Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market by Product Type (Powder, Tablets, Capsules, Phycocyanin), Distribution Channel (Business Channel, Consumer Channel), Application (Nutraceuticals, Food & Beverages, Animal Feed, Cosmetics, Agriculture) - Forecast to 2030

The Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market is expected to reach $362.1 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2024 to 2030. In terms of volume, the market is expected to reach 52,890.9 tons by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2024 to 2030. The increasing health & wellness trends and the growing food supplements industry, rising demand for natural food colors, positive environmental impact of spirulina cultivation, growing preference for spirulina-sourced products, and increasing use of spirulina in aquaculture are the key factors driving the growth of the Asia-Pacific spirulina market.

Furthermore, the growing demand for phycocyanin and increasing consumer awareness regarding clean-label products are expected to offer significant opportunities for the players operating in this market.

Key Players

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key growth strategies adopted by leading market participants in the Asia-Pacific spirulina market in the past three to four years. The key players profiled in this Asia-Pacific spirulina market study are Aurospirul (India), Far East Microalgae Industries Co., Ltd. (FEMICO) (Taiwan), Fuqing King Dnarmsa Spirulina Co., Ltd. (China), DIC Corporation (Japan), E.I.D. - Parry (India) Limited (A Subsidiary of M/S. Ambadi Investments Limited) (India), Cyanotech Corporation (U.S.), C.B.N. Bio-Engineering Co., Ltd (China), YUNNAN GREEN A BIOLOGICAL PROJECT CO., LTD. (A Subsidiary of Yunnan Spirin Biotechnology Co. Ltd) (China), JIANGSHAN COMP SPIRULINA CO., LTD (China), Inner Mongolia Rejuve Biotech Co., Ltd. (China), Zhejiang Binmei Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (China), Bluetec Naturals CO., LTD. (China), Taiwan Chlorella Manufacturing Company (TCMC) (Taiwan), Vedan Biotechnology Corporation (Taiwan), AlgoSource (France), Tianjin Norland Biotech Co., Ltd (China). Allmicroalgae Natural Products S.A. (Portugal), TAIWAN WILSON ENTERPRISE INC. (Taiwan), ALGALIMENTO SL (Spain), Seagrass Tech Private Limited (India), Plankton Australia Pty Limited (Australia), Hangzhou OuQi Food Co., Ltd. (China), JUNE Spirulina (a Part of JUNE Group of Companies) (Myanmar), Ordos Xinyuli Spirulina Industry Group Co., Ltd. (China), Qingdao Haizhijiao Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (China), Sea & Sun Organic GmbH (Subsidiary of Sea & Sun Technology GmbH) (Germany), Pond Technologies Inc. (Canada), Far East Bio-Tec. Co., Ltd. (FEBICO) (Taiwan), Givaudan SA (Switzerland), Nutragreenlife Biotechnology Co. Ltd. (Branch of Greenlife Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) (China), Xi’an Fengzu Biological Technology Co., Ltd. (FZBIOTECH) (China), Necton S.A. (Portugal), and Spring Spirulina SG (Singapore).

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Rising Demand for Natural Food Colors to Drive the Growth of the Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market

The demand for natural food colors is increasing due to growing consumer awareness about organic products, the health hazards associated with synthetic colors, and the health benefits of natural food colors. The use of artificial production sources to increase food production has led to various health hazards. Consumers’ rising health consciousness and inclination toward environment-friendly products are driving the demand for naturally grown food products in Asia-Pacific. As a result, food manufacturers widely use natural colors to restore the attractiveness of food and beverage products after processing. All these factors are driving the adoption of natural food colors.

Spirulina, which has a blue-green color, provides bright, vivid blue and green shades. It can be used in various types of confectionery and chewing gums. In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved the use of phycocyanin as a natural colorant in food and beverage products. Spirulina being a major source of phycocyanin, its demand has risen dramatically, particularly in the Asia-Pacific. The demand for spirulina is high in the food processing industry. It is used in various applications, including beverages, dairy, confectionery, frosting, ice cream, dry beverage mixes, and yogurt.

Thus, the rising demand for natural food colors is boosting the adoption of spirulina, driving the growth of this market.

Positive Environmental Impact of Spirulina Cultivation to Boost the Growth of the Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market

Preservation of the environment has become a major concern. Continuous growth in the human population has increased petroleum consumption, with an ever-increasing demand for energy. According to the Global Energy Statistical Yearbook 2015, in Asia-Pacific, energy consumption is projected to grow by 31.2% between 2011 and 2021 due to growth in the human population. The extensive use of fossil fuels contributes to atmospheric CO₂ levels, the primary cause of global warming and climate change. If this environmental degradation continues, the planet will face catastrophic climate changes.

Spirulina cultivation helps diminish the greenhouse effect through CO₂ sequestration and abundant oxygen production. Spirulina cultivation using flue gas is more economical and environment-friendly. The cultivation of spirulina uses lesser space with a low impact on soil. In addition, spirulina is an excellent producer of oxygen. Large-scale production could, therefore, improve air quality.

Water and land use are two important environmental factors that must be considered. Interestingly, spirulina can be cultivated on arid lands. In addition, it needs a relatively lower amount of water, as water can be recycled after harvest. After extracting essential compounds from the biomass, the residual biomass can be used in many other refining processes. For instance, sugar-based and cellulosic biorefining can result in the accumulation of protein byproducts, which can be used as animal feed.

Spirulina cultivation can help combat pollution, water contamination and overconsumption, soil erosion, and deforestation. Additionally, after the extraction of essential compounds, the residual biomass can be used as energy feedstock for biodiesel production. Thus, integrated food and energy systems are designed to combine, intensify, and increase the productivity of food and energy simultaneously through sustainable land management. Food-energy integration makes spirulina more economically competitive with high diversification. Spirulina's large cultures play a vital role in rebalancing oxygen and CO2 levels and can effectively absorb toxins and heavy metals, making it an eco-friendly solution to address environmental issues.

Key Findings in the Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market Study:

In 2024, the Powder Segment to Dominate the Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market

Based on product type, in 2024, the powder segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Asia-Pacific spirulina market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the rising demand for spirulina powder among nutraceutical manufacturers due to growing health consciousness among consumers, the increasing use of spirulina powder as an ingredient in various food & beverage products, the growing popularity of vegan diet, and the increasing incorporation of herbal ingredients in cosmetic products.

However, the phycocyanin segment is projected to witness significant growth during the forecast period of 2024–2030. The rapid growth of this segment is mainly driven by the increased adoption of phycocyanin in the manufacturing of therapeutic & nutritional products, growing reluctance toward the usage of synthetic colors, rising demand for natural blue colorants, and investments from leading color houses in the phycocyanin space.

In 2024, the Business Channel Segment to Dominate the Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market

Based on distribution channel, in 2024, the business channel segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Asia-Pacific spirulina market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the direct purchase of large quantities of spirulina by nutraceutical, food & beverage, and animal feed manufacturers from the business channel for further product development.

The Nutraceuticals Segment to Witness Highest Demand During the Forecast Period

Based on application, in 2024, the nutraceuticals segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Asia-Pacific spirulina market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the thriving nutraceuticals sector, increased health concerns among the aging population across various countries, a rising preference for natural alternatives to conventional pharmaceutical products, heightened consumer awareness of the relationship between nutrition and health, growing demand for functional and health foods, and a surge in lifestyle-related diseases, leading people to adopt preventive healthcare measures.

In 2024, China is Expected to Dominate the Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market

Based on country, the Asia-Pacific spirulina market is segmented into China, India, Japan, Australia, Thailand, South Korea, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific. In 2024, China is expected to account for the largest share of the Asia-Pacific spirulina market. China's major market share is attributed to the rising demand for algae products in dietary supplements due to their high protein content and nutritional value. Furthermore, the shift in dietary habits and lifestyles, coupled with the escalating air and water pollution, has contributed to a significant increase in the prevalence of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. As a result, there is a growing demand for algae products in the pharmaceutical sector, driving the growth of the spirulina market in China.

Moreover, the market in China is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this market is driven by the presence of leading and local producers of spirulina and government funding to produce high-value products from spirulina.

Scope of the Report:

Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market Assessment, by Product Type

• Powder
• Tablets
• Capsules
• Flakes
• Phycocyanin
• Frozen Spirulina

Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market Assessment, by Distribution Channel                   

• Business Channel
• Consumer Channel

Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market Assessment, by Application         

• Nutraceuticals
• Food & Beverages
• Animal Feed
• Cosmetics
• Agriculture

Asia-Pacific Spirulina Market Assessment, by Country

• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• Thailand
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia-Pacific (RoAPAC)

Key Questions Answered in the Report: