Arachidonic Acid Market Size, Share Global Analysis Report, 2026-2034

Industry Insights

[245+ Pages Report] According to Facts & Factors, the global arachidonic acid market size was estimated at USD 264 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 456 million by the end of 2034. The arachidonic acid industry is anticipated to grow by a CAGR of 6.4% between 2026 and 2034. The arachidonic acid Market is driven by increasing demand for infant nutrition and dietary supplements.

Market Overview

Arachidonic acid (ARA) is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid essential for human health, particularly in cell membrane structure, inflammation regulation, and brain development. It is naturally found in animal sources like meat, eggs, and fish, but is also produced synthetically from microbial or plant-based sources for commercial use in supplements, infant formulas, and pharmaceuticals. The market encompasses production, distribution, and application across various industries focused on nutritional and therapeutic benefits without emphasizing quantitative growth metrics in this overview.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global arachidonic acid market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 6.4% over the forecast period (2026-2034).
• In terms of revenue, the global arachidonic acid market size was valued at around USD 264 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 456 million by 2034.
• The market is driven by rising demand for ARA-enriched infant formulas and dietary supplements to support brain development and immune health.
• Based on the form, the liquid segment dominated with a 80% share due to its high bioavailability and ease of incorporation into infant formulas and supplements.
• Based on the source, the animal segment dominated with a 60% share owing to its established extraction methods and higher natural concentration in traditional sources like poultry and fish.
• Based on the application, the infant formula segment dominated with a 82% share because of regulatory approvals and growing awareness of ARA's role in mimicking breast milk nutrition.
• Based on the region, North America dominated with a 35% share attributed to advanced infant nutrition industries, high consumer spending on health products, and presence of key manufacturers.

Growth Drivers

• Rising Demand in Infant Nutrition

The increasing focus on early childhood development has boosted the use of arachidonic acid in infant formulas, as it closely replicates the fatty acid profile of breast milk to support cognitive and visual growth. Regulatory bodies like the FDA and Health Canada have approved ARA-enriched products, encouraging manufacturers to innovate and expand offerings.

This trend is further amplified by rising birth rates in emerging economies and parental awareness of nutritional deficiencies, leading to higher adoption of fortified baby foods. Investments in R&D for sustainable ARA production also contribute to market accessibility and affordability.

Restraints

• Supply Chain Volatility from Raw Material Sourcing

Fluctuations in animal and microbial sources, coupled with environmental concerns over overfishing and agricultural variability, pose challenges to consistent ARA supply. Recent contaminations in imports have led to stricter regulations, increasing production costs.

These issues can disrupt market stability, particularly for smaller players reliant on imported raw materials, and may slow adoption in price-sensitive regions.

Opportunities

• Expansion into Functional Foods and Supplements

Growing health consciousness among adults is opening avenues for ARA in dietary supplements targeting inflammation reduction and muscle recovery, especially in sports nutrition. Innovations in plant-based ARA from algae offer vegan alternatives, aligning with sustainable consumer preferences.

This shift allows companies to diversify beyond infant products, tapping into the booming wellness industry and creating new revenue streams through fortified beverages and snacks.

Challenges

• Regulatory and Safety Concerns

Stringent safety evaluations and varying global standards for ARA additives in food and pharmaceuticals can delay product launches and increase compliance costs. Public scrutiny over omega-6 fatty acids' potential inflammatory effects adds to market hesitation.

Navigating these requires robust clinical evidence and transparent sourcing, which can strain resources for emerging market entrants.

Report Scope

Report Attribute	Details
Market Size 2025	USD 264 Million
Projected Market Size in 2034	USD 456 Million
CAGR Growth Rate	6.4% CAGR
Base Year	2025
Forecast Years	2026-2034
Key Market Players	Koninklijke DSM N.V., BASF SE, Cargill, Incorporated, Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd., Cabio Biotech (Wuhan) Co., Ltd., Guangdong Runke Bioengineering Co. Ltd., Cayman Chemical, Merck KGaA, Bio-Techne Corporation, Avanti Polar Lipids, Inc., and Others.
Key Segment	By Form, By Source, By Application, and By Region
Major Regions Covered	North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa
Purchase Options	Request customized purchase options to meet your research needs. Explore purchase options

Market Segmentation

The arachidonic acid market is segmented by form, source, application, and region.

