Phycocyanin Market
Updated Date : 13 January 2026   |   Report Code : 5997

Phycocyanin Market Size, Growth, and Trends 2025 to 2035

The global phycocyanin market size is forecasted to reach from USD 236.54 million in 2026 to Hit USD 445.97 million by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2035. Rising consumer preference for clean-label, vegan, and algae-derived products is accelerating the adoption of phycocyanin in food & beverages, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

Last Updated: 13 January 2026 Category: Food & Beverages Ingredients Insight Code: 5997 Format: PDF / PPT / Excel

Phycocyanin Market Size 2025 to 2035

The global phycocyanin market size was calculated at USD 220.45 million in 2025 and is expected to grow steadily from USD 236.54 million in 2026 to reach nearly USD 445.97 million by 2035, with a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2035. The growth of the market is driven by increasing consumer demand for natural colors.

Phycocyanin Market Size 2025 to 2035

Key Highlights

  • By region, North America dominated the phycocyanin market revenue with 34% in 2025.
  • By region, Europe is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period.
  • By region, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a notable rate during the forecast period.
  • By nature, the conventional segment held a major market revenue in 2025.
  • By nature, the organic segment is projected to grow at a CAGR between 2026 and 2035.
  • By grade, the Phycocyanin E18 segment held a major market revenue in 2025.
  • By grade, the Phycocyanin E30 segment is projected to grow at a CAGR between 2026 and 2035.
  • By form, the powder segment held a major market revenue in 2025.
  • By form, the liquid segment is projected to grow at a CAGR between 2026 and 2035.
  • By end use, the food and beverage segment held a major market revenue in 2025.

Phycocyanin Industry Coverage

Study Coverage Details
Growth Rate from 2026 to 2035 CAGR of 7.3%
Market Size in 2026 USD 236.54 Million
Market Size in 2027 USD 253.81 Million
Market Size by 2035 USD 445.97 Million
Largest Market North America
Base Year 2025
Forecast Period 2026 to 2035
Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa

Market Overview

The phycocyanin market deals with a natural blue pigment-protein complex from red algae and cyanobacteria, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant, fluorescence and blue color, acting as a light-harvesting accessory pigment for photosynthesis and used as a biomedical tracer, nutraceuticals and natural food colorant. It also offers major health benefits against diabetes, cancer and inflammation.

The market is driven by factors such as the rising technological advancements in algae extraction and farming, increased use in regulatory bans on synthetic dyes and supplements or nutraceuticals, health-conscious consumers looking for natural ingredients and increasing consumer demand for natural food colorants

  • Industry Growth Overview: The market is a rapid and growing industry driven by the rising health awareness, demand for colorants in food and beverages and increasing demand for cheaper synthetic options. In addition, increasing consumer preference towards plant-based and clean label products, increasing use in pharma, supplements and nutraceuticals, used in drinks, dairy and confectionery, ingredients and new flavors are further expected to drive the market growth.
  • Increasing consumer trend towards sustainability: The sustainability in the market, focuses on sustainable packaging, waste reduction, responsible sourcing and eco-friendly production of algae, driven by reduced reliance on water/ land and consumer demand for clean-label foods to reduce energy and waste, aligning with ESG goals for cleaner ingredients and better health and meeting demand for natural colorants. In addition, rising innovations in natural and sustainable products further revolutionize the growth of the market.
  • Startup Ecosystem: The startup ecosystems in the market is focused on creating high-bioavailability and specialized products and developing sustainable production technologies to deal with developed large companies. Various startups are typically differentiated themselves via innovation in technology and sourcing.

Shift Towards Technological Advancements in the Phycocyanin Market

The rise of technological advancements in the market focus on enhancing extraction purity and efficiency, using methods such as supercritical fluids, enzymes and ultrasound to enable higher-grade products for pharma and reduce costs. Major innovations such as AI/automation for smarter production, microencapsulation for better stability in food and beverages, synthetic biology for enhanced yield and sustainable large-scale cultivation. These advancements are meeting demand for natural ingredients.

