Fish Protein Market

How big is Fish Protein Market in 2026?

Sales of fish protein are estimated to rise at 6.8% CAGR through 2036. Market valuation increases from USD 1.5 billion in 2025 to USD 1.6 billion in 2026 and is estimated to reach USD 3.0 billion by 2036.

Fish protein is derived from fish material and is available in powder as well as liquid form for its use in food, nutrition and other applications. Fish protein market is estimated to rise at 6.8% CAGR during 2026 to 2036, increasing from USD 1.5 billion in 2025 to USD 1.6 billion in 2026 and further reaching USD 3.0 billion by 2036. According to FAO, fisheries and aquaculture production reached 235 million tonnes in 2024, including 195 million tonnes of aquatic animals[1]. This large production leaves heads, frames, skin and trimmings which can be further utilized for the preparation of protein ingredients. FMI notes that increasing application of powder, isolate and mild tasting marine protein is anticipated to boost the fish protein market during the forecast years.

Demand patterns are changing across countries, reflecting differences in seafood processing capacity and evolving consumer preferences. The UK fish protein market is projected to grow at 8.6% CAGR, whereas Japan is anticipated to grow at 8.2% CAGR through 2036. A 2025 European Market Observatory assessment indicated that seafood consumption across member states stabilized at 23.3 kg per capita, directing processor focus toward recovered nutrition streams[2]. The lower consumption of whole seafood is increasing the preference for convenient marine powders and dietary supplements. The UK also has a large seafood processing industry, due to which more trimmings are available for protein recovery. However, odor control, species record and stable protein content remains an important requirement before food manufacturers uses fish protein in regular production.

Key Takeaways of Fish Protein Market

• Processing economics is supporting the demand as standardized protein can help in recovering more value from fish streams than low-value disposal routes.
• Based on form, powder is projected to account for 95.2% in 2026, owing to low moisture and repeatable dosing.
• By product type, fish protein isolate is estimated to hold 49.0% in 2026, supported by controlled concentration and functionality.
• In 2026, food and beverages are expected to lead application with 40.9% share, driven by fortification and formulated foods.
• The UK is projected at 8.6% CAGR through 2036, while Japan is forecast at 8.2% because their demand routes differ.
• Notable companies in the fish protein market include Hofseth BioCare, Scanbio Marine Group, Biomega Group, Symrise, TripleNine Group, and Omega Protein.

Analyst Perspective

“Availability of fish material alone will not decide the regular demand for fish protein. In my experience, suppliers offering stable taste, traceable composition and application suitable grades are expected to gain higher-value orders.”

- Nandini Roy Choudhury, Principal Consultant, Future Market Insights.

How is the Fish Protein Market segmented?

Fish protein market is segmented by three primary commercial axes and region: form, product type, application, and region. Powder is projected at 95.2%, fish protein isolate at 49.0%, and food and beverages at 40.9% in 2026.

The fish protein market uses three segment axes with region as the geographic split.
Form covers powder and liquid.
Product type covers fish protein isolate, fish protein hydrolysate, and fish protein concentrate.
Application covers food and beverages, sports nutrition and dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, and others.

Why does powder account for notable form demand?

Based on form, powder is projected to account for 95.2% in 2026, owing to stable storage and controlled industrial dosing.

Fish protein powder contains low moisture and can be transported without carrying the water present in liquid protein. Powder is easy to store and can be added in measured quantity during food and nutrition manufacturing. Spray drying is helping manufacturers in preparing similar powder in every production batch. These processing advantages are also driving commercial interest in specialized marine peptides for dry blend formulations.

• Powder holds 95.2% of form demand in 2026 because low moisture supports storage, shipping, and repeatable batch addition.
• Spray drying helps processors achieve batch-to-batch uniformity and convenient handling for industrial manufacturing.

What supports fish protein isolate as a preferred product type?

By product type, fish protein isolate is estimated to hold 49.0% in 2026, supported by high concentration and specification control.

Fish protein isolate contains higher protein after removal of more variable fat and mineral portions. The isolate is used where food and nutrition manufacturers require measured protein content. Solubility and fish odor can still affect its use in beverages and daily nutrition products. Increasing use of concentrated marine extracts also aligns with broader demand trends observed across the marine collagen sector.

• Fish protein isolate holds 49.0% of product type demand in 2026 because higher concentration supports measured formulation targets.
• Controlled extraction of fats and minerals provides the functional consistency required for fortified formulations.

How is food and beverages gaining use across applications?

In 2026, food and beverages are expected to lead application with 40.9% share, driven by fortification and functional formulation.

Fish protein is used in food and beverages for increasing protein content in powders, drinks, snacks and prepared nutrition products. Food manufacturers can use powder, isolate or hydrolysate depending on taste and solubility requirement. Wider number of finished food products offers more application opportunities than pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses. Rising commercial interest in food fortification is creating new formulation avenues for mild-tasting marine proteins.

• Food and beverages hold 40.9% of application demand in 2026 because fortification is creating several commercial product routes.
• Expanding finished product applications offer broader commercial volume than specialized pharmaceutical or cosmetic niches.

What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the Fish Protein Market?

In the fish protein market, the key driver is value recovery, the key restraint is sensory qualification, and the key opportunity is controlled hydrolysis.

• Driver: Fish processors can convert fresh protein-bearing streams into ingredients with higher and more repeatable value.
• Restraint: Oxidation, odor, species variation, and allergen controls lengthen the route from trial to repeat purchasing.
• Opportunity: Controlled hydrolysis and enzymatic processing create growth opportunities for peptide grades with stable solubility across nutrition and food applications.

Processing Streams Support Value Recovery

Production of fish and other aquatic animals creates heads, frames, skin and trimmings which contains recoverable protein. The opportunity is higher where processors can separate this material quickly and maintain its freshness. Conversion of these streams into standardized powder or concentrate provides a saleable ingredient instead of an unstable residual material. This value recovery is closely aligned with the growing commercial role of fish protein hydrolysate across value-added supply chains.

Sensory Control Slows Qualification

Fish protein can develop fishy odor and rancid taste when the remaining lipids are exposed to oxygen. Difference in fish species and freshness can also change the color, solubility and protein content of the ingredient. Due to these variations, food manufacturers test the material before including it in regular production. These sensory and quality considerations are especially critical when formulating mild-flavored functional food ingredients for mainstream consumer products.

Controlled Hydrolysis Opens New Uses

Controlled hydrolysis helps in producing marine ingredients with defined peptide size and improved solubility. In February 2025, Hofseth BioCare and Symrise entered into a strategic partnership covering financing and exclusive distribution for enzymatically produced marine ingredients[9]. The partnership connects controlled processing with a wider distribution route. Increasing demand for peptide grades with stable solubility and application evidence is expected to create growth opportunities in sports nutrition and lifestyle wellness products.

Which country CAGRs are profiled in the fish protein market?

Country	CAGR
UK	8.6%
Japan	8.2%
USA	6.8%
South Korea	5.5%
Germany	4.9%

How do country-level CAGRs compare in the fish protein market?

Fish protein demand is expected to be supported by different conditions in the profiled countries. The UK has seafood processing activity, whereas Japan has increasing requirement for convenient marine nutrition products. USA demand is linked with seafood landings and food labeling requirements. South Korea and Germany are expected to grow with fisheries production and measured use of protein ingredients.

• UK processors can help in recovering more value from a dense seafood-processing base while managing raw-material and labor pressure.
• Japan combines lower whole-seafood consumption with policy support for aquaculture modernization and value-added formats.
• USA demand is gaining benefits from large seafood landings but food use requires species and allergen controls.
• South Korea has recovering fisheries output, although species-level changes make feedstock planning less predictable.
• Germany has steady aquaculture output and price-sensitive buyers that requires a clear functional return.

Full report country CAGRs cover: North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; East Asia; South Asia and Pacific; Middle East and Africa.

Country-wise Analysis

• The UK fish protein outlook is anticipated to advance at 8.6% CAGR over the assessment period, supported by its established seafood-processing base. Seafish counted 342 majority-seafood processing sites and 17,169 full-time equivalent workers for 2024 in its August 2025 supply-chain report[3]. The report also described pressure from raw-material supply and labor costs. Those conditions make yield recovery a practical operating question rather than a broad sustainability claim. Protein streams can add value when processors segregate them before quality declines. UK suppliers still need stable odor and composition because food and nutrition buyers will not accept variable material. The local opportunity therefore sits between plant economics and buyer qualification, with fresh collection deciding how much material can enter higher-value use.
• By 2036, Japan is projected to grow at 8.2% CAGR, influenced by changing seafood use and aquaculture policy. The Japan Fisheries Agency reported edible seafood consumption of 21.4 kg per person in 2023 compared with 40.2 kg in 2001[4]. Its June 2026 white paper also described technology and export development as part of aquaculture growth. Lower whole-fish consumption does not remove marine protein demand. It changes the form in which buyers can use it. Powders and mild-tasting ingredients can enter convenient foods or nutrition products without asking consumers to buy more whole seafood. Japanese qualification will remain strict because daily-use formulations expose odor quickly. Suppliers therefore need product format and sensory control to work together.
• Fish protein demand in the USA is forecast to rise at 6.8% CAGR over the forecast period, supported by its broad seafood-processing base. NOAA published updated fisheries reports in February 2026 and retained commercial landings as a core national supply indicator[5]. Large landings are creating potential protein streams, but available volume is not the same as qualified ingredient supply. FDA guidance updated in January 2025 identifies fish as a major food allergen and requires the species to be declared where applicable[6]. Food formulators therefore screen identity records and cross-contact controls alongside protein content. U.S. suppliers can help in reducing qualification time when they provide stable composition, traceable species records, and application data. Expanding applications in clinical nutrition require strict compliance with allergen labeling and batch purity.
• South Korea is estimated to post 5.5% CAGR over the forecast period, aided by recovering national fisheries production. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries reported in February 2026 that 2025 fisheries production reached 3.93 million tonnes, an 8.7% increase from 2024[7]. Coastal and offshore production increased 16.3%, although performance differed by species. That mix can improve feedstock availability while making composition less predictable for processors using several fish streams. Protein producers need flexible intake rules and blending controls so the finished ingredient remains inside specification. The country outlook is therefore tied to how well processors handle species variation, not production growth alone. Buyers are expected to prefer suppliers that keep protein concentration and sensory performance steady when the incoming mix changes.
• The Germany fish protein sector is projected to record 4.9% CAGR during the assessment period, attributable to steady domestic output and measured purchasing. Destatis reported in May 2025 that German aquaculture produced 16,700 tonnes of fish in 2024, 0.6% less than 2023[8]. The production base is stable rather than rapidly expanding. A February 2025 European Commission survey also found product cost was the most influential factor in seafood purchasing. Ingredient suppliers therefore need to show a clear return through yield, nutrition, or formulation performance. Premium processing will have a narrower route when the functional gain is difficult to measure. Germany’s outlook favors documented efficiency and consistent grades instead of volume-led expansion.

Who are the notable companies in the Fish Protein Market?

Notable companies include Hofseth BioCare, Scanbio Marine Group, Biomega Group, Symrise, TripleNine Group, and Omega Protein.

Fish protein market is moderately fragmented with the presence of marine processors, hydrolysis companies and functional ingredient suppliers. Scanbio Marine Group, TripleNine Group and Omega Protein are associated with fish processing and larger raw material streams. Hofseth BioCare and Biomega Group are focusing on controlled marine protein and peptide ingredients, whereas Symrise supports formulation and distribution of selected marine ingredients. Companies are increasing certification, hydrolysis capacity and international supply in order to cater to the growing demand for fish protein.

• Integrated marine processors: Scanbio Marine Group, TripleNine Group, and Omega Protein are connecting raw-material access with protein conversion.
• Functional ingredient specialists: Hofseth BioCare and Biomega Group are focusing on controlled marine proteins and peptides.
• Formulation and distribution partners: Symrise adds application development and international customer access to selected marine ingredients.

Competitive Benchmarking: Fish Protein Market

Company	In-scope format	Human nutrition readiness	Circular integration	Geographic reach
Hofseth BioCare	High	High	Medium	High
Scanbio Marine Group	High	Medium	High	High
Biomega Group	High	High	High	High
Symrise	Medium	High	Low	High
TripleNine Group	High	Low	High	High
Omega Protein	High	Medium	High	High

High indicates broad current evidence, Medium indicates narrower evidence, and Low indicates limited documented breadth. Ratings describe public capability and do not represent product quality, revenue share, or company ranking.

Key Developments in the Fish Protein Market

• In February 2025, Hofseth BioCare entered into a strategic partnership with Symrise for marine ingredients. Symrise provided financing for the Berkak hydrolysis plant and received distribution rights for selected ingredients.

Key Players in the Fish Protein Market

Integrated Marine Protein Processors

• Scanbio Marine Group
• TripleNine Group
• Omega Protein

Functional Marine Ingredient Specialists

• Hofseth BioCare
• Biomega Group

Application and Distribution Partner

• Symrise

Fish Protein Market - Report Scope

Coverage field	Report scope
Market breakdown	Form, product type, application, and region.
Quantitative units	USD billion.
Market definition	Revenue from fish-derived protein isolate, hydrolysate, and concentrate sold as powder or liquid ingredients. Fish oil, collagen-only products, conventional fishmeal, finished products, and substitute proteins are excluded.
Regions covered	North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; East Asia; South Asia and Pacific; Middle East and Africa.
Countries covered	UK, Japan, USA, South Korea, and Germany.
Key companies profiled	Hofseth BioCare; Scanbio Marine Group; Biomega Group; Symrise; TripleNine Group; Omega Protein.
Forecast period	2026 to 2036.
Approach	The Future Market Insights report covers segment structure, country demand, company activity, and qualification conditions.

Fish Protein Market - Research Methodology

Method	Approach
Primary Research	FMI analysts gathered input from manufacturers, service providers, technology developers, distributors, end users, procurement teams, and subject-matter experts. Interviews examined purchasing decisions, product or service evaluation, adoption barriers, approval requirements, pricing considerations, and expectations for technical or commercial support. Respondents were also asked what evidence is required before a trial, pilot, or initial order develops into regular purchasing.
Desk Research	Desk research covered government statistics, regulatory publications, trade data, industry associations, technical literature, standards, company filings, product information, and official corporate announcements. Sources were reviewed for relevance, publication date, geographic coverage, and consistency with the defined market scope. Claims relating to performance, applications, approvals, capacity, investment, and commercial activity were retained only when supported by credible public evidence.
Market Sizing and Forecasting	The market model combined the baseline value with historical performance, segment structure, pricing and volume indicators, adoption levels, company participation, and country-level demand conditions. Forecast assumptions considered economic activity, investment trends, regulatory developments, technology adoption, purchasing cycles, supply availability, and barriers to wider market use. Segment and regional estimates were reconciled before the final market total was calculated.
Data Validation	Estimates were checked against multiple independent indicators, including public data, company activity, trade patterns, industry developments, and findings from primary interviews. Validation also tested whether products, services, applications, and company revenues fell within the defined market boundaries. Adjacent categories, unsupported claims, overlapping revenues, and activities without direct market relevance were excluded to reduce double counting and maintain consistency across segments and countries.

Segment shares and forecast values are FMI proprietary analytical estimates. They are not government statistics or direct measurements of global market share.

Fish Protein Market by Segments

Fish Protein Market segmented by Form:

• Powder
• Liquid

Fish Protein Market segmented by Product Type:

• Fish protein isolate
• Fish protein hydrolysate
• Fish protein concentrate

Fish Protein Market segmented by Application:

• Food and beverages
• Sports nutrition and dietary supplements
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics and personal care
• Others

Fish Protein Market by Region

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Chile
• Western Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Benelux
  • Nordics
• Eastern Europe
  • Poland
  • Czech Republic
  • Romania
  • Hungary
• East Asia
  • Japan
  • South Korea
• South Asia and Pacific
  • ASEAN
  • Australia and New Zealand
• Middle East and Africa
  • GCC Countries
  • South Africa
  • Türkiye
  • Israel

Research Sources and Bibliography

• [1] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2026, June 16). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 (SOFIA).
• [2] European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture. (2025, December 1). The EU Fish Market 2025 Edition.
• [3] Seafish. (2025, August 1). 2024 Seafood Supply Chain Report.
• [4] Japan Fisheries Agency. (2026, June 5). FY2025 Fisheries White Paper released.
• [5] NOAA Fisheries. (2026, February 9). Fisheries of the United States Reports.
• [6] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, January 6). Frequently Asked Questions: Food Allergen Labeling Guidance for Industry.
• [7] Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea. (2026, February 26). 2025 fisheries production increased 8.7% year over year.
• [8] Statistisches Bundesamt. (2025, May 27). 16 700 Tonnen Fisch aus Aquakulturen im Jahr 2024.
• [9] Hofseth BioCare ASA. (2025, February 17). Strategic partnership with Symrise for marine ingredients.
• [10] Scanbio Ingredients AS. (2025, October 15). MarinTrust certificate award for circular fish protein concentrates.
• [11] Natural Health Products New Zealand. (2025, June 20). Cawthron Institute Innovation Award 2025.

This bibliography is provided for reader reference. The full report contains the complete reference list and detailed citations.

This Report Answers

• What is Fish Protein Market worth during 2026?
• What value is Fish Protein Market projected by 2036?
• Which form holds notable Fish Protein Market share in 2026?
• Which product type holds notable Fish Protein Market share?
• Which country has notable Fish Protein Market growth through 2036?
• Which companies are notable in Fish Protein Market today?