The global duckweed market size reached a valuation of USD 89.4 million in 2025. The expanding nutritional value, increasing adoption in alternative proteins, biofuel production, and wastewater treatment applications are projected to be the market’s primary growth drivers. The overall market size of duckweed are projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 11.2% between 2025 to 2035, totalling around USD 256.7 million by the end of 2035.
From 2025 to 2035, the duckweed market is expanding to an unimaginable size for the manufacturers, as this seems to be the beginning of another cycle marked by the increase in uptake of plant protein proven sustainable sources, water purification and new energy sources.
Duckweed in its different forms has been concluded that it is very rich in protein and has the prospects of being a substitute in place of soy protein and other traditional protein types particularly for animal poultry and aquaculture and generally people food. The growth in the market of plant and alternative protein as well as the shift to climate-smart agricultural production practices will also stimulate the worldwide duckweed production and commercialisation.
Dietary supplements and healthy drinks are among the markets which camp intense use of duckweed, which owes up to the ever increasing market of functional products, corners, granules, protein closing vegan diet. They are very good options especially currently that more people are interested in organic foods and they do not wish to consume modified foods.
Duckweed is also being researched as a biodegradable dress using fruits and vegetables, where importance is also given to its functional properties - it should provide essential information and these should provide information about LEM.
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Estimated Global Duckweed Business Size (2025E) | USD 89.4 million |
| Projected Global Duckweed Business Value (2035F) | USD 256.7 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 11.2% |
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The table below presents a comparative assessment of the variation in CAGR over six months for the base year (2024) and the current year (2025) in the global duckweed market. This analysis provides insights into shifts in market performance, revenue realization patterns, and growth trajectory, offering stakeholders a comprehensive outlook on industry trends. The first half of the year (H1) spans from January to June, while the second half (H2) includes July to December.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 (2024 to 2034) | 10.8% |
| H2 (2024 to 2034) | 11.0% |
| H1 (2025 to 2035) | 11.1% |
| H2 (2025 to 2035) | 11.2% |
The above table presents the expected CAGR for the global duckweed demand space over a semi-annual period spanning from 2024 to 2035. In the first half (H1) of 2024, the business was projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.8%, followed by a slightly higher growth rate of 11.0% in the second half (H2) of the same year. Moving into 2025, the CAGR is projected to increase to 11.1% in H1 and further rise to 11.2% in H2, indicating a stable market expansion trend.
In the first half (H1 2025), the market witnessed an increase of 30 BPS, while in the second half (H2 2025), the market observed a similar increase of 10 BPS. These shifts indicate sustained growth, fueled by rising consumer demand for sustainable plant-based protein, increasing applications in wastewater treatment, and advancements in biofuel production.
Additionally, technological innovations in large-scale duckweed cultivation, sustainability-driven investments in alternative proteins, and optimized supply chain strategies are supporting the steady growth trajectory of the duckweed market.
Rising Demand for Alternative Protein Sources in Food and Animal Feed
The global paradigm shift towards alternate and sustainable protein sources is one of the key driving factors for the duckweed market. It is in tune with the growing interest among global consumers and their counterparts in the corporate and research spheres into issues of food security, environmental sustainability, and benefits in nutritional qualities of sustenance.
Duckweed is, in a broader scope, being recognized as a scalable and resource-efficient soy and pea replacement mainly because of up to 45%-protein content in dry weight, which is very rich amino acid meats and, unlike other plant-based proteins, can double up growth interceptions.
Foods and beverages nowadays are exploring duckweed protein isolates for a chance to come of all longings one might have for clean-label, minimally processed, highly nutritious foods, particularly in plant-based dairy and meat substitutes production.
But other than for human use, processing duckweed changes the usual day for animal husbandry in having protein-rich feed that is eco-friendly compared to conventional soy- and fishmeal-based feed. Duckweed meals are now getting into the fish and shrimp feeds of a fast-aquaculture sector.
This is primarily because duckweed is easy to digest, absolutely cost-effective, and has a very small carbon footprint, although the opportunities for earning financial gains have decreased. All of these are to promote various forms of such innovations, while also encouraging businesses to eliminate the need for deforestation as a practice and creating a low-carbon agriculture solution at local, regional, and global levels.
Expanding Role of Duckweed in Water Purification and Waste Management
The adoption of the Duckweed plant for wastewater treatment, bioremediation, and even in agricultural techniques that are environment friendly is also common due to the fact that it can remove a host of excessive, undesirable or harmful substances in water including bioaccumulation of metals.
