Dive Brief:

• The functional food and beverages segment in the global krill oil market is forecasted to be the second-highest contributor in terms of revenue, accounting for 12.2% by 2022, according to a report from Persistence Market Research. The segment is expected to register a CAGR of 13.1% between 2015 and 2022. The use of the ingredient will increase substantially as a result of consumer preferences for fortified food and beverages.
• Market growth is driven by consumers' quests for healthy lifestyles, for example, consuming omega-3 fatty acids in the form of supplements or food, in combination with a healthy diet.
• Restraints to market growth include high costs, lack of regulations, established and more familiar fish oil products, and lack of consumer awareness of krill oil.

Dive Insight:

Krill oil is well-known as a supplement with antioxidants such as astaxanthin and phospholipid-derived fatty acids, but it is increasingly used as an ingredient in functional foods and beverages, sports foods, and infant formula.

Aker BioMarine Antarctic announced in 2011 the FDA has accepted the notification of its independent GRAS determination for its krill oil for use as a food ingredient. The bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids in krill oil can be used in a number of food categories including beverages, cereals, cheeses, and dairy products, as well as dietary supplements.