Key Insights• According to the research report, "United States EPA & DHA Market Outlook, 2031," published by Actual Market Research, the United States EPA & DHA Market is anticipated to add to more than USD 299.98 Million by 2026-31. The United States EPA & DHA market is steadily expanding as the country faces a persistent burden of cardiovascular, cognitive, and metabolic disorders driven by population aging, low dietary intake of oily fish, and growing consumer reliance on preventive nutrition. The U.S. population was estimated at 341.8 million as of July 1, 2025, with the population aged 65 and older reaching 61.2 million. According to the American Heart Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, cardiovascular disease claimed 915,973 lives in the U.S. in 2023, down from 941,652 in 2022, with coronary heart disease alone accounting for 349,470 deaths, equivalent to one cardiovascular death roughly every 34 seconds. Dietary intake remains structurally low, with Americans consuming an estimated 110 mg per day of EPA and DHA compared with the 500 mg per day recommended by leading health organizations, according to the Seafood Nutrition Partnership. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in July 2026 found that 78% of U.S. adults take at least one supplement, and 25% specifically take omega-3, fish oil, or krill oil products. The growing intake gap is placing additional pressure on manufacturers, retailers, and healthcare providers to expand access to concentrated EPA and DHA formats across supplement, pharmaceutical, infant nutrition, and fortified food channels.• The U.S.

EPA & DHA market is characterized by a sophisticated ecosystem comprising ingredient refiners, contract softgel manufacturers, consumer health brands, pharmaceutical companies, infant formula producers, and pet food manufacturers. Domestic raw material supply is anchored by the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic menhaden fisheries, while refined and concentrated oils are imported from Peru, Chile, Norway, and Canada. The country is also home to some of the world's largest algal oil fermentation capacity. In May 2025, Veramaris, the joint venture between dsm-firmenich and Evonik, completed its USD 200 million algal oil facility in Blair, Nebraska, with production capacity equivalent to 1.2 million tonnes of wild-caught fish, enough to meet approximately 15% of global salmon farming demand for EPA and DHA. Retail distribution is highly concentrated through mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs, drugstores, and e-commerce platforms, with Costco, Walmart, Amazon, CVS, and Walgreens functioning as the primary volume channels for omega-3 supplements.• Regulatory oversight for EPA and DHA products is administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through distinct frameworks depending on the end use.

Omega-3 dietary supplements are regulated under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), food ingredients require Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status, and prescription omega-3 drugs such as icosapent ethyl and omega-3-acid ethyl esters are approved through New Drug Applications. In March 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched Operation Stork Speed, and in May 2025 the FDA issued a Request for Information initiating the first comprehensive review of infant formula nutrient requirements since 1998. The U.S. EPA & DHA market is supplied through a mix of domestic production and imported refined oils from multinational manufacturers, with companies such as dsm-firmenich, KD Pharma Group, Aker BioMarine, Cooke (Omega Protein), Corbion, Pharmavite, Nordic Naturals, Amarin, Abbott, and Reckitt (Mead Johnson) playing leading roles.Market Outlook• A defining characteristic of the U.S. EPA & DHA market is the progressive premiumization of omega-3 formats across both mass and specialty retail.

Leading brands are shifting from standard 18/12 fish oil softgels toward high-concentration triglyceride forms, algal DHA for vegetarian and prenatal consumers, krill oil phospholipids, and smaller, easier-to-swallow capsules, gummies, and liquid formats. In October 2024, dsm-firmenich launched life'sDHA B54-0100, its most potent algal DHA oil to date, delivering 545 mg DHA and 80 mg EPA per gram and enabling smaller capsules and gummy formats that address pill fatigue. In December 2024, Nature's Bounty rolled out its Plant-Based Omega-3 softgel across U.S. retail, providing 510 mg of EPA and DHA per softgel from algae oil through Amazon, CVS, Walgreens, Publix, and Kroger. Simultaneously, krill oil continues to strengthen its premium position, with Aker BioMarine reporting that its Human Health Ingredients segment revenue grew 28% year-over-year to USD 32.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, supported by the full onboarding of a large new krill oil customer and the launch of a new krill oil brand at Costco.• The market also reflects the U.S.'s growing emphasis on nutrition-led prevention through federal dietary policy. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, released in January 2026, place renewed emphasis on seafood consumption across the lifespan, including recommendations for children starting at six months of age and specific attention to DHA for fetal neurodevelopment during pregnancy and breastfeeding. At the same time, the FDA's final rule updating the "healthy" nutrient content claim, issued in December 2024, allows fatty fish and seafood products to qualify for the claim, supporting omega-3-rich food positioning.

In infant nutrition, U.S. births declined by 1% to 3,606,400 in 2025, with the general fertility rate falling to 53.1 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, which is constraining volume growth but encouraging formula manufacturers to compete on premium DHA- and ARA-fortified formulations that more closely mirror human milk composition.Market DynamicsDriver: Rising cardiometabolic disease burden and persistent omega-3 intake gap supported by demographic agingThe U.S. EPA & DHA market is primarily driven by the high prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions associated with demographic aging and lifestyle-related risk factors. According to the American Heart Association's 2026 statistics update, about half of U.S. adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, and heart disease and stroke together account for more than 25% of all U.S. deaths. Cardiovascular disease deaths totaled 915,973 in 2023, with a death rate of 218.3 per 100,000 people. The aging population is reinforcing demand, with the Pew Research Center reporting that 85% of adults aged 65 and older currently take supplements, compared with 67% of adults under 30. Among adults who take omega-3, fish oil, or krill oil products, 63% describe them as extremely or very important to their health.

Dietary intake remains well below recommended levels at approximately 110 mg per day of EPA and DHA, creating a structural gap that supplements, fortified foods, and prescription products are positioned to fill. As public health messaging continues to emphasize preventive nutrition, healthcare providers and retailers are witnessing growing demand for concentrated EPA and DHA products that support heart, brain, eye, and joint health.Challenge: Raw material volatility and import dependence for refined marine oilsOne of the principal challenges facing the U.S. EPA & DHA market is the volatility of marine raw material supply and the country's dependence on imported refined and concentrated oils. Peruvian anchovy remains the single most important global source of omega-3 oil, and supply has been repeatedly disrupted by El Niño events. Peru's Ministry of Production set the first 2026 north-central anchovy season quota at 1,914,049 tonnes, approximately 36% below the 3 million tonne quota of 2025 and 23% below the 2,475,000 tonne quota of 2024, following confirmation of a coastal El Niño event. Antarctic krill supply is also under pressure, with the CCAMLR krill fishery closing early on August 1, 2025, after the catch reached 624,917 tonnes against the 620,000 tonne trigger level, and closing again on August 12, 2026, more than three months before the scheduled end of the season.

Additionally, the introduction of a baseline 10% reciprocal tariff on U.S. imports in April 2025 has increased landed costs for imported fish oil, krill oil, and finished softgels, with suppliers such as Aker BioMarine citing tariffs as a key business risk. Together, these factors contribute to price volatility, margin pressure for private-label manufacturers, and periodic supply tightness for high-concentration oils.Trend: Expansion of algal omega-3 and high-potency, consumer-friendly formatsThe U.S. is experiencing a significant shift toward non-marine and high-potency omega-3 solutions supported by advances in microalgae fermentation and delivery technology. Algal oils produced from Schizochytrium strains are now commercially available at concentrations that rival or exceed refined fish oil, with Veramaris' Blair, Nebraska facility producing an algal oil containing twice the EPA and DHA concentration of traditional fish oil. Leading brands are expanding vegan, prenatal, and children's ranges built on algal DHA, while ingredient suppliers are introducing more concentrated oils that enable gummies, chews, and mini-softgels. Simultaneously, the market is seeing growing interest in omega-3 index testing, personalized nutrition platforms, and subscription-based supplement models that improve adherence. The increasing adoption of e-commerce, warehouse club private labels, and direct-to-consumer brands is expected to strengthen long-term category penetration while improving access to premium formats across geographically dispersed regions.

The growing emphasis on sustainability and traceability is also boosting demand for MSC-certified fish oil, Antarctic krill from certified fisheries, and fish-free algal alternatives.Policies• Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA): Omega-3 dietary supplements containing EPA and DHA are regulated by the FDA as foods under DSHEA. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety and accurate labeling of their products, must follow Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) requirements under 21 CFR Part 111, and must submit New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) notifications for ingredients not marketed before October 1994. Structure/function claims are permitted with a mandatory FDA disclaimer, while disease claims are prohibited.• FDA Qualified Health Claims and "Healthy" Claim Rule: The FDA permits qualified health claims linking EPA and DHA consumption to reduced risk of coronary heart disease and hypertension, subject to specific labeling language. The FDA's final rule on the "healthy" nutrient content claim, issued in December 2024, allows fatty fish and seafood products to qualify for the claim, with full compliance required by February 2028, supporting the positioning of omega-3-rich foods and beverages.• GRAS and Food Additive Framework: EPA and DHA oils used in conventional foods, beverages, and infant formula must be Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for their intended use. Fish oil, menhaden oil, krill oil, and multiple algal oils derived from Schizochytrium and other microalgae have been the subject of GRAS notices reviewed by the FDA, with specified maximum use levels in food categories and infant formula.• Infant Formula Regulation and Operation Stork Speed: Infant formula is regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and 21 CFR Parts 106 and 107. DHA and ARA are not federally mandated nutrients, but are added voluntarily to nearly all U.S. formulas.

Under Operation Stork Speed, launched in March 2025, the FDA issued a Request for Information in May 2025 to conduct the first comprehensive review of infant formula nutrient requirements since 1998, alongside increased testing for heavy metals and other contaminants.• Prescription Omega-3 Drug Approval: Prescription EPA and DHA products are regulated as drugs through the FDA's New Drug Application (NDA) and Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) pathways. Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) and omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza) are approved for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia, with icosapent ethyl also approved for cardiovascular risk reduction in high-risk patients. Multiple generic icosapent ethyl and omega-3-acid ethyl ester products are approved and marketed.Segment AnalysisUnited States EPA & DHA Market By Product Type• Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) maintains an important position within the U.S., particularly in infant formula, prenatal supplements, children's nutrition, and cognitive and eye health products. DHA is the primary structural omega-3 fatty acid in the brain and retina, and is added to nearly all U.S. infant formulas alongside ARA. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 highlight DHA as vital for fetal brain development during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Algal DHA oils, such as dsm-firmenich's life'sDHA B54-0100 launched in October 2024, are expanding the segment into vegetarian and gummy formats.• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) represents the fastest-growing product type segment in the U.S., driven by increasing demand for high-concentration EPA supplements and prescription icosapent ethyl for cardiovascular risk reduction and triglyceride management.

EPA-dominant concentrates are also gaining traction in mood support and sports recovery products. However, pharmaceutical EPA volumes have been affected by generic competition, with Amarin reporting fourth-quarter 2025 net revenue of USD 49.2 million compared with USD 62.3 million a year earlier, although Vascepa remains the market leader among branded and generic icosapent ethyl products about five years after the first generic launch.United States EPA & DHA Market By Source• Fish Oil represents the leading revenue-generating source category in the U.S. due to its cost-effectiveness, established supply chain, and broad consumer familiarity. Fish oil is derived primarily from anchovy, sardine, mackerel, and menhaden, and is refined into natural triglyceride, ethyl ester, and re-esterified triglyceride concentrates. In October 2024, KD Pharma Group completed the acquisition of dsm-firmenich's Marine Lipids business, including the MEG-3 brand and production facilities in Piura, Peru, and Mulgrave, Canada, strengthening its role as a key supplier of refined fish oil to U.S. supplement, food, and pharmaceutical customers.• Algae Oil maintains an important and rapidly expanding position within the U.S., particularly in infant formula, vegan supplements, and aquaculture and pet feed. Algal oils are produced through controlled fermentation, offering a contaminant-free, sustainable alternative to marine sources. The commercial-scale ramp-up of Veramaris' Blair, Nebraska facility in 2025 and the growing availability of high-potency algal DHA oils from dsm-firmenich and Corbion continue to drive segment expansion.• Krill Oil is a premium source category encompassing phospholipid-bound EPA and DHA harvested from Antarctic krill.

Krill oil is positioned for superior absorption, smaller capsule size, and naturally occurring astaxanthin. Aker BioMarine reported a 28% year-over-year increase in Human Health Ingredients revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025 and launched a new krill oil brand at Costco, while management expects first-quarter 2026 krill oil revenue to rise by 15% to 30% year-over-year.• Other Marine Sources hold a niche position in the U.S. market, including cod liver oil, salmon oil, squid oil, calamari oil, and green-lipped mussel extracts, primarily used in children's supplements, joint health products, and pet nutrition.United States EPA & DHA Market By Application• Dietary Supplements represent the largest application segment in the U.S. due to the high prevalence of supplement use and the established position of omega-3 as one of the most widely consumed non-vitamin supplements. According to the Pew Research Center, 78% of U.S. adults take at least one supplement, and 25% take omega-3, fish oil, or krill oil. Supplement applications include softgels, gummies, liquids, and chewables targeting heart, brain, eye, joint, prenatal, and sports nutrition needs.• Pharmaceuticals represent the second-largest application segment by value, driven by prescription icosapent ethyl and omega-3-acid ethyl esters for severe hypertriglyceridemia and cardiovascular risk reduction. The segment remained broadly flat in volume in 2025 as generic penetration continued, although Amarin retained its major managed care exclusives through 2025 and regained a large national pharmacy benefit manager mid-year.• Infant Formula represents a strategically important application segment, with DHA and ARA added to virtually all U.S. formulas. Volume growth is constrained by declining births, which fell 1% to 3,606,400 in 2025, but the FDA's Operation Stork Speed review is expected to shape future nutrient specifications and stimulate reformulation activity.• Food & Beverages encompasses omega-3-fortified milk, eggs, yogurt, juices, bread, nutrition bars, and seafood-based products.

The FDA's updated "healthy" claim rule issued in December 2024 and the Dietary Guidelines' emphasis on seafood are expected to support fortified and seafood-based product development.• Clinical Nutrition & Medical Foods includes fish oil-based lipid emulsions for parenteral nutrition, enteral formulas for critically ill and oncology patients, and medical foods for cognitive and metabolic conditions, primarily distributed through hospitals and long-term care facilities.• Pet Nutrition represents the fastest-growing application segment in the U.S., supported by the humanization of pets and rising spending on premium food and supplements. According to the American Pet Products Association, U.S. pet industry spending reached USD 158 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 165 billion in 2026, with 95 million households owning at least one pet. Omega-3 oils are widely used in skin and coat, joint, and cognitive health formulations for dogs and cats.Major EPA & DHA Manufacturers Operating in the U.S.• dsm-firmenich, KD Pharma Group, Aker BioMarine, Cooke (Omega Protein), Corbion, Veramaris, Pharmavite (Nature Made), Nature's Bounty, Nordic Naturals, Amarin, Abbott, and Reckitt (Mead Johnson) are leading players in the U.S. EPA & DHA market, offering refined fish oils, algal oils, krill oil, finished supplements, prescription omega-3 drugs, and DHA-fortified infant formula. Veramaris completed its USD 200 million algal oil facility in Blair, Nebraska, in May 2025. KD Pharma Group completed its acquisition of dsm-firmenich's Marine Lipids business in October 2024.

In February 2026, Aker BioMarine disclosed that it had engaged Jefferies and Houlihan Lokey to explore strategic alternatives for its Human Health Ingredients unit, with a transaction targeted for 2026, following the 2024 divestment of its Feed Ingredients business in a deal valued at USD 590 million. Their strong presence, advanced refining and fermentation technologies, scientific support programs, and established relationships with retailers, healthcare professionals, and formula manufacturers have driven adoption across the U.S. market.• The market is also supported by contract softgel manufacturers, private-label suppliers, ingredient distributors, and testing laboratories that provide formulation, encapsulation, and quality assurance support. With significant domestic fermentation capacity, a large menhaden fishery, and robust research infrastructure, the U.S. remains a global leader in omega-3 innovation and consumption.U.S. EPA & DHA Supply and Pricing Economics• EPA and DHA products in the U.S. represent value-added nutritional ingredients whose pricing depends on source, concentration, chemical form, and level of refinement. Pricing varies considerably between commodity fish oil, high-concentration ethyl ester and triglyceride oils, krill oil, and algal oil.• Refined fish oil prices spiked during the 2023–2024 El Niño disruption to Peruvian anchovy supply and normalized by late 2024, according to GOED. Global EPA and DHA ingredient volume reached 136,000 metric tons in 2025, up 2.6%, while value declined 4.3% to USD 2.53 billion, reflecting a price correction rather than weaker demand.

The reduced 2026 Peruvian quota is expected to place renewed upward pressure on raw oil prices.• Algal oil and krill oil command a premium over standard fish oil due to fermentation costs, harvesting logistics, and positioning for purity, sustainability, and absorption. Prescription omega-3 drugs are reimbursed through Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and commercial insurance, with net pricing influenced by generic competition and formulary exclusives negotiated with pharmacy benefit managers.• Import costs have been affected by the baseline 10% reciprocal tariff introduced in April 2025, with higher landed costs for refined oils and finished goods sourced from Peru, Chile, Norway, and other origins. The growth of domestic algal production and menhaden-based supply is expected to partially reduce exposure to imported raw materials over the forecast period.Market Outlook by Consumer Health Spending and Supply Infrastructure• The U.S. EPA & DHA market growth is strongly linked to consumer health spending, the aging population, and the country's mature supplement retail infrastructure. With 78% of adults taking supplements and 85% of adults aged 65 and older doing so, the market benefits from a broad and loyal consumer base that sustains steady demand for omega-3 products.• Private-label and warehouse club brands play an increasingly important role in volume growth, while premium brands are differentiating through high-concentration, algal, krill, and specialty formats. Pet nutrition, prenatal nutrition, and healthy aging represent the most dynamic demand pockets, supported by rising pet ownership and federal dietary guidance emphasizing seafood and DHA.• The future growth opportunity for EPA and DHA in the U.S. depends on securing stable raw material supply, scaling domestic algal fermentation, managing tariff-related cost pressures, and strengthening consumer education on the omega-3 intake gap.

Greater integration of omega-3 index testing, personalized nutrition, and healthcare practitioner recommendations will likely become key strategies for expanding category penetration. The outcome of the FDA's infant formula nutrient review and continued investment in sustainable sourcing are expected to further shape product innovation and long-term market development.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.