Seaweed fertilizers, derived from natural seaweed extracts, are becoming increasingly important in sustainable agriculture due to their ability to improve soil health, increase crop yields, and provide environmentally friendly nutritional supplements to a variety of crops.Growing demand for organic and sustainable farming practices, coupled with increasing awareness of the environmental impact of chemical fertilizers, is driving the adoption of seaweed fertilizers worldwide.
The global seaweed fertilizer market size was valued at USD 2.05 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3.8 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8% during the forecast period.
Ascophyllum nodosum is projected to dominate the market, reaching a 40.87% share by 2025, driven by its high content of bioactive compounds and proven crop yield-increasing properties. Farmers often prefer Ascophyllum-based fertilizers due to its rich nutritional profile, including essential amino acids, trace minerals, and natural plant growth hormones. Demand for Ascophyllum nodosum is also strong due to its compatibility with various organic farming practices and its advanced formulation that promotes soil health and sustainable agriculture.
Why does Ascophyllum nodosum play a leading role in the seaweed fertilizer market?
Ascophyllum’s growth environment (cold, high salinity, intertidal zones, and strong ultraviolet rays) has forced it to evolve a unique and highly efficient secondary metabolic system, resulting in a combination of active ingredients recognized as optimal.
Top-notch stress tolerance: Its high content of betaine and mannitol are key substances that help crops withstand drought, cold, heat, salinity, and other stresses, significantly outperforming other seaweeds. This is its biggest selling point in addressing climate change and harsh environments.
Efficient plant growth regulator: It contains a well-balanced combination of endogenous hormones, such as cytokinins and auxins, and performs exceptionally well in promoting root development, preserving flowers and fruits, and improving quality.
Powerful soil conditioning: Its high molecular weight alginic acid is highly effective in improving soil aggregate structure and retaining water and nutrients.
The difference between Ascophyllum nodosum and other algae:
| Characteristic | Ascophyllum nodosum | Other algae (such as Ecklonia Maxima, Chlorella, Spirulina) |
| Classification and source | Phaeophyceae. Specific to the cold, clean, rocky intertidal environments of the North Atlantic. Wild-collected. | Diversified: Macroalgae (brown algae), Chlorella (green algae), Spirulina (blue algae). Sources range from marine, freshwater, and even farmed. |
| Unique Ingredients | Complex and balanced ingredients: •High levels of specific types of alginic acid and laminarin •Unique types and ratios of endogenous plant hormones (such as cytokinins and betaine) •Rich in mannitol. | Varies by species: •Macroalgae: Also contains alginic acid, but the type and proportion vary. •Microalgae (Chlorella, Spirulina): Extremely high in protein, vitamins, and amino acids, but contain varying amounts of biostimulants (e.g., hormones). |
| Efficacy focus | A top-tier biostimulant with the following benefits: •Excellent stress tolerance (cold, drought, and salt tolerance) •Strong root growth and soil improvement properties •Outstanding effectiveness in inducing systemic resistance (disease resistance) | Varies by species: •Macroalgae: Focuses more on nutrient supplementation and growth promotion. •Microalgae: Focuses more on nutrient enrichment (foliar fertilizer), metabolism promotion, and yield enhancement. |
| Research and consistency | The most in-depth research and the most comprehensive data. Due to its unique growth environment, the active ingredient content is stable and the batch consistency is high. | Research is also increasing, but the depth and breadth of research is not as extensive as that of Ascophyllum nodosum. Its ingredients are easily affected by the growing environment (e.g., water quality, climate), and batch stability may be poor. |
| Processing technology | Low-temperature cell disruption technology is often used to maximize the preservation of heat-sensitive bioactive substances (such as hormones and enzymes). | The processing methods vary. For microalgae, these may involve processes such as high-temperature drying, which may destroy some of the active ingredients. |
Summary and How to Choose
Choose Ascophyllum if you prioritize:
Enhancing crop resilience (to extreme weather, drought, and salinity).
Improving soil structure and alleviating soil compaction.
Stimulating root development and cultivating strong seedlings.
Inducing disease resistance in crops and reducing disease incidence.
Looking for products with proven, stable results.
Choose other algae (such as macroalgae or microalgae) if you prioritize:
Quickly replenishing comprehensive nutrients (trace elements, amino acids, and vitamins), especially as a foliar spray.
Promoting stem and leaf growth and fruit enlargement, increasing yield.
As an organic foliar fertilizer, it enhances the appearance and taste of agricultural products.
Dora has launched four different sources and specifications – Kelpreal,AlgaNeo,AlgaEck,Algamax for your choose.