The Global Market for Carotenoids

Additional Information

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

This report is an update of BCC Research report FOD025C The Global Market for Carotenoids published in 2008. The market setup for carotenoids over the past 3 years developed further, changed dramatically in some areas, and saw a reverse of the previous trend of decreasing prices across most products. The main categories of carotenoids are still the same; no new types of carotenoids entered the market, but new manufacturing technologies were introduced for some products.

Beta-carotene is still the most prominent carotenoid. While consumption developed only very moderately, products across all types of formulation and origin are no longer available at the price range seen in 2007. A general rise in prices resulted in an increase of the overall market value. In 2010, BASF took over Cognis, the only sizable company producing beta-carotene from algae, and in 2011, DSM acquired Vitatene, an important producer of beta-carotene by fermentation. Generally, the manufacturing industry structures were consolidated, and several companies that were in the market during the mid-2000s disappeared. Now, a very limited number of companies dominate this global business.

Lycopene, an antioxidant recommended to prevent prostate cancer, obtained permission from the European authorities to be used as a food additive and coloring agent. The industry hopes that this authorization will help to reinvigorate product sales that in its traditional outlets showed only moderate growth over the past years.

Astaxanthin, the color of choice for pigmenting fish and shrimp, expanded only marginally and is contested by canthaxanthin. A new production system, based on the fermentation of a bacterium, allowed the market introduction of a natural astaxanthin at the price of the synthetic analogue. This product, much more than the previous organic standards derived from yeast or algae, has the potential to develop a serious threat for synthetic astaxanthin.

Canthaxanthin is still the color of choice for providing a red tone in egg yolks and is a major competitor in the pigmenting of salmonid fish and shrimp. Canthaxanthin is the only carotenoid for which the decreasing price trend could not yet be brought to a hold. Moreover, European authorities plan to ban canthaxanthin use in food completely, which potentially has effects on the use of canthaxanthin in other parts of the world.

The lutein supplement market boomed until 2004, found its peak and is nowadays growing at a steady rate. Due to shortages in raw materials, the long-term price downtrend for feed grade lutein, which prevailed until 2007, reversed. Overall the market value for lutein expanded strongly.

Paprika extracts and capsanthin, the purified coloring component, are gradually becoming products of choice for pigmenting savory food products with a distinct red shade. Paprika is also increasingly used for broiler skin and egg coloring, competing with canthaxanthin. Purified products are short in the market, but due to strong competition, prices are only moderately increasing.

Annatto, the only carotenoid extracted from the fruits of a tree, has been in the market for many decades. Demand is still rising, driven by consumer desire for true natural alternatives to synthetic colors in pigmenting, particularly dairy products with a reddish-orange shade, but the long-term trend of decreasing annatto, bixin, and norbixin prices could be brought to a halt.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

The present study reviews the world of commercial carotenoids with the objective to provide a detailed insight into production technologies, market developments, and dynamics, to give producers and users of carotenoids a transparent overview on the current situation and a well-founded outlook until 2018.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

BCC Research seeks to provide insight into an industry that is still at the forefront of technology. The report intends to assist producing companies and users of carotenoids in the food, feed, and supplement industries by providing them with a comprehensive overview of the carotenoid industry. Strategy and business planning should become easier and more reliable. The report may also help companies and players in other ingredient markets who are considering diversification into attractive and well-fitting sectors, one of which may be carotenoids.