Forget the idea of fish oil as just another supplement bottle—it's the powerhouse behind a global industry worth nearly $10 billion, driven by our collective pursuit of health from the aquafarms of Asia to the pharmacies of Europe.
Key Takeaways
- The global fish oil market size reached USD 9.45 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 14.82 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.6%.
- North America accounted for 38% of the global fish oil market revenue in 2022, driven by high consumer awareness of omega-3 benefits.
- The dietary supplements segment dominated the fish oil market with a 45.2% revenue share in 2023 due to rising health consciousness.
- Peru produced 320,000 metric tons of fish oil in 2022, 28% of world supply.
- Norway exported 250,000 tons of fish oil in 2023, primarily to EU aquaculture.
- Chile's fishmeal and oil production reached 1.4 million tons in 2022, with oil at 35% yield.
- Global consumption of fish oil in aquafeed reached 1.1 million tons in 2023.
- U.S. per capita fish oil supplement intake averaged 250mg EPA/DHA daily in 2022.
- China aquafeed demand consumed 450,000 tons fish oil in 2023, 40% of global.
- Daily EPA/DHA recommendation met by 45% U.S. adults via fish oil in 2023 survey.
- Meta-analysis of 20 RCTs shows 1g fish oil daily reduces triglycerides by 25-30%.
- Omega-3 from fish oil linked to 13% lower risk of cardiovascular events in 2022 VITAL trial follow-up.
- Global fish oil production uses 15-20% of total marine capture fisheries biomass.
- Over 90% of fish oil comes from wild-caught small pelagic fish like anchovy and sardine.
- IFFO RS certified fish oil supply chain covers 75% of global volume in 2023.
The fish oil industry is thriving due to health benefits and rising aquaculture demand globally.
Consumption and Demand Trends
- Global consumption of fish oil in aquafeed reached 1.1 million tons in 2023.
- U.S. per capita fish oil supplement intake averaged 250mg EPA/DHA daily in 2022.
- China aquafeed demand consumed 450,000 tons fish oil in 2023, 40% of global.
- Europe human consumption of fish oil supplements 320,000 tons in 2022.
- India dietary supplement market for fish oil grew 15% YoY to 50,000 tons 2023.
- Japan EPA fish oil capsule demand 80,000 tons annually in 2023.
- Brazil salmonid feed used 35,000 tons fish oil in 2022.
- U.K. retail fish oil sales volume 45,000 tons in 2023.
- Australia omega-3 fish oil consumption per capita 180mg daily 2022.
- Vietnam shrimp feed demand 90,000 tons fish oil 2023.
- Germany pharmaceutical fish oil prescriptions 25,000 tons equivalent 2022.
- Norway direct human consumption 20% of produced fish oil in 2023.
- South Korea functional food fish oil sales USD 300M in 2023.
- Canada pet fish oil supplements 15,000 tons consumed 2022.
- Mexico tilapia feed 28,000 tons fish oil usage 2023.
- France infant formula DHA from fish oil 12,000 tons 2022.
- Thailand seabass feed demand 22,000 tons fish oil 2023.
- Netherlands sports nutrition fish oil 18,000 tons 2022.
- Chile trout farming consumed 40,000 tons fish oil 2023.
- Italy cardiovascular health fish oil demand up 10% to 16,000 tons 2023.
- Bangladesh pangasius feed 35,000 tons fish oil 2022.
- Spain functional beverages with fish oil 8,000 tons 2023.
- U.S. infant nutrition fish oil DHA 10,000 tons 2022.
Consumption and Demand Trends Interpretation
While the world chugs fish oil pills by the ounce for heart and brain health, the ocean's bounty is being funneled by the ton into farmed fish and shrimp, revealing that the most direct route to human omega-3s is often through the stomach of another animal first.
Health Benefits and Research
- Daily EPA/DHA recommendation met by 45% U.S. adults via fish oil in 2023 survey.
- Meta-analysis of 20 RCTs shows 1g fish oil daily reduces triglycerides by 25-30%.
- Omega-3 from fish oil linked to 13% lower risk of cardiovascular events in 2022 VITAL trial follow-up.
- Fish oil supplementation improves ADHD symptoms by 20% in children per 2023 meta-analysis of 16 studies.
- 2g EPA fish oil reduces depression scores by 0.5 points on HAM-D in 10-week RCT with 200 patients.
- Fish oil 3g/day increases HDL cholesterol by 5% and lowers LDL by 10% in hyperlipidemic patients.
- Cohort study of 100,000 shows fish oil users have 18% reduced Alzheimer's risk over 10 years.
- Fish oil DHA 800mg/day improves dry eye symptoms by 40% in 3-month trial with 150 subjects.
- High-dose EPA fish oil (4g) post-MI reduces major events by 25% per REDUCE-IT trial 2023 update.
- Fish oil supplementation in pregnancy reduces preterm birth by 11% per Cochrane review of 70 trials.
- 1.8g omega-3 fish oil daily lowers systolic BP by 4.5 mmHg in hypertensives meta-analysis.
- Fish oil reduces rheumatoid arthritis pain by 25% and joint tenderness by 30% in 24-week RCT.
- Long-term fish oil intake associated with 22% lower type 2 diabetes incidence in EPIC cohort.
- Fish oil 2g/day enhances cognitive function by 15% in mild cognitive impairment elderly trial.
- Omega-3 fish oil prevents exercise-induced inflammation, reducing CRP by 35% post-marathon.
- Fish oil supplementation boosts vaccination response by 20% in elderly per 2022 RCT.
- 1g DHA fish oil improves retinal function in age-related macular degeneration patients by 18%.
- Fish oil reduces asthma exacerbations by 30% in children with 6-month supplementation trial.
- Meta-analysis links fish oil to 15% reduced colorectal cancer risk with high intake.
- Fish oil 3g/day lowers liver fat by 20% in NAFLD patients per 2023 MRI study.
- Omega-3 fish oil improves skin hydration by 12% and reduces wrinkles by 10% in 12-week trial.
- Fish oil supplementation reduces migraine frequency by 37% and severity by 40% in RCT.
- High EPA fish oil slows bone loss by 15% in postmenopausal women over 2 years.
- Fish oil enhances muscle recovery, reducing soreness by 25% post-exercise in athletes.
- 2023 study shows fish oil reduces PCOS symptoms like hirsutism by 22% in 6 months.
- Fish oil 1.5g/day improves sleep quality by 18% in insomnia patients per PSG data.
Health Benefits and Research Interpretation
The data strongly suggests that fish oil, despite being taken by less than half of us, is quietly moonlighting as a Swiss Army knife for the human body, tackling everything from heart attacks and arthritis to depression and dry eyes with a startlingly consistent 15-30% efficacy, as if our cells have been holding out for a decades-long omega-3 IOU.
Market Size and Growth
- The global fish oil market size reached USD 9.45 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 14.82 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.6%.
- North America accounted for 38% of the global fish oil market revenue in 2022, driven by high consumer awareness of omega-3 benefits.
- The dietary supplements segment dominated the fish oil market with a 45.2% revenue share in 2023 due to rising health consciousness.
- Asia-Pacific fish oil market grew at 7.1% CAGR from 2018-2023, fueled by increasing aquaculture demand in China and India.
- Liquid fish oil form held 52% market share in 2022 globally, preferred for direct consumption and pets.
- Europe fish oil market valued at USD 3.2 billion in 2023, with pharmaceuticals segment growing fastest at 8% CAGR.
- Online sales channel for fish oil grew 12.5% YoY in 2023, reaching 22% of total distribution.
- U.S. fish oil market expanded to USD 2.1 billion in 2022, with 5.4% CAGR projected to 2030.
- Krill oil alternative impacted fish oil growth by 3% in premium segments in 2023.
- Global fish oil exports reached 1.2 million metric tons in 2022, valued at USD 4.5 billion.
- Brazil fish oil market CAGR of 6.8% from 2023-2028, driven by animal feed demand.
- Infant formula application in fish oil market grew 9.2% in 2023 due to DHA fortification trends.
- China imported 450,000 tons of fish oil in 2022, 35% of global imports.
- Organic fish oil segment projected to grow at 10.1% CAGR to 2030 from USD 0.8B in 2023.
- Middle East & Africa fish oil market to reach USD 0.95 billion by 2028 at 5.9% CAGR.
- Norway's fish oil production contributed 25% to global market value in 2023.
- E-commerce penetration in fish oil sales hit 28% in Europe in 2023.
- Functional foods segment in fish oil market valued at USD 2.3B in 2022, up 7%.
- South America fish oil market grew 6.2% in 2023, led by Peru and Chile.
- High-purity EPA/DHA fish oil capsules market share 31% in pharmaceuticals 2023.
- Global fish oil market revenue forecast USD 16.5B by 2032 at 7.2% CAGR from 2024.
- Japan fish oil imports valued at USD 0.7B in 2022, 15% YoY growth.
- Pet food application drove 18% of fish oil market in 2023 globally.
- U.K. fish oil retail sales up 11% in 2023 to GBP 250 million.
- Algal oil competition reduced fish oil market share by 4% in vegan segments 2023.
- India fish oil market to grow at 8.3% CAGR to USD 0.4B by 2030.
- Capsules form held 55.3% fish oil market volume share in 2022.
- Australia fish oil market valued USD 120M in 2023, CAGR 6.1%.
- B2B sales 65% of global fish oil market in 2023.
- Canada fish oil production market share 12% globally in 2022.
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
The global fish oil market is swimming in money, with a projected $14.8 billion catch by 2030 driven by our collective dread of mortality, North America's obsession with supplements, and China's insatiable aquaculture, despite krill and algae nibbling at the edges of our conscience.
Production and Supply Chain
- Peru produced 320,000 metric tons of fish oil in 2022, 28% of world supply.
- Norway exported 250,000 tons of fish oil in 2023, primarily to EU aquaculture.
- Chile's fishmeal and oil production reached 1.4 million tons in 2022, with oil at 35% yield.
- Global wild-caught anchovy landings for fish oil were 2.1 million tons in 2023.
- Denmark refines 15% of world's fish oil, processing 180,000 tons annually in 2022.
- Iceland fish oil output 85,000 tons in 2023 from capelin and herring.
- Vietnam aquaculture feed used 120,000 tons fish oil in 2022.
- Morocco sardine processing yielded 150,000 tons fish oil in 2023.
- U.S. imports 95% of its fish oil, mainly from Peru and Ecuador in 2022.
- EU fish oil production 220,000 tons in 2023 from by-products and trimmings.
- South Africa horse mackerel supplied 40,000 tons for fish oil in 2022.
- Thailand processed 90,000 tons imported crude fish oil into refined in 2023.
- Greenland halibut by-products generated 12,000 tons fish oil equivalent in 2022.
- Russia herring fishery produced 75,000 tons fish oil in 2023.
- Ecuador anchovy quota for fish oil 450,000 tons in 2023 season.
- Faroe Islands salmon trimmings yield 50,000 tons fish oil annually.
- Turkey imports 60,000 tons crude fish oil yearly for feed refining.
- New Zealand hoki fishery oil production 18,000 tons in 2022.
- Mauritius skipjack processing for oil 25,000 tons in 2023.
- Baltic Sea sprat oil extraction 35,000 tons from 2022 catches.
- Malaysia refines 40,000 tons fish oil for local aquaculture in 2023.
- Namibia pilchard stocks supported 28,000 tons oil production 2022.
- Sweden by-product fish oil from pelagic fish 22,000 tons annually.
- Philippines bangus farming consumed 15,000 tons fish oil in 2023.
- Scotland mackerel landings yielded 30,000 tons oil in 2022.
- Indonesia tuna by-products for oil 45,000 tons processed 2023.
Production and Supply Chain Interpretation
Peru may be the undisputed anchovy baron of the fish oil world, but this pungent gold relies on a globe-trotting network of refiners, farmers, and by-product scavengers to actually get to our tables and tanks.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
- Global fish oil production uses 15-20% of total marine capture fisheries biomass.
- Over 90% of fish oil comes from wild-caught small pelagic fish like anchovy and sardine.
- IFFO RS certified fish oil supply chain covers 75% of global volume in 2023.
- Peruvian anchovy fishery for fish oil certified MSC sustainable since 2018, quota 1.75M tons.
- Fish oil production contributes to 5-10% marine phosphorus recycling globally.
- EU landings obligation reduced fish oil by-product waste by 30% since 2019.
- Global fish oil GHG emissions average 1.5 kg CO2eq per kg product in 2022 LCA.
- 40% of fish oil now from trimmings and by-products, reducing wild catch pressure.
- Norwegian salmon farming by-products supply 25% sustainable fish oil in 2023.
- Overfishing risk low for fish oil species, biomass 120% of target in key stocks.
- Fish oil alternatives like camelina oil replace 20% in EU salmon feed 2023.
- Marine Stewardship Council certifies 60% of fish oil raw materials in 2023.
- Discards reduction initiatives increased fish oil by-product yield by 15% in North Sea.
- Fish oil supply chain water footprint 2.5 m3/kg, lower than plant oils.
- 2023 stock assessments show 85% fish oil species sustainably fished.
- Blockchain traceability implemented in 30% fish oil supply from Peru 2023.
- Fish oil production energy use 15 MJ/kg, optimized by 20% since 2015.
- ASC certified aquaculture uses 50% responsibly sourced fish oil in 2023.
- Plastic pollution in fish oil processing reduced 40% via new filters in Norway.
- Global initiative recycled 100,000 tons fish waste into oil 2023.
- Fish oil omega-3 yield efficiency improved 12% with new extraction tech 2022.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact Interpretation
The fish oil industry paints a picture of cautious progress, where its heavy reliance on wild-caught anchovies is increasingly balanced by a genuine, if imperfect, push for certification, by-product use, and efficiency gains that are slowly making its footprint more sustainable.
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