Duckweed Protein Market Size – By Species, Form, End Use, Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2025-2034

Duckweed Protein Market Size

The global duckweed protein market was valued at USD 72.7 million in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 7.9% from 2025 to 2034, due to its unique advantages of being an ecological, modern day, nutrient rich source of plant-based protein. It possesses a high content of all essential amino acids. Duckweed is a multi-purpose aquatic plant that is used in supplements, functional foods, animal feeds, aquaculture and even catering.
 

Nowadays, more and more people are aware of the need to shift toward a diet hotter on plants, and the advancement in cultivation and extraction technology indicates an expansion for the market. There is a great deal of research and development work to be done, but it seems that Duckweed will be the main source of the plant-based protein market.
 

According to Statista, the market size for plant protein is estimated to be USD 17.4 billion in 2027. Compared to the USD 12.2 billion in 2022. This indicates an increase of more than seven billion U.S. dollars. From 2013 to 2018, there was rise in the production of plant-based protein products in Europe and Russia of around 500,000 thousand metric tons. Plant-based products are gaining popularity for many reasons.
 

According to a survey conducted in India, more than half of the respondents said that they will opt for plant-based food products over animal-based products because they follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. Plant based protein provide ethical, sustainable, animal cruelty free and tastier alternative to animal-based protein. Duckweed protein is gaining popularity due to its rich amino acid profile also they provide superior digestibility compared to other protein sources like pea and soy.  This rise in popularity of plant proteins provide huge opportunities for market.
 

Duckweed Protein Market Trends

Surge in Interest of Sustainable Protein Sources-With duckweed's sustainability production and food security challenges, its commercial cultivation as a sustainable, high yield protein source is being paid more attention to. Duckweed has a high growth rate compared to soybeans and other crops, along with requiring much less land, water, and fertilizers which makes it desirable to socially responsible food producers and consumers, this in turn, is driving growth of the market.


Growing Interest in Plant Based and Functional Foods- The change towards a more vegan diet focusing on nutrition has caused an increase in the supply and demand of duckweed protein throughout the food and drink industry. Duckweed has many benefits as a protein source because it contains high amounts of essential amino acids, fiber, and antioxidants. Additionally, duckweed protein is used in the manufacture of protein powders, meat substitutes, and fortified foods.


Widespread Usage in Animal Feed and Aquaculture- The use of duckweed protein in animal feeding and aquaculture is increasing as a substitute for fishmeal and soy protein which are too expensive and have negative environmental consequences. Apart from saving costs, duckweed protein can also be derived from livestock, poultry, and fish farming which are now more self-sustaining due to the high protein content and fast growth cycle of duckweed.


Changes on Bioprocessing and Commercialization- Foodtech startups and biotech companies seem to be developing advanced methods for protein extraction and make duckweed protein readily available. On the flipside, current research is directed into mass extraction of protein from duckweed's food-grade nitrogen source, to increase yield and purity.


Support within Industry and Initiatives from the Government-The funding incentives through tax breaks or policies to reduce carbon emissions actively invite the transition to alternative proteins and sustainable farming practices. With the increased focus on climate friendly diets, it is hopeful that legislative approvals together with the rules for industrial utilization of duckweed protein in food/feed/industrial products will happen swiftly.
 

Duckweed Protein Market Analysis

In terms of species, the duckweed protein market is segmented into lemna minor (common duckweed), spirodela polyrhiza (great duckweed), wolffia globose, and others. Lemna minor (common duckweed) remains the most dominant species of the duckweed market generating USD 24.4 million revenue in the year 2024.
 

Duckweed protein is in high demand from various quarters, regionally and globally, with Lemna minors commanding a significant percentage of the market due to their fast growth, high protein yield and adaptability to wide range of water and climate conditions. In addition to these factors, the industry has high demand since Lemna minors can, in a few days, nearly double the amount of biomass. This strengthens a shift from animal to plant proteins further enables better farming practices.
 

Based on form the market is segmented into the powder, liquid, & paste. Powder hold a dominant market share of 66.3% in 2024. The duckweed protein market is seeing the most growth in the powdered segment which is expected to outpace all others. With the increase in preference for alternatives to animal protein, the food and beverage industry is looking for duckweed protein powder for use in fortification of shakes, energy bars, and other functional foods. Its lightweight and ease of transport and storage overcome logistical issues apparent in other forms of the product.
 

Based on end use the duckweed protein market is segmented into food processing, animal & fish feed, and others. food processing holds a dominant market share of 56.9 % in 2024. The plant-based protein market is growing because there is always increase in demand of nutrient dense diet from the consumers. Therefore, food processing becomes the largest and the most dynamic category in duckweed protein. A significant proportion of consumers in the protein market seek plant-based vegan, dairy or meat free alternatives to soy, pea, chicken and pulse proteins. There is also a shift towards healthy eating nowadays which has increased the need for green non allergic food products.

The U.S. duckweed protein market was valued at USD 18.1 million in 2024. USA market is on the rise due to improved understanding of contemporary market trends gained through analytics. The increasing population in America, especially the vegans and Flexitarians, entail that non-animal sources of protein will be needed, thus pushing the market further. In North America, government-sponsored campaigns for cleaner label foods and more sustainable farming are driving the adoption of duckweed protein in Canada. Alongside the health and eco-consciousness, consumers are shifting the food producers and agricultural firms to hasten their duckweed production facilities investment.
 