Based on Form Segment, the arachidonic acid market is divided into dry, liquid, and others. The liquid segment is the most dominant, holding a significant share due to its superior solubility and integration in liquid-based products like oils and emulsions, which enhances absorption rates. The dry segment follows as the second most dominant, valued for its stability in powdered supplements and longer shelf life, driving market growth through convenient storage and transport that reduces spoilage risks.

Based on Source Segment, the arachidonic acid market is divided into animal, plant, and others. The animal segment dominates with its high yield from sources like poultry and eggs, making it cost-effective and widely available for large-scale production. The plant segment is the second most dominant, gaining traction through microbial fermentation and algal sources that offer sustainable, non-animal alternatives, appealing to ethical consumers and boosting market expansion by addressing environmental concerns.

Based on Application Segment, the arachidonic acid market is divided into infant formula, supplements, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, and others. The infant formula segment leads as the most dominant, driven by ARA's critical role in brain and eye development, with global regulations mandating its inclusion to mimic breast milk. The supplements segment is the second most dominant, fueled by adult demand for immune and cognitive support, contributing to overall market growth through diversified health applications.

Recent Developments

• In February 2026, the European Commission introduced new controls for arachidonic acid oil imports from China following contamination issues in infant formulas, impacting global supply chains and prompting recalls by companies like Nestle and Danone.
• In December 2024, Louis Dreyfus Company acquired BASF’s Food and Health Performance Ingredients business, including production sites and R&D centers, to strengthen its position in nutritional lipids like ARA.
• In October 2024, Health Canada approved the use of ARASCO, an ARA oil from Mortierella alpina, for infant formulas after safety evaluations, boosting market confidence in microbial-derived products.
• In May 2023, Avanti Polar Lipids partnered with Bioz to launch AI-driven tools providing real-time insights on ARA product applications in research, enhancing customer decision-making.

Regional Analysis

• North America to dominate the global market

North America leads the arachidonic acid market due to its advanced healthcare infrastructure and strong emphasis on infant nutrition, with the United States as the dominating country through high consumer spending on premium supplements and fortified foods. The region's established regulatory framework, including FDA approvals, facilitates innovation and market entry for ARA products.

Asia Pacific is experiencing rapid growth in the arachidonic acid market, driven by rising birth rates and increasing awareness of nutritional needs, with China as the dominating country leveraging its large manufacturing base for cost-effective production and exports. Expanding middle-class populations in countries like India further fuel demand for ARA-enriched infant formulas and supplements.

Europe maintains a significant share in the arachidonic acid market, supported by stringent food safety standards and a focus on sustainable sourcing, with Germany as the dominating country through its robust pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The region's health-conscious consumers drive adoption in functional foods and clinical nutrition applications.

Latin America is emerging in the arachidonic acid market, propelled by improving economic conditions and growing interest in child health, with Brazil as the dominating country benefiting from its expanding dairy and supplement sectors. Increasing urbanization enhances access to ARA-fortified products across the region.

The Middle East & Africa region is gradually adopting arachidonic acid, influenced by rising disposable incomes and nutritional awareness, with South Africa as the dominating country through its developing food processing industry. Efforts to address malnutrition in various countries are spurring demand for ARA in infant and therapeutic nutrition.

Competitive Analysis

The global arachidonic acid market is dominated by players:

• Koninklijke DSM N.V.
• BASF SE
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.
• Cabio Biotech (Wuhan) Co., Ltd.
• Guangdong Runke Bioengineering Co. Ltd.
• Cayman Chemical
• Merck KGaA
• Bio-Techne Corporation
• Avanti Polar Lipids, Inc.

The global arachidonic acid market is segmented as follows:

By Form

• Dry
• Liquid

By Source

• Animal
• Plant

By Application

• Infant Formula
• Supplements
• Pharmaceuticals
• Animal Feed
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt
  • Kuwait
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America