3.1. Saudi Arabia

7.5.3.2. UAE

7.5.3.3. Others

7.6. Asia Pacific

7.6.1. By Type

7.6.2. By Meat Type

7.6.3. By Country

7.6.3.1. China

7.6.3.2. India

7.6.3.3. Japan

7.6.3.4. South Korea

7.6.3.5. Taiwan

7.6.3.6. Thailand

7.6.3.7. Indonesia

7.6.3.8. Others

8. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

8.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

8.2. Market Share Analysis

8.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

8.4. Competitive Dashboard

9. COMPANY PROFILES

9.1. Umaro Foods, Inc.

9.2. Algaia

9.3. KIMICA Corporation

9.4. The Seaweed Company

9.5. Yemoja

Umaro Foods, Inc. 

Algaia 

KIMICA Corporation 

The Seaweed Company 

Yemoja