Carrageenan is a red seaweed extract that is used as a food additive. It's sometimes used as a thickening agent by manufacturers. It is a natural additive derived from red seaweed or Irish moss that is used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve beverages and foods.
Carrageenan is a soluble fiber that helps low-sugar and low-fat foods taste as good as their sugar counterparts, making them more nutritious. Furthermore, it aids in the stabilization of food and drinks by keeping them from separating; for example, without carrageenan, chocolate would settle at the bottom of chocolate milk.
Carrageenan is commonly used in meat and dairy products due to its heavy binding to food proteins. Consumers all over the world are becoming more conscious about the ingredients in the processed foods they eat. Most customers are now attempting to choose natural foods over refined foods containing synthetic or artificial ingredients because they are considered to be better. Since they are made from natural sources such as palm, sunflower, or soybean oils, they are thought to be the perfect alternative to artificial additives.
The rising consumption of processed foods is a major driver of the global carrageenan market's expansion. The demand is expected to increase due to its gelling, stabilizing, and thickening properties in the bakery & confectionery, beverages, dairy, and beverages industries, which are expected to drive the market. The need for a gelatin substitute that is not derived from animals is expected to drive demand for carrageenan in the vegetarian and vegan food industry.
Growing consumer demand for natural and organic ingredients is influencing the market growth. However, numerous health effects associated with carrageenan, such as the potential to cause bloating, inflammation, and skin allergy, may restrict carrageenan's use by food manufacturers, hampering the market's development.
Some government bodies, such as the National Organic Standards Board, recently voted to withdraw it from their list of approved ingredients, and foods containing it would no longer be labeled as USDA organic. This could have a negative impact on consumption, and the global market is expected to suffer as a result.
The Asia-Pacific region dominates the global market due to abundant production in countries such as China, the Philippines, and India. It is used in a variety of industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and others. Europe is another region where the market witnessing substantial growth.
Carrageenan is primarily processed in countries such as Denmark and France, with demand for the commodity growing throughout Europe. The United States is a major exporter of carrageenan, with the demand in North America growing at a faster rate than the global average.
With the growing demand for food and beverages, as well as rising low-fat food intake to avoid sugar-related problems, the carrageenan market in the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America is expected to rise significantly. Increased spending on high-quality, natural personal care and beauty products by urban consumers is expected to boost the regional market growth.
Deep-dive Insights on Carrageenan Market by Polaris Market Research: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/carrageenan-market/request-for-sample