Carrageenan Price Trend and Forecast 2026-2027

Carrageenan prices in Germany, the highest-cost reporting region, rose 0.9% in Q3 2026 to USD 10,800/MT from USD 10,700/MT in Q2, as raw seaweed farm-gate prices firmed and energy costs for processing stayed elevated, while steady dairy, meat, and plant-based food demand lifted prices slightly from the lows. US prices rose 1.0% to USD 10,200/MT, while China prices rose 0.9% to USD 7,720/MT. Globally, the average rose from USD 9,273/MT in Q2 to USD 9,362/MT in Q3, a 1.0% gain, following a decline of 0.9% in Q2. For H2 2026, this market is expected to stay stable to slightly firm, with steady food industry demand and seaweed costs supporting prices while ample supply limits gains.

Carrageenan is a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from red seaweeds, mainly Kappaphycus and Eucheuma, available as refined and semi-refined types in kappa, iota, and lambda forms, used as a gelling, thickening, and stabilizing agent. It is used in dairy desserts, chocolate milk, ice cream, processed meats, plant-based milks and meats, pet food, toothpaste, and air freshener gels. Because dried seaweed is its raw material, supply depends on farm output in Indonesia and the Philippines, so this market follows seaweed farm-gate prices, weather and disease, and processing energy and alcohol costs. Seaweed farm-gate prices and supply, food industry demand, and processing energy and alcohol costs are what drive prices in this market.

Carrageenan Price Forecast for 2026

The outlook for Carrageenan through the end of 2026 is stable to slightly firm. Seaweed supply is ample, and steady demand from dairy, meat, plant-based, and pet food users supports prices, though energy and alcohol costs remain elevated. Buyers are expected to keep procurement plans flexible, tracking feedstock and freight conditions closely through the fourth quarter.

The main upside risk is weaker seaweed harvests or higher energy and alcohol costs. The main downside risk is larger seaweed harvests and weaker food demand. Contract negotiations for the coming months are likely to hinge on how feedstock costs and demand evolve. Buyers are expected to keep procurement plans flexible, tracking feedstock and freight conditions closely through the fourth quarter.

For the Quarter Ending September 2026

Carrageenan Prices Q3 2026:

• Germany: USD 10,800/MT
• United States: USD 10,200/MT
• Philippines: USD 8,280/MT
• China: USD 7,720/MT

Carrageenan Prices in Germany

Germany Carrageenan prices averaged USD 10,800/MT in Q3 2026, the highest of any region tracked here, up 0.9% from USD 10,700/MT in Q2, as steady demand from dairy, meat, and plant-based food users kept this market at the top of the range. Buyers continued to absorb the higher offers, with procurement activity staying steady through September and inventories remaining broadly balanced across the supply chain.

Why did the price of Carrageenan change in Q3 2026 in Germany?

German dairy, processed meat, and plant-based food makers kept steady orders, and firm energy and seaweed costs held offers firm. Buyers covered needs selectively as offers adjusted to weekly movements. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter. Regional supply and demand balances continued to evolve as the quarter progressed, keeping price discovery active.

Carrageenan Prices in United States

United States Carrageenan prices averaged USD 10,200/MT in Q3 2026, up 1.0% from USD 10,100/MT in Q2, as steady dairy and plant-based demand supported prices. Converters and distributors kept order books active through the quarter, accepting the firmer quotations rather than delaying purchases into the fourth quarter. Regional supply and demand balances continued to evolve as the quarter progressed, keeping price discovery active.

Why did the price of Carrageenan change in Q3 2026 in United States?

US dairy, plant-based, and pet food makers kept orders steady, while imports of refined carrageenan stayed costly. Buyers covered needs selectively as offers adjusted to weekly movements. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter.

Carrageenan Prices in Philippines

Philippines Carrageenan prices averaged USD 8,280/MT in Q3 2026, up 1.0% from USD 8,200/MT in Q2, as steady seaweed supply and rising farm-gate prices lifted offers. Suppliers held offers firm while spot availability stayed limited, which kept sentiment constructive heading into the final quarter of the year. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move.

Why did the price of Carrageenan change in Q3 2026 in Philippines?

Philippine producers raised offers modestly as dried seaweed farm-gate prices firmed. Buyers covered needs selectively as offers adjusted to weekly movements. Regional supply and demand balances continued to evolve as the quarter progressed, keeping price discovery active. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter.

Carrageenan Prices in China

China Carrageenan prices averaged USD 7,720/MT in Q3 2026, the lowest of the four regions, up 0.9% from USD 7,650/MT in Q2, as large-scale processing capacity kept this market the most affordable. Contract negotiations for the fourth quarter opened with sellers seeking further increases, reflecting the tighter cost structure that producers faced through the period.

Why did the price of Carrageenan change in Q3 2026 in China?

Chinese producers raised offers modestly as imported seaweed and energy costs firmed, while ample capacity limited the increase. Buyers covered needs selectively as offers adjusted to weekly movements. Regional supply and demand balances continued to evolve as the quarter progressed, keeping price discovery active. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move.

For the Quarter Ending June 2026

Carrageenan Prices Q2 2026:

• Germany: USD 10,700/MT
• United States: USD 10,100/MT
• Philippines: USD 8,200/MT
• China: USD 7,650/MT

Carrageenan Prices in Germany

Germany prices eased 0.9% in Q2 2026 to USD 10,700/MT from USD 10,800/MT in Q1, the highest of any region tracked here, as ample seaweed supply held prices near lows. Quarter-end offers reflected the elevated cost base carried over from the first quarter, with buyers pushing back and sellers conceding some ground through June. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter.

Why did the price of Carrageenan change in Q2 2026 in Germany?

In Q2, prices eased slightly as seaweed supply stayed ample. German prices stayed near lows on ample seaweed supply. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter.

Carrageenan Prices in United States

United States prices eased 1.0% in Q2 2026 to USD 10,100/MT from USD 10,200/MT in Q1, within the middle of the range tracked here, as ample supply held prices near lows. Quarter-end offers reflected the elevated cost base carried over from the first quarter, with buyers pushing back and sellers conceding some ground through June.

Why did the price of Carrageenan change in Q2 2026 in United States?

In Q2, prices eased slightly as seaweed supply stayed ample. US prices stayed near lows on ample supply. Regional supply and demand balances continued to evolve as the quarter progressed, keeping price discovery active. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter.

Carrageenan Prices in Philippines

Philippines prices eased 1.0% in Q2 2026 to USD 8,200/MT from USD 8,280/MT in Q1, within the middle of the range tracked here, as ample seaweed supply held prices near lows. Quarter-end offers reflected the elevated cost base carried over from the first quarter, with buyers pushing back and sellers conceding some ground through June.

Why did the price of Carrageenan change in Q2 2026 in Philippines?

In Q2, prices eased slightly as seaweed supply stayed ample. Philippine prices stayed near lows on ample seaweed supply. Regional supply and demand balances continued to evolve as the quarter progressed, keeping price discovery active. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter.

Carrageenan Prices in China

China prices eased 0.9% in Q2 2026 to USD 7,650/MT from USD 7,720/MT in Q1, the lowest of the four regions, as ample capacity held prices down. Quarter-end offers reflected the elevated cost base carried over from the first quarter, with buyers pushing back and sellers conceding some ground through June. Regional supply and demand balances continued to evolve as the quarter progressed, keeping price discovery active.

Why did the price of Carrageenan change in Q2 2026 in China?

In Q2, prices eased slightly as seaweed supply stayed ample. Chinese prices stayed low on ample capacity. Regional supply and demand balances continued to evolve as the quarter progressed, keeping price discovery active. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter.

Quarterly Carrageenan Price Trends

Global Carrageenan prices eased gradually through most of 2025, before holding steady in Q1 2026 as ample seaweed supply and moderating costs eased prices, an environment that carried into Q2 and then firmed slightly from lows in Q3 across the regions tracked in this report. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move.

What was Carrageenan Price in 2025?

Carrageenan eased across the markets covered in this report through 2025, tracking ample seaweed supply and moderating costs, with the strongest annual move recorded in Philippines before the stable Q1 2026 and the Q3 2026 developments that followed. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter.

Carrageenan Prices in Germany in 2025

Germany prices eased from about USD 11,500/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 10,900/MT by Q4, a decline of roughly 5.2%. Ample seaweed supply and moderating costs weighed on pricing through the year. Buyers and sellers tracked ample seaweed supply and moderating costs closely through the year, and the pattern left this market positioned for the stable Q1 2026 that followed.

Carrageenan Prices in United States in 2025

United States prices eased from about USD 10,900/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 10,300/MT by Q4, a decline of roughly 5.5%, the smallest annual move of the four regions. Ample seaweed supply and moderating costs weighed on pricing through the year. Buyers and sellers tracked ample seaweed supply and moderating costs closely through the year, and the pattern left this market positioned for the stable Q1 2026 that followed.

Carrageenan Prices in Philippines in 2025

Philippines prices eased from about USD 8,800/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 8,350/MT by Q4, a decline of roughly 5.1%, the strongest annual move of the four regions. Ample seaweed supply and moderating costs weighed on pricing through the year. Buyers and sellers tracked ample seaweed supply and moderating costs closely through the year, and the pattern left this market positioned for the stable Q1 2026 that followed.

Carrageenan Prices in China in 2025

China prices eased from about USD 8,200/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 7,780/MT by Q4, a decline of roughly 5.1%. Ample seaweed supply and moderating costs weighed on pricing through the year. Buyers and sellers tracked ample seaweed supply and moderating costs closely through the year, and the pattern left this market positioned for the stable Q1 2026 that followed.

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Expert Market Research tracks Carrageenan prices continuously across every major producing and consuming region, combining seaweed farm-gate price data, dairy and meat demand signals, and processing cost trends into a single, regularly updated view of the market. Our team can help your procurement function benchmark current offers, plan purchases around the trends covered in this report, and build a defensible view of where this seaweed hydrocolloid is headed next. Reach out to our team for a tailored briefing or a deeper look at any of the regional markets covered here.