As more Americans shift toward a vegan lifestyle, it is clear that veganism is changing, all available information hints towards a considerable rise in people adopting veganism. Recent data indicates that 5% of the American population identifies as vegetarian while 3% self-identify as vegan. The numbers are now an astounding jump from just 2% of the population identifying as vegan in 2012, showcasing a clear pattern of growth for the vegan population.
 

Increased adoption of veganism comes from the increased access to plant-based food in supermarkets and restaurants. More and more fast food and dine in restaurants are now offering vegan options in addition to the wide array of plant-based products grocery stores carry. It has never been easier to adopt a vegan lifestyle. This rise in vegan population will in turn increase demand for duckweed protein in U.S.
 

Duckweed Protein Market Share

The top 5 companies in the duckweed protein industry includes Plantible Foods, SETA Organics, Parabel, Barentz, and Hinoman. To gain competitive advantage manufacturers are opting for merger and acquisitions or new product launch. Plantible Foods, which is a San Diego based company has emerged as a fully integrated lemna or duckweed’s RuBisCo protein extractor, has raised USD 30 million in a Series B funding round with contributions from Piva Capital and Siddhi Capital.
 

This new capital will help Plantible broaden its manufacturing operations to satisfy the unlimited supply for its proteins that are sustainable and multifunctional for plant-based alternatives, bread, gluten free products, pasta, and many more.
 

Founder and CEO Tony Martens Fekini shared that this funding will allow them to increase their manufacturing scope to unmatched levels and accept the soaring reality of demand for their Rubi Protein.
 

In February 2024, microTERRA expanded its portfolio of plant-based functional ingredients for the food industry with the launch of Flora, a protein derived from Lemna, an aquatic plant commonly referred to as duckweed. This Mexican startup aims to innovate with plant-based ingredients functional for food industrial processing.
 

Flora, microTERRA’s latest ingredient, increases the perception of sweetness which allows for a reduction in the quantity of sugar used in food and beverages without compromising on taste and texture. Flora helps improve people's health by helping to reduce food sugars while the consumer experience remains the same.
 

Flora also has other features depending on the application. It can improve flavor, unmask undesirable flavor, enhance the mouthfeel of the products, or improve the texture. In the words of the company, “Flora helps the food and beverage industry produce wholesome and environmentally friendly products ranging from ice cream, sugar-sweetened beverages to plant-based foods.
 

In October 2023, notable leader in functional ingredient solution foods manufacturing, ICL Food Specialties, in collaboration with Plantible Foods which operates a vertically-integrated biology platform, announced a groundbreaking edible label binding solution for plant-based meat and seafood products. Rubi Protein powered ROVITARIS Binding Solution is a functional protein blend that is capable of replacing majority of the chemically processed binders used in both meat and seafood formulations and does so without the loss of taste and texture.
 

This launch is part of a multi-year commercial agreement that Plantible and ICL signed to develop some of the first food systems enabled with RuBisCO technology. Rubi protein is derived from duckweed. The two collaborated on the development and design of new plant-based ingredient toolkits and are looking forward to commercializing this innovation.
 

Duckweed protein Market Companies

Major players operating in the duckweed protein industry are: 

• Barentz
• Bio Healthife
• Hinoman
• LemPro
• Parabel
• Plantible Foods
• SETA Organics
• Xi'an Healthway Biotech
   

Duckweed Protein Industry News

• In November 2019, DryGro, a UK start-up cultivating a high-protein variety of duckweed known as Lenma, has completed the first tranche of their Series A investment totaling USD 1.7 Million. As stated by DryGro COO Kate Jarvis, Lemna's biomass in DryGro's production system roughly doubles every two days. This increases DryGro's capacity to grow animal feed protein eight times more than soya beans.
   
• In February 2025, duckweed gained European Union approval as a novel food.  the approval of duckweed, Lemna minor and Lemna gibba, for human consumption marks an important milestone not only for European food diversification efforts but also the proactive measures taken to address Europe's food security challenge. This decision comes after an extensive assessment of risk, regulation and compliance duckweed qualifies as a sustainable, robust food ingredient as a protein source.
   
• Union novel foods list was expanded to include duckweed, Lemna minor and Lemna gibba along with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/153 adopted on January 29, 2025, allowing the marketing of these dwarf aquatic plants as food in the EU region.
   
• The latter is preceded by the approved placing on the market of protein concentrates of duckweed, Lemna gibba and Lemna minor procured through Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1048 on April 9, 2024. In addition, the European Commission in 2021 earlier lifted the check ban on Wolffia species duckweeds which are part of traditional Thai cuisine.
   

This duckweed protein market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) & volume (Kilo Tons) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

Click here to Buy Section of this Report

Market, By Species

• Lemna minor (common duckweed)
• Spirodela polyrhiza (great duckweed)
• Wolffia globose
• Others

Market, By Form

• Powder
• Liquid
• Paste

Market, By End Use

• Food processing
• Animal & fish feed
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa