EPA and DHA Research Highlights & Key Takeaways
| Study Period | 2021 – 2031 |
| Base Year | 2026 |
| Forecast Period | 2027 – 2031 |
| Projected Growth Rate (CAGR) | 5.0%+ CAGR |
| Geographic Coverage | 230 |
| Market Segments Covered | Food |
| Key Companies Analyzed | Comprehensive Competitive Landscape & Key Players Profiled |
| Report Delivery Format | PDF, Excel, PPT (Instant Download & Email Delivery) |
Key Insights• According to the research report, "United Kingdom EPA & DHA Market Outlook, 2031," published by Actual Market Research, the United Kingdom EPA & DHA Market is anticipated to add to more than USD 52.56 Million by 2026-31. The United Kingdom EPA & DHA market is steadily expanding as the country faces a substantial burden of heart and circulatory disease driven by population aging, low oily fish consumption, and rising consumer engagement with preventive health and wellness. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK population was provisionally estimated at 69.5 million on June 30, 2025, up from 69.3 million a year earlier. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) reports that more than 8 million people in the UK are living with heart and circulatory diseases, and that these conditions cause around 170,000 deaths each year, equivalent to about 460 deaths per day and more than a quarter of all UK deaths. Coronary heart disease remains the single biggest premature killer in the UK. National dietary guidance recommends at least one portion of oily fish per week, yet a large share of the population falls short of this target, creating a persistent intake gap. The growing clinical burden is placing additional pressure on the National Health Service (NHS) and the consumer health sector to strengthen access to EPA and DHA through supplements, fortified foods, infant nutrition, and prescription therapies.• The UK EPA & DHA market is characterized by a mature consumer health ecosystem comprising established supplement brands, specialist health retailers, pharmacy chains, grocery multiples, online direct-to-consumer brands, and pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 producers.
Distribution is led by Holland & Barrett, Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Amazon, while brands such as Seven Seas, Vitabiotics, Healthspan, and Bare Biology offer fish oil, cod liver oil, algal oil, and prenatal DHA products. The UK also hosts omega-3 manufacturing capacity, including KD Pharma Group's Seal Sands facility in the north-east of England, which produces high-concentration omega-3 intermediates for pharmaceutical applications. Infant formula is supplied by Danone (Aptamil and Cow & Gate), Nestlé (SMA), and domestic producer Kendal Nutricare (Kendamil), all of which include DHA in line with regulatory requirements.• Regulatory oversight for EPA and DHA products in Great Britain is administered by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS), the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Food supplements are regulated under the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 and equivalent legislation in the devolved nations, while health claims are governed by retained nutrition and health claims legislation and the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register. Infant formula must contain DHA under retained compositional requirements derived from Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127. On April 1, 2025, reforms to the market authorization process for regulated products came into force, allowing authorizations, including for novel foods such as new algal oils, to take effect following a ministerial decision and publication on an official register rather than through a statutory instrument.
What's Inside This EPA and DHA Report?
Comprehensive industry analysis covering market size, CAGR growth forecasts, competitive landscape, and key segment breakdowns.
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The UK EPA & DHA market is supplied through a mix of imported refined oils and finished products and domestic encapsulation and concentration capacity.Market Outlook• A defining characteristic of the UK EPA & DHA market is the progressive premiumization and diversification of omega-3 formats across both mass and specialist retail. Leading retailers and brands are expanding high-strength triglyceride fish oils, vegan algal omega-3 capsules, krill oil, liquid omega-3s, and gummies, while direct-to-consumer brands emphasize purity testing, low oxidation, and sustainable sourcing. Holland & Barrett offers its own-brand vegan algal omega-3 alongside high-strength fish oil ranges, reflecting the mainstreaming of plant-based omega-3. Simultaneously, prescription EPA has an established role in cardiovascular risk reduction, with Vazkepa (icosapent ethyl) approved and sold in England, Wales, and Scotland. Under an exclusive license and supply agreement announced in June 2025, Recordati assumed responsibility for commercializing Vazkepa across 59 countries focused on Europe, with Amarin receiving USD 25 million upfront and eligibility for up to USD 150 million in sales-based milestones.• The market also reflects the UK's growing emphasis on diet-related disease prevention. Restrictions on the advertising of less healthy food and drink on television before 9 p.m. and online, which industry adopted voluntarily from October 2025 ahead of statutory enforcement from January 2026, together with existing restrictions on the placement of high fat, sugar, and salt products in stores, are encouraging food manufacturers to reformulate and promote healthier products, creating opportunities for omega-3-rich and fortified foods.
In infant nutrition, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published the final report of its infant formula market study in February 2025, recommending measures to help parents make informed choices and stronger rules on labelling and marketing. ONS data show that 585,396 live births were registered in England and Wales in 2025, down 1.6% from 594,677 in 2024, with the total fertility rate falling to a record low of 1.39 children per woman, constraining volume growth in infant formula.Market DynamicsDriver: High heart and circulatory disease burden and an aging population with a persistent oily fish intake gapThe UK EPA & DHA market is primarily driven by the high prevalence of heart and circulatory diseases and the country's aging population. More than 8 million people in the UK live with heart and circulatory diseases, and around 170,000 people die from them each year, according to the BHF. Coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of premature death. The UK population continues to age, increasing demand for products that support cardiovascular, cognitive, eye, and joint health. Despite government advice to eat at least two portions of fish per week, one of which should be oily, oily fish consumption remains low across much of the population, particularly among younger adults.
Retained EU-derived health claims allow EPA and DHA products to communicate benefits for normal heart function, blood triglyceride levels, and, for DHA, normal brain function and vision. As awareness of preventive health continues to grow, pharmacies, health food stores, and supermarkets are witnessing sustained demand for EPA and DHA products.Challenge: Cost-of-living pressures, raw material volatility, and post-Brexit regulatory divergenceOne of the principal challenges facing the UK EPA & DHA market is the impact of cost-of-living pressures on discretionary health spending, which has shifted demand toward value and private-label products and intensified price competition. At the same time, raw material costs remain volatile. Peru's first 2026 north-central anchovy quota was set at 1,914,049 tonnes, approximately 36% lower than in 2025, following a coastal El Niño event, while the Antarctic krill fishery closed early on August 1, 2025, and again on August 12, 2026. Additionally, post-Brexit regulatory divergence between Great Britain and the EU requires companies to manage separate authorization pathways for novel foods and health claims, as well as differing requirements for Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. Together, these factors contribute to margin pressure, compliance complexity, and slower adoption of premium formats among price-sensitive consumers.Trend: Mainstreaming of vegan omega-3, personalized nutrition, and high-strength formatsThe UK is experiencing a significant shift toward plant-based and personalized omega-3 solutions supported by one of Europe's largest vegan consumer bases and a strong direct-to-consumer supplement sector.
Algal oil capsules and liquids are now standard in health food stores and supermarkets, while ingredient innovation, such as dsm-firmenich's life'sDHA B54-0100 launched in October 2024 with 545 mg DHA and 80 mg EPA per gram, is enabling smaller, higher-potency capsules and gummies. Subscription-based and personalized nutrition services, including at-home omega-3 index testing, are encouraging adherence and premium spending. The FSA's April 2025 reforms to the market authorization process are expected to accelerate the authorization of new omega-3 ingredients, including additional algal oil strains, supporting a broader range of products. The growing emphasis on sustainability, traceability, and ocean stewardship is also boosting demand for certified fish oils and fish-free alternatives.Policies• Food Supplements Regulations: Food supplements containing EPA and DHA are regulated under the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 and equivalent regulations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Products must comply with composition, labelling, and safety requirements enforced by local authority trading standards and environmental health officers.• Nutrition and Health Claims Framework: Health claims for EPA and DHA in Great Britain are governed by retained nutrition and health claims legislation, with authorized claims listed in the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register, including claims for normal heart function, blood triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and DHA contributions to normal brain function, vision, and maternal and infant development.• Infant Formula Compositional Requirements: Infant formula and follow-on formula sold in Great Britain must contain DHA under retained compositional requirements derived from Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127. The CMA's infant formula market study, finalized in February 2025, recommended measures to improve price transparency, labelling clarity, and the provision of impartial information to parents.• Market Authorization Reforms for Regulated Products: Reforms that came into force on April 1, 2025, allow authorizations for regulated products, including novel foods such as algal oils and krill oil, to take effect following a ministerial decision and publication on an official FSA and FSS register, removing the need for a statutory instrument and shortening time to market.• Medicines Regulation and NICE Appraisal: Prescription omega-3 products are licensed by the MHRA, while access within the NHS in England is guided by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals, including the recommendation of icosapent ethyl for reducing cardiovascular risk in eligible statin-treated adults with raised triglycerides.Segment AnalysisUnited Kingdom EPA & DHA Market By Product Type• Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) maintains an important position within the UK, particularly in infant formula, prenatal supplements such as Vitabiotics Pregnacare, and children's omega-3 products.
DHA is mandatory in infant formula, and algal DHA is widely used in vegan and prenatal ranges.• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) represents the fastest-growing product type segment in the UK, driven by prescription icosapent ethyl for cardiovascular risk reduction and increasing consumer interest in high-EPA concentrates for heart health, mood support, and sports recovery.United Kingdom EPA & DHA Market By Source• Fish Oil represents the leading revenue-generating source category in the UK due to its cost-effectiveness, broad consumer familiarity, and the strong tradition of cod liver oil. Fish oil is derived primarily from anchovy, sardine, mackerel, and cod liver, with growing emphasis on sustainability certification.• Algae Oil represents the fastest-growing source category in the UK, driven by strong vegan demand, prenatal and infant formula use, and the mainstreaming of retailer own-brand vegan omega-3 products.• Krill Oil is a premium source category positioned for absorption and smaller capsule size, sold through health food stores, pharmacies, and online channels.• Other Marine Sources hold a niche position in the UK market, including salmon oil, calanus oil, and green-lipped mussel extracts, primarily used in joint health products and pet nutrition.United Kingdom EPA & DHA Market By Application• Dietary Supplements represent the largest application segment in the UK, distributed through health food stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, and online platforms, with omega-3 among the most widely used supplements.• Infant Formula represents a strategically important application segment, with DHA mandatory in all infant and follow-on formulas. Births in England and Wales fell to 585,396 in 2025, constraining volumes, while the CMA's 2025 market study is shaping labelling and pricing practices.• Pharmaceuticals represent an important application segment, driven by icosapent ethyl for cardiovascular risk reduction and omega-3-acid ethyl esters for hypertriglyceridemia, supported by NICE guidance and Recordati's commercialization from 2025.• Food & Beverages encompasses omega-3-enriched bread, spreads, eggs, dairy, and plant-based alternatives, with reformulation encouraged by restrictions on less healthy food advertising and promotion.• Clinical Nutrition & Medical Foods includes fish oil-based lipid emulsions for parenteral nutrition, enteral formulas, and foods for special medical purposes used in NHS hospitals and community care.• Pet Nutrition represents the fastest-growing application segment in the UK, supported by approximately 13.5 million dogs in 36% of households and 12.5 million cats in 29% of households, according to UK Pet Food's 2024 data. Fish oil is widely used in premium pet foods and joint and coat supplements.Major EPA & DHA Manufacturers Operating in the UK• KD Pharma Group, dsm-firmenich, Croda, Seven Seas (P&G Health), Holland & Barrett, Boots, Vitabiotics, Healthspan, Bare Biology, Danone, Nestlé, Kendal Nutricare (Kendamil), Recordati, and Amarin are leading players in the UK EPA & DHA market, offering refined and concentrated omega-3 oils, finished supplements, DHA-fortified infant formula, and prescription EPA. Recordati assumed commercialization of Vazkepa in Europe under its June 2025 agreement with Amarin. Their strong presence, established retail partnerships, scientific support programs, and relationships with healthcare professionals have driven adoption across the UK market.• The market is also supported by contract manufacturers, private-label producers, ingredient distributors, and testing laboratories that provide formulation, encapsulation, and quality assurance support.
With pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 production and a dynamic direct-to-consumer sector, the UK remains one of Europe's leading omega-3 markets.U.K. EPA & DHA Supply and Pricing Economics• EPA and DHA products in the UK represent value-added nutritional products whose pricing depends on source, concentration, chemical form, certification, and channel. Pricing varies considerably between supermarket own-brands, specialist brands, krill oil, and algal oil.• Refined fish oil prices normalized by late 2024 after the El Niño-related disruption, according to GOED, but the reduced 2026 Peruvian anchovy quota is expected to place renewed upward pressure on raw material prices.• Supplements are paid out-of-pocket, with frequent multi-buy promotions shaping consumer purchasing. Prescription omega-3 products are funded through the NHS for eligible patients in line with NICE guidance.• The CMA's 2025 infant formula market study highlighted significant price increases in recent years, which may influence future pricing and labelling practices for DHA-fortified formula.Market Outlook by Consumer Health Spending and Supply Infrastructure• The UK EPA & DHA market growth is strongly linked to consumer health spending, demographic aging, and the strength of health food, pharmacy, and online channels, although cost-of-living pressures and regulatory divergence remain significant factors influencing demand and compliance.• Private consumer spending drives the supplement and pet nutrition segments, while NHS access to prescription EPA supports the pharmaceutical segment. Direct-to-consumer and subscription brands continue to expand premium and personalized omega-3 offerings.• The future growth opportunity for EPA and DHA in the UK depends on faster authorization of new ingredients under the FSA's reformed process, continued growth of vegan and high-strength formats, consumer education on the oily fish intake gap, and stronger integration of omega-3 within cardiovascular prevention. Greater use of personalized nutrition and omega-3 testing will likely become key strategies for expanding category engagement.Global EPA & DHA MarketConsidered in this report• Historic Year: 2020• Base Year: 2025• Estimated Year: 2026• Forecast Year: 2031Aspects covered in this report• EPA & DHA Market with its value and forecast along with its segments• Various drivers and challenges• Ongoing trends and developments• Top profiled companies• Strategic recommendationsBy Product Type• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)• Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)By Application• Dietary Supplements• Infant Formula• Pharmaceuticals• Food & Beverages• Clinical Nutrition & Medical Foods• Pet NutritionBy Source• Fish Oil• Algae Oil• Krill Oil• Other Marine Sources.
Table of Contents
- 1. Executive Summary
- 1.1. Market Drivers
- 1.2. Challenges
- 1.3. Opportunity
- 1.4. Restraints
- 2. Market Structure
- 2.1. Market Considerate
- 2.2. Assumptions
- 2.3. Limitations
- 2.4. Abbreviations
- 2.5. Sources
- 2.6. Definitions
- 2.7. Geography
- 3. Research Methodology
- 3.1. Secondary Research
- 3.2. Primary Data Collection
- 3.3. Market Formation & Validation
- 3.4. Report Writing, Quality Check & Delivery
- 4. United Kingdom (UK) Macro Economic Indicators
- 5. Market Dynamics
- 5.1. Key Findings
- 5.2. Market Drivers & Opportunities
- 5.3. Market Restraints & Challenges
- 5.4. Market Trends
- 5.5. Supply chain Analysis
- 5.6. Policy & Regulatory Framework
- 6. United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market, By Product Type
- 6.1. United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
- 6.1.1. Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 6.1.2. Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)
- 6.2. United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
- 6.2.1. Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 6.2.2. Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)
- 7. United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market, By Application
- 7.1. United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Dietary Supplements
- 7.1.1. Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 7.1.2. Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)
- 7.2. United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Infant Formula
- 7.2.1. Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 7.2.2. Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)
- 7.3. United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Pharmaceuticals
- 7.3.1. Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 7.3.2. Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)
- 7.4. United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Food & Beverages
- 7.4.1. Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 7.4.2. Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)
- 7.5. United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Clinical Nutrition & Medical Foods
- 7.5.1. Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 7.5.2. Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)
- 7.6 United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Pet Nutrition
- 7.6.1 Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 7.6.2 Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)8 United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market, By Source
- 8.1 United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Fish Oil
- 8.1.1 Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 8.1.2 Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)
- 8.2 United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Algae Oil
- 8.2.1 Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 8.2.2 Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)
- 8.3 United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Krill Oil
- 8.3.1 Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 8.3.2 Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)
- 8.4 United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Size, By Other Marine Sources
- 8.4.1 Historical Market Size (2020-2025)
- 8.4.2 Forecast Market Size (2026-2031F)9 Company Profile
- 9.1 Company
- 19.2 Company
- 29.3 Company
- 39.4 Company
- 49.5 Company 510 Disclaimer
- Table 1: Influencing Factors for United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market, 2024
- Table 2: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 3: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
- Table 4: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 5: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
- Table 6: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Dietary Supplements (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 7: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Dietary Supplements (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
- Table 8: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Infant Formula (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 9: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Infant Formula (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
- Table 10: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Pharmaceuticals (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 11: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Pharmaceuticals (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
- Table 12: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Food & Beverages (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 13: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Food & Beverages (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
- Table 14: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Clinical Nutrition & Medical Foods (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 15: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Clinical Nutrition & Medical Foods (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
- Table 16: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Pet Nutrition (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 17: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Pet Nutrition (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
- Table 18: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Fish Oil (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 19: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Fish Oil (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
- Table 20: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Algae Oil (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 21: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Algae Oil (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
- Table 22: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Krill Oil (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 23: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Krill Oil (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
- Table 24: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Historical Size of Other Marine Sources (2020 to 2025) in USD Million
- Table 25: United Kingdom (UK) EPA and DHA Market Forecast Size of Other Marine Sources (2026E to 2031F) in USD Million
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