Due to the high levels of water pollution experienced due to industrialization, overpopulation and land use change, governments and nongovernmental organizations are currently channeling resources to the restoration of duckweed grown wetlands. This area of water treatment is both preventive and restorative hence the reason its focus is so critical.
Duckweed is submerged inside the municipal effluent for nutrient removal prior to discharge into the water body. Those that includes excess of phosphorus in the effluent or the introduction of nitrogen into the water system is referred to as nutrient pollution instead of water pollution.
Such waste waters is distributed as irrigation in many parts of the world as is the practice in many pulp and paper mills where effluents are used for irrigation. Nitrogen input can also be upgraded in which nitrogen is dissolved in the water and used as nitrogen input for other crops as well.
Increased Investment in Sustainable Biofuel and Carbon-Neutral Energy Solutions
As companies and governments accelerate their net-zero carbon commitments, biofuel production from sustainable feedstocks has gained immense traction. Second-generation biofuels derived from non-food crops, algae, and aquatic plants like duckweed are expected to shape the future of clean energy. Duckweed’s high starch content (up to 40% dry weight), fast growth rate, and ability to thrive in wastewater environments make it an attractive feedstock for bioethanol and biodiesel production.
Several energy research institutions and biotechnology firms are investing in duckweed-based biofuel projects, leveraging genetic modification and metabolic engineering to enhance starch-to-ethanol conversion efficiency. Compared to corn- and sugarcane-based biofuels, which require significant agricultural land and freshwater resources, duckweed-based biofuels present a highly sustainable alternative, reducing the competition between food security and energy production.
The growing adoption of decarbonization policies, biofuel blending mandates, and government incentives for renewable energy will further drive the commercialization of duckweed-derived biofuels. Additionally, the use of duckweed in carbon sequestration and climate-resilient agriculture has gained attention, with corporations investing in nature-based solutions to offset carbon footprints.
Global Duckweed sales increased at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2020 to 2024. For the next ten years (2025 to 2035), projections are that expenditure on Duckweed will rise at 7.5% CAGR
Global duckweed market is estimated to grow annually with an outstanding 17.5% growth rate through 2024. Growth was largely attributed to its increased adoption as an alternative protein sources, in wastewater treatment, and biofuel production that was considered to be environmentally safe, thus offering attractive prospects.Wild duckweed, as such, has been very popular among those farming these alternative-meat birds.
Reasons will amount to the fact that the global food industry is quickly changing to plant-based, environmentally beneficial food alternatives. Duckweed has also captured global attention due to the high protein content (up to 45% dry weight) that competes against conventional crops like soy and wheat, apart from its very fast growth and less-essential resource needs. It is known to feature food-grade and industrial-scale applications that producers had begun building for using in the products above.
Duckweed has not only made its identification in animal feed sectors but has recently been evaluated in many other applications. Duckweed-derived protein powders have found promising emerging applications in the nutraceutical, animal feed, and food industries. Its use in turkey, ducks, and fish is well recognized by producers for prawns where its protein is easily digestible and yields almost the same performance as that produced by fishmeal.
2023 would find the market touching multi-billion-dollar margins and the most rapid growth going to be expected from North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions. Such things as regulations, consumer awareness, and technological advancements are going to characterize the growth trajectory of an industry; all of it would make duckweed a stimulating technology deeply convicted into the mainstream of all other industries.
The advancement of duckweed will be driven across numerous categories of products, such as bioprocessing technologies, advanced cultivation systems, and novel product formulations, to seed powerful control/influence in emerging duckweed markets, thereby making it very promising within the broader context of sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.
Tier 1 players in the global duckweed industry are multinational agribusiness, biotech, and alternative protein companies with over USD 1.5 billion in yearly revenues, holding 50% to 60% of the global market. These multinational players lead the commercialization of duckweed products through large-scale production, research-based innovations, and diversified revenue streams.
Their primary areas of focus are high-protein duckweed for human nutrition, environmentally friendly animal feed, biofuel production, and wastewater cleanup technologies. Top Tier 1 players like Cargill, ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), and DSM-Firmenich invest significantly in biotechnology breakthroughs, precision agriculture based on AI, and innovative extraction technologies to improve the nutritional and industrial uses of duckweed.
Tier 2 duckweed market participants have revenues of between USD 300 million and USD 900 million per year, with 30% to 35% market share. Tier 2 firms focus on domestic and regional distribution, developing scalable processing technologies for duckweed-based food, feed, and industrial products.
Leading Tier 2 firms such as Parabel USA, Hinoman Ltd., and GreenOnyx employ specialized cultivation techniques, local supply chain networks, and patented bioprocessing technologies to optimize duckweed protein extraction, bioactive compounds, and nutritional content. Tier 2 firms are increasingly entering plant-based protein markets, partnering with food producers, aquaculture feed firms, and clean energy firms to develop high-value duckweed-based substitutes for traditional protein sources.
Tier 3 duckweed companies are small-cap companies, R&D-oriented businesses, and specialty ingredient manufacturers that have annual top-line revenues below USD 300 million, a global market share of 10% to 15%. They specialize in targeted applications such as duckweed extracts suitable for use in pharmaceutical applications, high-priced nutraceuticals, bioactive ingredients, and high-margin animal feed compounds.
LemnaPro, Plantible Foods, and DryGro are some major Tier 3 companies, which use advanced biotechnology, hydroponics, and machine learning-based growing practices to optimize duckweed biomass yield, protein density, and bioavailability. They all operate mostly in pilot-scale production facilities and supply B2B premium marketplaces such as the sports nutrition market, premium animal feed, and medical nutrition segment.
| Countries | Market Value (2035) |
|---|---|
| United States | USD 98.7 million |
| Germany | USD 72.4 million |
| China | USD 61.8 million |
| India | USD 49.3 million |
There is increasing investment in alternative protein production, renewable energy, and wastewater treatment solutions, resulting in the United States emerging as the next key supplier in the duckweed market worldwide. It is suggested that most operations are already based in California, Florida, and Texas, where agribusinesses activities take place.
This is clear that the increasing demand for plant-based proteins and sustainable aquafeed is behind this recent growth in duckweed farming. For such materials, businesses need to obtain options for alternative protein, incorporating good efficiency without high-input costs (drew or melted) into various agrihydroponic/bioaqua systems.
Biofuel The USA is powering up its demand for biowaste duckweed by installing new biofuel policies and incentives that come with tax rebates, notably for high-starch future feedstocks that would feed-based demand for duckweed. Reasons behind the ducks being useful: the rate of growth and the degree of carbon sequestration when judged against these other traditional bio-fuel crops.
On the other hand, USA companies are significantly driven towards supplementary proteins and new energy. Phytoremediation with duckweed is already used in water treatment projects in areas located in polluted waters, where mentions in the territories of cities are made by private corporations as well as municipal water management authorities, making the USA stand out in capital investment in the fields of alternative protein and clean energy.
Duckweed shall witness the supply scaling up further to an industrial level because investment is heavy behind the ever growing green agriculture supported by biotechnological innovations.
The United Kingdom is becoming a key supplier of high-quality duckweed-based functional ingredients and aquafeed, fueled by rising consumer demand for plant-based nutrition, sustainable seafood, and eco-friendly agricultural practices. British agribusiness companies and alternative protein startups are focusing on scaling duckweed cultivation through controlled-environment farming to ensure consistent supply and nutrient retention.
The country’s strong regulatory framework supporting sustainable food production has led to increased funding for duckweed-derived protein isolates, which are being developed for use in nutraceuticals, functional foods, and high-protein meat alternatives.
The UK aquaculture sector, particularly salmon and trout farming, is also driving demand for duckweed as an alternative to soy-based aquafeed. As the industry faces sustainability challenges related to fishmeal supply and environmental concerns, the use of nutrient-dense duckweed protein in fish feed is gaining acceptance among commercial fish farms.
On the supply side, companies are investing in precision fermentation and enzymatic processing to optimize duckweed’s digestibility and amino acid profile, ensuring high-value feed formulations. With plant-based nutrition and aquaculture sustainability gaining traction, the UK’s duckweed supply chain is expected to expand through advanced farming technologies and strategic partnerships with food and feed manufacturers.
Germany leads in the cultivation of duckweed for organic agriculture, industrial bioprocessing, and clean-label food production, fueled by increasing consumer demand for sustainable, non-GMO ingredients and environmentally friendly farming practices. German agricultural cooperatives and biotech companies are increasing duckweed cultivation through automated hydroponic and closed-loop farming systems, allowing for year-round production with minimal environmental effects.
Due to the EU's robust regulatory drive for sustainable agriculture, German suppliers are promoting duckweed as an eco-friendly substitute for conventional crops, especially for organic fertilizers and soil enhancers.
Apart from agriculture, Germany's food processing and biotechnology sectors are incorporating bioactive compounds from duckweed into functional drinks, protein supplements, and plant-based dairy substitutes. The demand in the market for low-impact protein sources is providing chances for suppliers to create fermented duckweed proteins and extracts rich in antioxidants for application in sports nutrition and dietary supplements.
Moreover, Germany's emphasis on industrial bioprocessing for sustainable materials and compostable packaging is fostering research into bioplastics and bioadhesives derived from duckweed, broadening its impact on innovative sustainable materials. Germany's robust proficiency in supply chains for alternative proteins and green technology is anticipated to drive faster commercialization of the duckweed market, backed by investments in sustainable food and industrial uses.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Powder (Form Type) | 41.3% |
The worldwide appetite for duckweed powder is increasing, fueled by its rich protein levels, bioactive substances, and diverse uses in functional foods and alternative protein sources. Food producers and nutraceutical companies are looking for sustainable, plant-derived protein options, and duckweed powder is becoming a viable and environmentally friendly substitute for soy and pea protein isolates.
The clean-label trend and growing appetite for minimally processed, nutrient-rich food components are increasing interest in duckweed powder as a valuable ingredient in protein shakes, dietary supplements, and plant-based meat alternatives.
On the supply side, agribusiness and biotech companies are investing in cutting-edge drying and processing technologies to improve the stability, digestibility, and amino acid bioavailability of duckweed powder. As controlled-environment agriculture and hydroponic farming expand, suppliers guarantee a continuous year-round production cycle, enabling worldwide distribution to food producers, supplement companies, and alternative protein firms.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Animal & Aquatic Feed (Application) | 48.6% |
The global demand for duckweed in animal and aquatic feed is increasing as livestock and aquaculture industries seek nutrient-rich, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable alternatives to traditional feed ingredients. Duckweed’s high protein content (up to 45% dry weight), essential amino acid profile, and rapid growth cycle make it an ideal replacement for soy and fishmeal in poultry, cattle, and aquaculture feed formulations.
With supply chain disruptions affecting conventional feed ingredients, agribusiness firms and feed manufacturers are integrating duckweed-based formulations to ensure consistent and locally sourced feed solutions.
On the supply side, companies specializing in alternative proteins and sustainable feed solutions are expanding large-scale duckweed cultivation and bioprocessing technologies to optimize nutrient retention and digestibility. The aquaculture sector, particularly in salmon, tilapia, and shrimp farming, is increasingly adopting duckweed meal as a functional feed ingredient, promoting better fish growth rates, enhanced immunity, and reduced environmental impact.
With regulatory bodies supporting sustainable aquafeed solutions and livestock nutrition, the duckweed-based feed industry is poised for strong growth, driven by rising investments in alternative protein sources and climate-resilient farming practices.
The global duckweed market is becoming increasingly competitive, with leading agribusiness, biotechnology, and alternative protein companies investing in large-scale production, advanced processing technologies, and sustainability-driven applications. Market leaders are expanding R&D efforts in high-protein duckweed extracts, biofuel production, and phytoremediation solutions to meet rising global demand.
Companies are also forming strategic partnerships with food, feed, and energy industries to accelerate commercialization. With governments promoting alternative proteins and sustainable agriculture, industry players are leveraging precision farming, AI-driven cultivation, and bioengineering techniques to optimize duckweed yield and nutrient composition, reinforcing their market position through technological and regulatory advancements.
For instance:
The global duckweed market is projected to reach approximately USD 256.7 million by 2035, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.2% from 2025 to 2035.
Between 2020 and 2024, the duckweed market experienced a growth rate of 8.7% CAGR.
Prominent players in the global duckweed industry include Plantible Foods, Parabel USA, GreenOnyx, LemnaPro, and DryGro.
North America is projected to hold a significant revenue share of the duckweed market by 2033, driven by increased consumption of plant-based protein and sustainable food sources.
In 2025, North America is projected to account for 15.1% of the global duckweed demand.
This segment is further categorized into Powder, Oil, Paste.
This segment is further categorized into Household, HoReCa, Food & Beverages, Aquaculture Industry, Pharmaceutical Industry, Others.
This segment is further categorized into Food, Animal & Aquatic Feed, Dietary/Health Supplements, Biofertilizers, Biofuels, Water Treatment.
This segment is further categorized into Little Duckweed (Lemna Minor), Thick Duckweed (Lemna Gibbs), Cross Duckweed (Lemna Priscila), Great Duckweed (Lemna Polyuria).
Industry analysis has been carried out in key countries of North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Central Asia, Balkan and Baltic Countries, Russia & Belarus and the Middle East & Africa.
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Duckweed Market
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