Omega-3 Market

Omega-3 Market: By Type, Source, Application, and Region

Market Synopsis:

The global Omega-3 Market is valued at USD 8.5 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 18.62 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 7.40% between 2025 and 2035. Omega 3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated Omega-3 fats. They play various important roles in the body and must be consumed through diet. In fact, they're considered conditionally essential because human body can't produce them on its own, which make them essential to get from food sources or supplements. It primarily helps in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Omega 3 has been linked to benefits including aiding weight loss efforts, reducing risk of heart disease and stroke, strengthening bones, boosting immunity, preventing age-related macular degeneration (a leading cause of blindness in older people) and even improving mental well-being.

Increased Application of Omega-3 in Dietary Supplement to Drive Growth of the Omega-3 Market

The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimers disease is expected to triple by 2050. Omega 3, an essential fatty acid found primarily in fish, may help prevent the disease. Analysis predicts that between 2005 and 2025, there will be a 50 percent increase in heart failure cases worldwide. Omega 3 has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk factors associated with this condition. As per recent findings, omega 3 can improve mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. One meta-analysis estimated that taking omega 3 supplements reduces lifetime rates of suicide by about one third among men who have attempted suicide previously. This suggests an important role for omega 3 not only in the treatment of these conditions but also in primary prevention. With growing data on the benefits of omega 3, its consumption is increasing globally. Omega 3 supplements are the second most popular dietary supplement, after vitamin D.

By Source, Marine Segment to Continue Holding Major Share of Omega-3 Market

Omega 3 is found mainly in oily fish like sardines, salmon, trout and fresh tuna, but its also found in lesser amounts in eggs and fortified foods like soy milk. Other dietary sources of omega 3 include sea vegetables (such as dulse and nori), seaweed, algal oil, spirulina, enriched eggs and walnuts. Although omega 3 is found in some plants, fish is the major source of dietary omega 3.

Omega 3 is not made by human cells and can only be obtained from food or supplements. Although there are several types of Omega-3 fatty acids, the most consumed are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA are often marketed as marine-derived Omega-3 fatty acids because they come from fish or other aquatic life. Fish acquire omega 3 via their diet of aquatic life such as algae, phytoplankton and krill.

Market Segmentation:

Global Omega-3 is segmented by type (EPA, DHA), source (marine, plant), application (supplements & functional foods, infant formula), and region.

By Application, Infant Formula Segment to Enjoy Lucrative Growth in Omega 3 Market

Requirements for Omega-3 fatty acids are high among infants and when breastfeeding is not an option, formula can be used instead of breast milk. However, breast milk contains more docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) than any other source. Formula manufacturers began to add DHA and arachidonic acid (ARA) in the early 1990s. Today, major infant formula brands throughout Europe and North America offer formulas with added preformed DHA and ARA.

The majority of Omega-3 fatty acids used in infant formula are supplied by fish oil, particularly sardine and anchovy oils. This ingredient can be provided from multiple sources including whole fish, solid residue from the processing industry, and oil from wastes normally discarded after extraction of fish liver or roes.

North America to Continue Dominating Omega-3 Market

The largest and most consistent demand for omega 3 fatty acid comes from North America, where the population demands healthy foods. This is because of their constant exposure to advertisements on television and magazines that advertise the many benefits that omega 3 fatty acid has to offer. It’s also highly popular as a supplement in fitness centers as well as nutrition shops, pharmacies, health clubs and more. Furthermore, this population is exposed to knowledge about omega 3 through educational institutions such as schools and universities – therefore understanding the importance of including foods rich in omega 3 into their daily food intake. Because of all these reasons combined, it makes sense why North America consumes so much of this ingredient. Apart from this, the region has huge population suffering from cardiovascular diseases, especially in the U.S. For instance, over 16.3 million Americans have some sort of CVD who are above 20 years old. This represents another key consumer area for omega 3.

Key Players

Koninklijke DSM N.V., Orkla Health, Aker Biomarine Antarctic AS, Omega Protein Corp, BASF SE, Lonza, GC Reiber Oils, Croda International Plc, BioProcess Algae, LLC, and EPAX are some of the key players in the global Omega-3 market.

The Omega-3 market can be bifurcated into following segments: