Omega-3 capsules. The market for marine omega-3 fatty acids and algae continues to grow. (Photo: Stock File/Epax)

Demand for Omega-3 to soar: report

WORLDWIDE
Friday, November 27, 2009, 16:30 (GMT + 9)

The marine and algal omega-3 fatty acids market is presenting manufacturers with significant opportunities for growth despite regulatory, technological and environmental challenges, according to the latest Frost & Sullivan report tracking the sector.

The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega 3s (GOED) asked the firm to evaluate the global omega-3 ingredients market, and the report put it at USD 1.2 billion.

Growth is set at an annual 10-13 per cent, but the market’s volume is difficult to estimate because of the numerous forms and concentrations of the fatty acids offered, according to Director of Nutritional Lipids of DSM Amanda Ruess, ICIS.com reports.

"The science relating to the health benefits of omega-3 gets stronger and stronger," Ruess stated. "Suppliers have overcome a lot of the technical hurdles for handling omega-3 oils and have progressed in producing various forms, which can be used successfully in a wide range of end-products in foods, beverages, supplements and infant formulas."

Analysts estimated the global consumption of marine and algal omega-3 ingredients for 2008 at 71,452 tonnes. North America came first at 26,948 tonnes, Asia-Pacific came second at 21,145 tonnes, followed by the European Union (EU) at 13,596 tonnes and other countries at 5,762 tonnes, AP-Food Technology reports.

“The [consumption] growth rate has averaged 30-40 per cent annually during the last few years. We still expect significant growth in the next several years,” said Frost & Sullivan analyst Chris Shanahan.

There is strong and growing scientific evidence on the health benefits of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic)-based omega-3, he said.

Simultaneously, there are numerous claims in Europe that omega-3 ingredients do not affect health, which is encouraging scepticism and thus thwarting the market’s development in that region. These claims must be addressed, Shanahan affirmed.

Frost & Sullivan’s report asserts that marine oils may continue to lead the overall omega-3 EPA and DHA market. Marine oil concentrates are especially expected to increase in terms of volume and value as they continue to enter the pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements industry.

It is anticipated that sales of omega-3 ingredients in emerging regions will expand the fastest; these sales will make up 40 per cent of the market by 2013. The food and beverage industry will begin introducing a burgeoning amount of products with omega-3 ingredients by 2015.

“There have been fewer new functional food and drink releases this year and this is restricting consumer awareness of the benefits of these products,” Shanahan explained.

Manufacturers of fortified foods would be wise to focus on technological partnerships to broaden the use of omega-3 ingredients in their products and make them more attractive to consumers, he affirmed.

The market of omega-3 ingredients geared toward specific health conditions such as cognitive, joint and immune health will begin to expand by 2013 as people increasingly look to self-treat to save money.

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By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com