Market overview
The global agar market is worth USD 345 mn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 546 mn by 2036, growing at a 4.7% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Food grade is the largest by grade segment.
| Scope | Agar from red seaweed in food, bacteriological, pharmaceutical and cosmetic grades, sold as powder, strips and flakes. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 330 mn |
| Value 2026 | USD 345 mn |
| Value 2036 | USD 546 mn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.7% |
| Volume 2026 | 14,855 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 19,291 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 23,210 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Agar market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 345 mn |
| 2027 | USD 361 mn |
| 2028 | USD 378 mn |
| 2029 | USD 396 mn |
| 2030 | USD 414 mn |
| 2031 | USD 434 mn |
| 2032 | USD 454 mn |
| 2033 | USD 476 mn |
| 2034 | USD 498 mn |
| 2035 | USD 521 mn |
| 2036 | USD 546 mn |
Agar market segmentation
By grade
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food grade | 70.0% | 67.6% | USD 241 mn | 4.3% |
| Bacteriological and biotech grade | 14.0% | 15.9% | USD 48 mn | 6.0% |
| Pharma and cosmetic grade | 16.0% | 16.5% | USD 55 mn | 5.0% |
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Confectionery and desserts | 28.0% | 26.3% | USD 97 mn | 4.1% |
| Dairy and meat | 22.0% | 20.7% | USD 76 mn | 4.1% |
| Bakery | 12.0% | 10.8% | USD 41 mn | 3.6% |
| Microbiology and biotech | 14.0% | 15.9% | USD 48 mn | 6.1% |
| Pharma and cosmetics | 10.0% | 10.4% | USD 34 mn | 5.1% |
| Vegan gelatin alternatives | 14.0% | 15.9% | USD 48 mn | 6.1% |
By source seaweed
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gracilaria | 52.0% | 50.0% | USD 179 mn | 4.3% |
| Gelidium | 34.0% | 33.0% | USD 117 mn | 4.4% |
| Other red seaweed | 14.0% | 17.0% | USD 48 mn | 6.8% |
By form
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder | 52.0% | 50.0% | USD 179 mn | 4.3% |
| Strips and flakes | 28.0% | 26.0% | USD 97 mn | 3.9% |
| Granules and liquid | 20.0% | 24.0% | USD 69 mn | 6.6% |
By gel strength
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 28.0% | 26.0% | USD 97 mn | 3.9% |
| Medium | 38.0% | 38.0% | USD 131 mn | 4.7% |
| High | 34.0% | 36.0% | USD 117 mn | 5.3% |
Top 25 countries for agar by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 70.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 91.6%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 48 mn | 14.0% | USD 77 mn | 4.8% |
| 2 | China | USD 41 mn | 12.0% | USD 76 mn | 6.2% |
| 3 | Japan | USD 34 mn | 10.0% | USD 45 mn | 2.8% |
| 4 | Spain | USD 21 mn | 6.0% | USD 30 mn | 3.8% |
| 5 | France | USD 21 mn | 6.0% | USD 30 mn | 3.8% |
| 6 | Germany | USD 17 mn | 5.0% | USD 25 mn | 3.8% |
| 7 | South Korea | USD 17 mn | 5.0% | USD 29 mn | 5.3% |
| 8 | United Kingdom | USD 14 mn | 4.0% | USD 20 mn | 3.9% |
| 9 | Indonesia | USD 14 mn | 4.0% | USD 27 mn | 6.8% |
| 10 | Italy | USD 14 mn | 4.0% | USD 20 mn | 3.9% |
| 11 | Canada | USD 14 mn | 3.9% | USD 27 mn | 7.1% |
| 12 | Chile | USD 10 mn | 3.0% | USD 16 mn | 4.6% |
| 13 | Morocco | USD 7.7 mn | 2.2% | USD 12 mn | 4.7% |
| 14 | Australia | USD 6.2 mn | 1.8% | USD 9.7 mn | 4.6% |
| 15 | Brazil | USD 5.2 mn | 1.5% | USD 8.2 mn | 4.6% |
| 16 | Mexico | USD 4.5 mn | 1.3% | USD 7.2 mn | 4.6% |
| 17 | India | USD 4.1 mn | 1.2% | USD 6.4 mn | 4.6% |
| 18 | Thailand | USD 3.7 mn | 1.1% | USD 5.8 mn | 4.7% |
| 19 | Vietnam | USD 3.4 mn | 1.0% | USD 5.3 mn | 4.7% |
| 20 | Netherlands | USD 3.1 mn | 0.9% | USD 4.9 mn | 4.6% |
| 21 | Belgium | USD 2.9 mn | 0.8% | USD 4.5 mn | 4.6% |
| 22 | Philippines | USD 2.7 mn | 0.8% | USD 4.3 mn | 4.7% |
| 23 | Portugal | USD 2.5 mn | 0.7% | USD 4.0 mn | 4.6% |
| 24 | Argentina | USD 2.4 mn | 0.7% | USD 3.8 mn | 4.5% |
| 25 | Peru | USD 2.3 mn | 0.7% | USD 3.6 mn | 4.7% |
| Rest of world | USD 29 mn | 8.4% | USD 44 mn | 4.2% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Hispanagar
- Industrias Roko
- Gelymar
- Marine Hydrocolloids
- Ina Food Industry
- Meron Biopolymers
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Agarmex
- B&V Agar
- Ceamsa
- Setexam
- HiMedia Laboratories
- Becton Dickinson
- Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Merck KGaA
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Qingdao Gather Great Ocean
- Qingdao Bright Moon Seaweed Group
- Agarindo Bogatama
- Java Biocolloid
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the agar market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.7% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by grade, by end use, by source seaweed, by form, by gel strength. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the agar market?
The global agar market is estimated at USD 330 mn in 2025 and USD 345 mn in 2026.
How fast will the agar market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 546 mn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.7% from 2026, an increase of USD 201 mn.
Which country is the largest market for agar?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 48 mn in 2026, 14.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 36.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, Indonesia is growing fastest at 6.8% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which agar segment is largest?
In the by grade split, Food grade is the largest segment with 70.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading agar companies?
Global leaders include Hispanagar, Industrias Roko, Gelymar, Marine Hydrocolloids.
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