Trade Analysis of Phycocyanin Market: Import & Export Statistics

  • World imported 22 shipments of Phycocyanin from India during Apr 2023 to Mar 2024 (TTM), according to Global Import data. These imports were supplied by 2 Indian exporters to 10 buyers across the globe. World imports most of its Phycocyanin from Taiwan, China and India.

Value Chain Analysis of Phycocyanin Market

Raw Material Procurement

  • The raw material procurement in the phycocyanin industry focusing on securing high-quality and centered, significantly from major players, cost-effective supply chain, long term contracts for stable and clean-label ingredients. 
  • Major Players: GNT Group B.V., Givaudan SA, E.I.D, and DIC Corporation

Packaging and Branding

  • Branding and Packaging for global phycocyanin market strategies enhanced stability, sustainability and heavily emphasize clean labels to increase consumer demand for clean-labels, healthy and natural products.
  • Market Players: Ball Corporation, International Paper and WestRock

Waste Management and Recycling

  • The waste management and recycling in the phycocyanin industry focuses significantly include specialized food waste management firms and major environmental services companies that service food manufacturers across the globe. 
  • Major Players: Biffa plc, Republic Services, Inc. And Veolia Environment.

Phycocyanin Industry Regulatory Landscape: Global Regulations

Country Regulatory Body Key Regulations Focus Areas Notable Notes
India Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Safety Regulations) and Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Major focus areas in the phycocyanin market focuses on premium, clean-labels, high-quality and food and beverages industries and health-conscious, plant-based and clean-label food products  The phycocyanin industry is growing industry by expansion into diverse applications, increasing demand for organic and sustainable products, focus on nutritional benefits and premiumization and regulatory support.

Phycocyanin Market Regional Insights

How does North America Dominating the Phycocyanin Market?

North America dominated the market in 2025, driven by increasing product usage in major industries including food and beverages, personal care and pharmaceuticals, beverages and foods, with major players expanding production to enhance growth, especially as consumers seek clean-label and sustainable options. Various manufacturers are focusing on natural and clean-label colors, and increasing prevalence of health illnesses, with ongoing innovation in application and formulation.

North America Phycocyanin Market Size 2025 to 2035

The North America phycocyanin market size was calculated at USD 74.95 million in 2025 with projections indicating a rise from USD 80.42 million in 2026 to approximately USD 153.86 million by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 7.46% throughout the forecast period from 2026 to 2035.

North America Phycocyanin Market Size 2025 to 2035

The U.S. Phycocyanin Market Trends

The U.S. dominated the phycocyanin market revenue in 2025, driven by increasing consumer changing and busy lifestyles, waste reduction and digestive health, increasing prevalence of health illnesses, preference towards functional beverages, increasing use of products as anti-cancer ingredients, rising investment in drug development and increasing use in bakery, dairy items and  confectionery.

How Big is the U.S. Phycocyanin Market?

The U.S. phycocyanin market size estimated at USD 56.21 million in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 60.32 million in 2026 to nearly reaching USD 116.16 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 7.53% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2035.

 U.S. Phycocyanin Market Size 2025 to 2035

Europe is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period. The market growth in Europe is driven by factors such as the increasing demand for functional food, growing rapid urbanization, increasing consumer health awareness, increasing clean-label and sustainable products, rising technological innovation in new food production, demand for vegan and vegetarian population and changing and busy lifestyles. The UK, France and Germany are the fastest growing countries driving the market growth.

The U.K. Phycocyanin Market Trends

U.K. is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period. The market growth in the UK is driven by increasing consumer health awareness, increasing preference towards sustainable and innovative packaging, growing food and beverage industry, and increasing consumption of vegan and veganism. The UK is a major producer in the region, leveraging functional properties and strategic moves and offering various purities for health, clean-label and sustainable products.   

Why Does Asia Pacific Driving the Phycocyanin Market?

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a notable rate during the forecast period. The market growth is driven by the growing robust regional production by major players, increasing disposable incomes, increasing strong shift from synthetic colors in food and beverages, high consumer consciousness of its natural antioxidant properties and increasing consumer demand for health-focused and clean-label products. China, India and South Korea are the notable countries in the region.

India Phycocyanin Market Trends

The India phycocyanin market is experiencing strong growth, driven by rising consumer awareness of health, natural ingredients, and clean-label products. Phycocyanin a vibrant blue pigment extracted primarily from Spirulina algae is increasingly adopted as a natural food colorant in beverages, dairy, and confectionery, replacing synthetic dyes as consumers demand safer, plant-based alternatives.

 Phycocyanin Market Share, By Region, 2025 (%)

How does Middle East and Africa Driving Market Growth?

The phycocyanin market in Middle East and Africa is witnessing rapid growth, attributed to the rising investments in functional and aquaculture foods, rising plant-based trends, antioxidant properties, rising health awareness, strong food and beverage industries, and increasing demand for clean-label products, health supplements and natural blue food colorants. 

South Arabia Phycocyanin Market Trends

The phycocyanin market in South Arabia is currently at an emerging stage but showing promising growth trends, driven largely by increasing consumer preference for natural and clean-label ingredients in food, beverages, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. Rising health consciousness and demand for natural colorants as alternatives to synthetic additives are key trends supporting market adoption, especially in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

How does South America Driving the Market Growth?

The phycocyanin market in South America is witnessing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for antioxidant-rich ingredients in nutraceuticals, cosmetics and food and beverage, increasing health consciousness, and increasing consumer shift towards clean-label and natural products. Key factors also boosting the market include expanding applications, awareness of synthetic dye risks, and natural blue colorants.

Brazil Phycocyanin Market Trends

The phycocyanin market in Brazil is a growing and crucial industry, characterized by consumer interest in health benefits, consumer preference towards clean-label trends, increasing demand for natural ingredients in supplements and food and beverages. Major drivers include growing spirulina consumption, increasing health awareness and shift away from synthetic food colors, and further driving the market growth.

Phycocyanin Market Segmental Insights

Product Insights

Why is Conventional Nature Segment Dominating the Phycocyanin Market?

The conventional nature segment dominated the global market revenue in 2025. Conventional nature plays an important role in the global market significantly due to its large-scale, established production methods and cost-effectiveness. Conventional phycocyanin is widely used as a functional ingredient and natural blue colorant, due to its broader availability and affordability in a huge range of products such as animal feed and food and beverages. Major drivers include consumer pressure against synthetic colorants, stricter regulations, rising technological innovation in stabilization and extraction and rise of organic alternatives, further driving the market growth.

The Organic Nature Segment is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period.

The segment growth in the market is driven by factors such as increasing preference towards eco-friendly, organic and sustainable production, rise of plant-based and veganism trends, rising health consciousness, demand for high-quality and premium food supplement and rising innovation in personalized medicine and functional food and beverages.

Grade Insights

Why Does the phycocyanin E18 Segment Dominating the Phycocyanin Market?

The phycocyanin E18 segment dominated the global market revenue in 2025. The segment growth in the global market is driven by factors such as rising food technology advancements cost-effectiveness and improving extraction, rising widespread use in dairy, beverages and sweets, health consciousness and clean-label trends, and increasing demand for natural alternatives in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and food.

The Phycocyanin 30 Segment is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period.

The phycocyanin 30 plays an important role in the market due to vibrant blue, stable and premium colorant for clean-label nutraceuticals, cosmetics and food and beverages. The phycocyanin 30 also provides a highly sought, natural blue and vibrant as a clean-label alternative. 

Form Insights

What Factors Help Powder Segment to Grow in 2025?

The powder segment dominated the phycocyanin market revenue in 2025 and play a crucial role due to its high flexibility in dosing, ease of handling, longer shelf life and superior stability, making it ideal for pharma, cosmetics and food. Its ability to easily blended into several processed and products efficiently through spray or freeze drying, driving significant market share and enhancing its appeal over liquid forms. 

The Liquid Segment is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period.

The segment growth in the market is driven by the rise of better extraction technology, expanding applications in supplements, cosmetics and food, increasing health consciousness of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidants benefits, increasing consumer demand for clean-label and natural ingredients and rising improvements in algae extraction and cultivation methods enhance yield, purity, and production. 

End Use Insights

Why is Food and Beverage Segment Dominating the Phycocyanin Market?

The food and beverage segment dominated the global market revenue in 2025. The segment growth in the global market is driven by factors such as the rising advancements in algae cultivation improving cost-effectiveness and production efficiency, expanding applications in diverse range of products such as beverages, confectionery and dairy, increasing supportive regulatory approvals, demand for functional foods, and strong consumer shift towards clean-label and natural ingredients.

Recent Developments in the Phycocyanin Market

Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

  • Launch: In January 2026, the first stage of an on-line Lough Neagh data viewer was launched by DAERA, as part of ongoing initiatives to tackle blue green algae blooms on the Lough. The aim behind this launch was to enhance public knowledge and support ongoing research. (Source: Watermagazine)

Top Vendors in Phycocyanin Market & Their Offerings

  • DIC Corporation: The company is known for its investment in environmental upgrades at its large-scale Spirulina cultivation facilities. It maintains a dominant market share in North America and has a significant international presence across Asia and Europe, through its major brands.
  • Parry Nutraceuticals: The company offering a range of phycocyanin-based products, focuses heavily on the nutraceutical market and known for its specialization in high-purity phycocyanin extracts and sustainable sourcing practices.
  • Sensient Technologies Corporation (U.S.): The company allowing for broader application in heat- and light-sensitive food categories such as acidic beverages and baked goods and focuses on research and development to enhance the stability of phycocyanin products. 

Top Companies Lists

Segments Covered in the Reports

By Nature

  • Organic
  • Conventional

By Grade

  • Phycocyanin E18
  • Phycocyanin E25
  • Phycocyanin E30

By Form

  • Powder
  • Liquid

By End-use

  • Food & Beverages
  • Personal Care & Cosmetics
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Animal Feed
  • Others

By Region

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • MEA
  • Latin America
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  • Report Covered: [Revenue + Volume]
  • Historical Year: 2021-2023
  • Base Year: 2024
  • Estimated Years: 2025-2034

Meet the Team

Vidyesh Swar, Senior Research Analyst at Towards Food & Beverages, specializes in market research, focusing on supply-demand evaluation, pricing analysis, alternative proteins, plant-based foods, and sustainable food technologies within the industry.

Learn more about Vidyesh Swar

Aditi Shivarkar, with 14+ years in Food and Beverages market research, specializes in food, beverage, and eco-friendly packaging. She ensures accurate, actionable insights, driving Towards FnB's excellence in industry trends and sustainability.

Learn more about Aditi Shivarkar

Related Insights

FAQ's

Answer : The global phycocyanin market was valued at USD 220.45 million in 2025 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2026 to 2035, reaching nearly USD 445.97 million. Growth is fueled by rising consumer demand for natural food colorants, nutraceuticals, and functional ingredients.

Answer : North America led in 2025 due to high demand in food, beverage, and nutraceutical sectors. Europe is forecasted to grow fastest, driven by clean-label adoption, functional foods, and technological innovations, while Asia-Pacific shows notable growth due to Spirulina production expansion.

Answer : Market leaders like DIC Corporation, Parry Nutraceuticals, Sensient Technologies, and Givaudan dominate through high-purity production, sustainability initiatives, and global distribution, while startups innovate with advanced cultivation and extraction technologies.

Answer : Phycocyanin E18 led in 2025 due to broad use in food, beverages, and supplements. The E30 grade is projected to grow fastest, offering vibrant, stable color for clean-label, high-end nutraceuticals and cosmetics.

Answer : The conventional segment dominated in 2025 due to large-scale, cost-effective production. The organic segment is growing fastest, driven by consumer preference for eco-friendly, sustainable, and premium products.

Answer : The powder form dominated in 2025 due to ease of handling, stability, and flexible dosing. The liquid form is expected to grow fastest as technological improvements enhance solubility, bioavailability, and suitability for functional beverages and cosmetics.

Answer : Food and beverages dominate adoption due to the rising demand for natural blue colorants in confectionery, dairy, beverages, and bakery products. Functional and clean-label product trends further strengthen demand.

Answer : Sustainable algae cultivation, eco-friendly packaging, and waste reduction are key drivers. Companies adopting ESG-aligned practices see increased market acceptance and brand preference among health-conscious consumers.