Beta-Carotene Leads Carotenoid Sales

WELLESLEY, Mass.Beta-carotene is the best-selling carotenoid globally, accounting for $261 million in 2010 and will be worth $334 million in 2018, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1 percent, according to The Global Market for Carotenoids" from BCC Research. And, beta-apo-8-carotenal is growing the fastest with $24 million in sales in 2010 and an expected worth of $34 million in 2018, a CAGR of 4.5 percent.

In total, sales for all carotenoids reached nearly $1.2 billion in 2010. In 2018, that value is projected to surpass $1.4 billion, increasing at an eight-year CAGR of 2.3 percent. The global market for carotenoids can be broken down into 10 productsbeta-carotene, lutein, astaxanthin, capsanthin, annatto, canthaxanthin, lycopene, beta-apo-8-carotenal, zeaxanthin and beta-apo-8-carotenal-ester.

Heres a break down of the other carotenoids in the global market:

BCC Research noted manufacturers must be at the forefront of carotenoid technology to stay viable. The manufacturing processes required are sophisticated and only those companies with elaborate chemical and/or fermentation and/or extraction skills can produce carotenoids," according to a press release issued by the company.

No new types of carotenoids have entered the market, according to BCC, making technological advancements of currently marketed carotenoids even more important.  

The report also noted the consolidation of several carotenoid companies, and several companies that were in the market during the mid-2000s have disappeared. Now, a limited number of companies dominate the global carotenoid business.