Krill Oil Supplements Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Liquids, Softgels, Capsules), By Application (Dietary Supplements, Animal Feed, Functional Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Others), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Drug Stores & Pharmacies, Online Retailers, Others), By Region, By Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 0.95 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.42%
Fastest Growing Segment	Online Retailers
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 1.46 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Krill Oil Supplements Market will grow from USD 0.95 Billion in 2025 to USD 1.46 Billion by 2031 at a 7.42% CAGR. Krill oil supplements are nutraceutical products derived from Antarctic krill, distinguished by containing omega-3 fatty acids bound to phospholipids and the antioxidant astaxanthin, which purportedly offer superior bioavailability compared to traditional fish oils. The primary drivers propelling the market include a rising global emphasis on preventative cardiovascular health and an increasing consumer preference for sustainably certified marine ingredients. Furthermore, the demand for highly absorbent nutrient forms continues to support adoption among health-conscious populations seeking efficient alternatives to standard triglyceride-based options.

However, the industry faces a significant challenge regarding supply chain constraints due to rigorous environmental regulations that limit harvest volumes to protect the Antarctic ecosystem. These strict caps can restrict raw material availability and impact production stability as demand scales. Illustrating this supply pressure, according to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, in the 2023/24 fishing season, the total industrial harvest of Antarctic krill reached 498,350 tonnes. This volume approaches the precautionary trigger levels that mandate fishery closures, highlighting the tension between growing market demand and ecological supply limits.

Key Market Drivers

Rising awareness of omega-3 benefits for cardiovascular and cognitive health is a primary force propelling the market, as consumers increasingly seek the superior bioavailability offered by krill oil’s phospholipid-bound fatty acids. This heightened focus on preventative healthcare has spurred demand for high-efficiency nutrient forms over traditional triglyceride-based options, driving growth in the human nutrition segment. Underscoring this momentum within the broader industry, according to the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s, September 2024, in the '2024 Global EPA and DHA Omega-3 Ingredient Market Report', the total global volume of omega-3 ingredients reached 124,480 metric tons in 2023. Specific to krill oil performance, according to Aker BioMarine, July 2024, in the 'Second quarter and half-year report 2024', revenue for the company's Human Health Ingredients segment rose to USD 25.4 million, reflecting a 22% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.

Concurrently, growing pet ownership and the demand for premium animal feed supplements are significantly expanding the sector's scope beyond human consumption. Pet owners are progressively humanizing animal diets, integrating high-grade krill meal to enhance the coat, joint, and heart health of companion animals, while the aquaculture industry relies on these ingredients for sustainable growth. The immense commercial value placed on this segment is evident in recent major corporate activities. According to Aker BioMarine, July 2024, in the company's transaction announcement, the Feed Ingredients business was divested for an enterprise value of USD 590 million, highlighting the substantial market valuation and strategic importance of krill applications in animal nutrition.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary impediment hampering the growth of the Global Krill Oil Supplements Market is the rigid supply chain constraint imposed by environmental harvest limits. While consumer demand for high-bioavailability omega-3s is surging, the industry is physically prevented from scaling operations due to strict conservation quotas designed to protect the Antarctic ecosystem. This regulatory ceiling creates a fundamental disconnect between market potential and raw material availability, as manufacturers cannot legally increase catch volumes to meet the rising order intake. Consequently, companies face significant inventory uncertainty and are unable to guarantee the consistent long-term supply volumes required by major retailers.

This limitation acts as a hard brake on market expansion, neutralizing the benefits of rising consumer interest. According to the Association of Responsible Krill harvesting companies (ARK), in 2024, the industry continued to operate under a strict precautionary trigger level of 620,000 tonnes for the primary Atlantic sector fishing grounds. Because the actual harvest volume is consistently nearing this fixed cap, the market effectively lacks the elasticity to grow. This specific regulatory threshold forces a stagnation in production output, directly stalling revenue growth and deterring new market entrants who fear supply instability.

Key Market Trends

The proliferation of novel delivery formats, particularly gummies and flavored liquids, is fundamentally reshaping the market by addressing consumer "pill fatigue" and sensory aversions associated with traditional softgels. Manufacturers are increasingly utilizing advanced emulsification technologies to incorporate krill oil into palatable, chewable bases without compromising stability, thereby expanding the demographic to include younger adults and active consumers seeking convenient nutrition. This diversification is supported by a recovering raw material supply chain, which allows brands to innovate beyond standard encapsulation. Reflecting this robust industrial activity, according to the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s, September 2025, in the '2025 Global EPA and DHA Omega-3 Ingredient Market Report', the total global volume of omega-3 raw materials reached 131,183 metric tons in 2024, enabling sustained production of these varied consumer formats.

Simultaneously, the emergence of beauty-from-within and nutricosmetic applications is positioning krill oil as a premium ingredient for skin health and hydration. Leveraging the natural presence of the antioxidant astaxanthin and phospholipids, brands are marketing these supplements to enhance skin barrier function and moisture retention, effectively bridging the gap between dermatology and nutrition. This high-value positioning has catalyzed financial growth within the human nutrition sector as companies secure specific regulatory claims for skin benefits in key international markets. Validating the commercial momentum of these specialized health applications, according to Aker BioMarine, October 2025, in the 'Third Quarter 2025 Report', revenue for the Human Health Ingredients segment increased to USD 30.2 million, driven by strong volume growth and product mix optimization.

Segmental Insights

The Online Retailers segment constitutes the fastest growing distribution channel within the Global Krill Oil Supplements Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the increasing consumer preference for the convenience of digital shopping platforms that offer extensive product comparisons and competitive pricing. Furthermore, e-commerce marketplaces provide access to a diverse range of international brands that are often unavailable in physical retail stores. Consequently, the ease of home delivery and the ability to verify product certifications through detailed digital descriptions appeal to health-conscious buyers, thereby accelerating the adoption of online purchasing methods for these nutritional supplements.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global krill oil supplements market primarily due to high consumer awareness regarding omega-3 fatty acids and their benefits for cardiovascular health. This dominance is supported by a well-developed retail infrastructure for dietary supplements and the active presence of key industry manufacturers. Furthermore, regulatory oversight by the United States Food and Drug Administration ensures product safety standards, which fosters significant consumer confidence. The increasing focus on preventative healthcare and the management of chronic lifestyle conditions continues to sustain strong demand throughout the region.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025, a collaborative study conducted by the University of Glasgow and Aker BioMarine was published in the journal Obesity, revealing that krill oil supplementation can help preserve muscle mass during weight loss. The clinical trial demonstrated that participants who took krill oil while adhering to a calorie-restricted, alternate-day fasting regimen maintained significantly greater muscle strength and mass compared to the placebo group. These findings offered a breakthrough for the Global Krill Oil Supplements Market by identifying a novel application for the ingredient in weight management. The research suggested that krill oil could mitigate the adverse muscle loss often associated with diet-induced weight reduction, addressing a critical concern for consumers using modern weight-loss interventions.
• In August 2024, Aker BioMarine and the University of Sunderland published new research findings in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology regarding the dermatological benefits of krill oil supplementation. The data, derived from two randomized, double-blind pilot studies, indicated that daily consumption of krill oil supplements significantly improved skin hydration, elasticity, and water retention in healthy adults. These results suggested that the specific lipid profile of krill oil, which includes phospholipids and omega-3 fatty acids, effectively strengthens the skin barrier function. This scientific development provided the company with validated evidence to support new product applications in the "beauty-from-within" segment of the Global Krill Oil Supplements Market.
• In July 2024, Aker BioMarine entered into a definitive agreement to divest its feed ingredients business to a new entity formed by American Industrial Partners and Aker Capital in a transaction valuing the unit at USD 590 million. This strategic restructuring was executed to allow the company to focus its resources and operational capabilities exclusively on the human health and nutrition market. By separating the feed division, the company aimed to streamline its business model and accelerate growth in its core krill oil supplements and consumer health ingredients segments. The proceeds from the sale were designated to refinance debt and enhance shareholder value within the dedicated human nutrition enterprise.
• In May 2024, NYO3 International introduced a new premium dietary supplement, NYO3 Royal-boost Antarctic Krill Oil, during the Vitafoods Europe exhibition held in Geneva. This product launch featured a formulation containing a high concentration of 1300mg of krill oil per capsule, utilizing proprietary water-soluble technology intended to maximize the absorption of marine phospholipids. The introduction of this supplement was part of the company's broader strategy to expand its presence in the high-end sector of the Global Krill Oil Supplements Market. The launch highlighted the growing demand for highly bioavailable omega-3 solutions and leveraged the company's strategic partnership for sustainable raw material sourcing from Antarctic waters.

Key Market Players

• Aker BioMarine ASA
• Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc.
• Rimfrost As
• Schiff Nutrition International Inc
• Norwegian Fish Oil AS.
• Qingdao New Life Biotechnology Co Ltd
• NWC Naturals Inc.
• Nutracode LLC

By Product	By Application	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Liquids Softgels Capsules	Dietary Supplements Animal Feed Functional Food & Beverages Pharmaceuticals Others	Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Drug Stores & Pharmacies Online Retailers Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Krill Oil Supplements Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Krill Oil Supplements Market, By Product:

• Liquids
• Softgels
• Capsules

• Krill Oil Supplements Market, By Application:

• Dietary Supplements
• Animal Feed
• Functional Food & Beverages
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

• Krill Oil Supplements Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Drug Stores & Pharmacies
• Online Retailers
• Others

• Krill Oil Supplements Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE