Agar Agar Flakes Market

Agar Agar flakes market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

Agar is used as a gelling agent in the food industry, providing structure and texture to products such as jellies, jams, ice cream, and yogurt. It is also used as a thickener in soups, sauces, and puddings. Moreover, it is a vegan alternative to gelatine, making it a popular choice for vegetarian and vegan recipes. It is also used as a stabilizer in processed foods such as cream cheese, margarine, and whipped cream.

Due to many factors, including rising disposable income and people's experimentation with eating habits, the food business has recently experienced tremendous development. In recent years, this has exacerbated the need for a number of food ingredients. One such ingredient, agar flakes, has been shown to gain a lot of popularity recently.

The global bakery industry is on the rise, and several newer types of bakery products are being seen in bakery retail spaces. This is one of the key factors augmenting the demand. Legacy markets in North America and Europe have been the frontrunners in generating demand, though the recent surge in consumer food and beverage spending in emerging countries in Asia and Africa is being seen as a catalyst for the growth of the market.

What are the drivers of demand for the market?

Vegan, Non-GMO, and labeled transforming the future of the food sector

Veganism is an emerging lifestyle majorly followed by consumers these days due to the popularity of forging all types of animal food products in their diet. The voluntary adoption of a vegan diet is increasing across the globe. As per a survey done to know the age-wise vegan population in the U.S. in 2021.

The demand for vegan foods is growing as more people voluntarily adopt a radical lifestyle change. A vegan logo or label indicates if a raw ingredient or processed food product is made entirely of plants or whether it has been around since the early 1990s. There are numerous labels for vegan ingredients on the market, and each label has a unique registration procedure, certification type, on-site certification requirements, and registration fee.

Owing to health and wellness reasons many people are switching to a plant-based diet where people are concerned with their nutrition and protein intake too. Often plant-based products mimic animal products in terms of health benefits, textures, and taste.

The preference of consumers towards products labelled as organic and non-GMO is evident. This is attributed to changing dietary habits toward vegan, paleo, and keto. Agar flakes, being an algae-derived emulsifier, has been preferred by those following vegan and keto diets as nutritional and fulfilling ingredients for confectionary usage. The usage of agar flakes and powders has seen an increase in the healthcare and nutraceutical sectors. Agar agar flakes are converted to create vegan capsule shells. In the healthcare industry, agar flakes are usually used by dental practitioners for making dental impressions.

The development of pet food using agar flakes is a recent development. The previously used carrageenan, a natural food ingredient in wet pet food, has been shown to have a negative impact on the health of pets. Gel derived from agar flakes is used in place of carrageenan. The use of agar flake gel in pet food has shown to have low to negligible allergenic outcomes.

What are concerns associated with the agar that are likely to hinder growth?

It’s necessary to consume agar with a sufficient amount of water if it doesn’t happen it can result in swelling and even block the esophagus. Medical attention will be necessary if chest pain and vomiting occurs. These cautions may hinder the sales of products containing agar flakes in the forecast period. It’s considered safe if taken with a minimum of 8 ounces of water. It’s often advised to consult with a doctor before taking agar in case of newborns, children, and pregnancy.

Region-wise Insights

Agar Flakes to Boost Shoreline Economies

Seaweed and sea vegetables are used to make agar flakes, which has increased the number of shoreline producers. Japan, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and South Korea are notable agar flake producers. The commerce of plant-based thickeners like agar flakes and comparable goods has benefited these regions' economies.

Because more people are using high-quality organic herbs, there has been a rise in the import of agar flakes into the North American market. The pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors have played a major role in the sale of goods like agar flakes in the European market.

Current key players in the agar flakes market are Selt Marine Group, ROKO, Meron, B&V, GELITA AG, DEKOBACK GmBH, Penn Herb Company, Eden Foods, TIC Gums, and others. To meet the increasing demand for alternative ingredients, companies are focused on increasing their portfolio of products.

Segmentation

• By Grade :

  • Food
  • Technical
  • Preactivate
  • Bacteriological
  • Cosmetic and Pharma

• By Claim :

  • Kosher
  • Organic
  • Non-GMO
  • Vegan
  • Standard

• By End-use Industry :

  • Food and beverage
  • Healthcare
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Nutraceuticals

• By Distribution Channels :

  • direct sales,
  • modern trade
  • convenience stores
  • specialty stores
  • small groceries
  • online retail
  • other sales channels.

• By Region :

  • North America 
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe 
  • Eastern Europe 
  • Asia Pacific 
  • Japan
  • Middle East and Africa