Amaranth Oil Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031)

Global Amaranth Oil Market Trends and Insights

Growing Demand for Natural and Plant-Based Ingredients and Clean-Label Products

The amaranth oil market benefits from rising demand for natural ingredients with clear botanical origins, traceability, and alignment with clean-label positioning. Cosmetic and nutraceutical companies are increasingly replacing select synthetic emollients and marine-derived actives as consumers evaluate ingredient sourcing, sustainability, and processing practices more closely. According to research published in Frontiers on grain amaranth and its food applications, amaranth grain oil can serve as a plant-based substitute for shark squalene ^{[1]Source: D. Mekonnen et al., “Grain Amaranth, a Potential and Resilient Food Crop,” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, frontiersin.org.}. This functionality strengthens its relevance for prestige skincare brands that require traceable, plant-derived squalene and seek alternatives that support ethical and sustainable sourcing claims. Unrefined and cold-pressed formats also support the minimal-processing claims used by clean-label brands, as these formats help preserve the oil’s natural positioning and botanical identity. These requirements favor suppliers that can document origin, extraction conditions, processing methods, and finished-oil composition while providing the transparency needed for premium cosmetic and nutraceutical formulations.

Expansion of Squalene-Rich Anti-Aging and Skin-Barrier Formulations

The Amaranth oil market is gaining support from skincare formulations that use squalene as an active lipid rather than only as an emollient. A 2026 study reported that amaranth oil contained 6.90 g to 7.90 g of squalene per 100 g, alongside linoleic acid, oleic acid, tocopherols, and phytosterols^{[2]Source: P. Paśko et al., “Amaranth Oil for Dermatologic Conditions: Inflammation Control and Cytotoxicity Assessment in Skin-Related Cell Models,” Molecules, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.}. The same work examined effects linked to inflammation control and skin-related cell models, which supports formulators' interest in barrier-repair and photoaging products. FLAVEX lists an organic amaranth seed CO2 extract with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, HACCP, Clean at Sephora, and Credo Clean Standard references. Such documentation is increasingly important when premium brands select botanical inputs.

Advancements in Oil Extraction Technologies and Cold-Pressed Specialty Oils

The amaranth oil market relies on extraction methods that preserve squalene content, maintain oil quality, and support clean processing claims. A 2025 review describes supercritical CO2 extraction as a suitable method for recovering valuable compounds from biomass while avoiding residues associated with conventional solvent-based processes. Studies on supercritical CO2 extraction also highlight mild operating conditions, lower exposure to heat, and shorter processing times as key advantages for protecting sensitive oil fractions and maintaining their functional properties. Processors that can offer both supercritical CO2 and conventional extraction routes can serve buyers with different quality, certification, scalability, and cost requirements.

Growth of Plant-Based Functional Foods and Dietary Supplements

The amaranth oil market also benefits from the expanding use of amaranth in functional foods and dietary supplements, as manufacturers increasingly incorporate nutrient-dense ingredients into health-focused product formulations. In the cited research, grain amaranth contained 13.56% protein and a 7.20% lipid fraction, compared with 6.67% protein and 2.22% lipids for rice, highlighting its stronger nutritional profile. The oil’s tocopherols, phytosterols, and squalene strengthen its positioning in fortified foods, supplements, and beverage formats aimed at consumers seeking wellness-oriented products. Microencapsulation can further extend its application beyond conventional liquid oils by enabling stable powdered formats for protein supplements, meal replacements, and other functional food products. As the functional food base grows, manufacturers may require higher volumes of amaranth seed, thereby supporting demand for the seed supply used by the amaranth oil industry.

Low Seed Oil Yield, Feedstock Cost, and Fragmented Cultivation

The amaranth oil market faces a persistent cost constraint because amaranth seeds contain only 6.00% to 8.00% oil by weight, compared with 40.00% to 45.00% for sunflower and rapeseed. This low oil content means processors must source and handle significantly larger seed volumes to produce commercial quantities of oil, even before accounting for extraction losses. The original supply context indicates that producing 1 liter of oil requires 8 kg to 12 kg of seed, which adds pressure to raw material procurement, logistics, and processing economics. Research on Peruvian kiwicha described production across smallholder farms in Andean highland departments and noted limited optimization for industrial oil yields. This fragmented production base can create seasonal variations in supply and quality, as output often depends on localized farming practices, harvest timing, and post-harvest handling. It also increases procurement and certification costs for organic material sourced from Peru and Bolivia, particularly when buyers need traceability, consistent quality, and reliable volumes from dispersed suppliers.

Regulatory Dossiers and Adulteration Risk in Premium Botanical Oils

The Amaranth oil market requires stronger product documentation as food, supplement, and cosmetic buyers place more weight on compliance and authentication. Food and supplement uses in Europe must meet technical dossier requirements under the EU Novel Food Regulation, which favors suppliers with structured extraction and quality records. Premium oils are also exposed to dilution risk because their squalene content gives them a higher value than conventional carrier oils. A 2025 study examined multivariate methods for identifying adulteration in vegetable oils, showing why analytical authentication is important for high-value oil supply chains. Another 2025 study assessed amaranth oil and its bioactive compounds through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Buyers increasingly need batch-level origin records, phytosterol profiles, and spectroscopy-based checks before approving premium oil.

*Our forecasts treat driver/restraint impacts as directional, not additive. The impact forecasts reflect baseline growth, mix effects, and variable interactions.

Segment Analysis

By Form: Unrefined Oil Leads While Refined Oil Expands

Unrefined oil held 75.48% of the Amaranth oil market size by form in 2025. This leading position reflects demand for oil with its native squalene, tocopherols, and phytosterols retained, particularly where brands present the ingredient as a recognizable botanical component rather than as a neutral processing aid. Cosmetic and nutraceutical buyers often select this format when the full phytochemical profile is part of their product proposition. The format also matches clean-label commitments and retail standards that favor limited processing. FLAVEX identifies its organic CO2 extract with Clean at Sephora and Credo Clean Standard references, which illustrates the documentation used in premium channels. Unrefined oil can, however, vary across batches because the reported squalene concentration ranged from 6.90 g to 7.90 g per 100 g. This variation can be challenging for industrial buyers that require consistent active-ingredient specifications.

Refined oil is projected to record the highest growth rate in the form split, at a 6.82% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. The Amaranth oil market size for refined oil is supported by processed-food manufacturers, pharmaceutical emulsion producers, and industrial cosmetic manufacturers. These customers prioritize neutral flavor, extended shelf life, and predictable batch performance, since the oil must work alongside several ingredients without changing the intended sensory profile or disrupting a standardized manufacturing process. Neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization can provide a format that is easier to blend into more complex products. The growing use of refined oil indicates that larger manufacturers are considering amaranth as an ingredient beyond smaller premium formulations. This creates a reason for processors to add refining capacity alongside primary extraction. It also allows the Amaranth oil industry to serve applications where consistency matters more than the complete native bioactive profile.

By Extraction: Supercritical CO2 Leads While Cold Pressing Accelerates

Supercritical CO2 extraction accounted for 45.21% of the Amaranth oil market size by extraction method in 2025. The method supports premium cosmetic and pharmaceutical procurement because it preserves valuable compounds while avoiding conventional solvent residues. A review of supercritical CO2 technology described its use in recovering antioxidants, polyphenols, and essential fatty acids from biomass. This method fits buyers that need clear analytical documentation and a carefully controlled extraction process, especially when procurement teams must assess a supplier's residue controls, material specifications, and suitability for higher-value finished products. FLAVEX lists organic certification and ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and HACCP references for its amaranth seed CO2 extract. The method's position therefore reflects both quality requirements and the importance of certification in the Amaranth oil market. It can also help suppliers support traceability discussions with regulated customers.

Cold pressing is forecast to expand at a 6.47% CAGR between 2026 and 2031. Its lower capital requirement makes it accessible to processors that cannot invest in pressurized supercritical CO2 systems. The method also suits buyers that associate cold-pressed oils with minimal processing, a preference that is relevant when finished products emphasize ingredient simplicity, a short processing description, and a visible connection to the original seed. The Amaranth oil market can therefore support parallel demand for cold-pressed and CO2-extracted formats. Buyers increasingly compare finished-oil squalene content and other quality measures, not only the extraction label. This comparison can narrow the premium difference between the two methods. Suppliers that validate composition, origin, and processing quality can compete more effectively across both formats.

By Category: Conventional Oil Leads While Organic Oil Gains Support

Conventional oil held 67.85% of the Amaranth oil market size by category in 2025. Its position is linked to use in cost-sensitive food channels, larger pharmaceutical procurement programs, and established supplement supply chains. Many commercial growing areas do not have the organic certification systems needed for certified supply. Conventional supply is therefore the practical option for volume buyers in many locations. The category's share reflects availability as well as purchasing preferences, because buyers that need stable volume cannot always source material from the smaller number of farms and processors operating under recognized organic certification systems. It also means that the broader Amaranth oil market remains dependent on cultivation systems outside certified cooperative networks. As certified cultivation expands, the difference between conventional and organic availability may narrow.

Organic oil is expected to grow at a 6.68% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. Premium cosmetic companies seek certified raw materials because certification can support sourcing claims and ingredient transparency. Peru, Bolivia, and India are relevant origins for this category because they are connected to organic cultivation and botanical ingredient supply. The original research referenced trade activity that linked Peruvian Andean grain producers with international buyers, but the cited intermediary source does not meet the required source standard and is not used here. The commercial opportunity remains tied to the ability of growers and processors to secure recognized organic certification, maintain the related records through the supply chain, and deliver enough consistent material for cosmetic and nutrition customers. Organic supply also requires longer procurement planning because documentation and sourcing conditions can add complexity. This gives certified processors a stronger position in the premium Amaranth oil market.

By Application: Food and Beverages Lead While Cosmetics and Personal Care Grows Fastest

Food and beverages held 38.26% of the Amaranth oil market size by application in 2025. The segment uses the oil in health-positioned edible blends, functional snacks, and fortified beverage formats. Grain amaranth is a pseudocereal, which supports its relevance in gluten-free formulations and allergen-aware product lines. Tocopherols and phytosterols support the ingredient's role in food products positioned around nutrition and wellness, while the oil format allows manufacturers to incorporate these components into blends and fortified products without changing the broader use case of the food. Pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements also form an important application group because buyers value phytosterols and squalene. Other applications include microencapsulated formats for sports nutrition and research into bio-lubricants. These uses make food applications a broad revenue base for the Amaranth oil market.

Cosmetics and personal care is forecast to grow at a 7.02% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. This rate reflects formulators' interest in plant-derived squalene for barrier-repair serums, anti-aging moisturizers, eye creams, and hair care products. The 2026 dermatologic study supports attention to amaranth oil's composition and effects in skin-related models. Competition for premium, unrefined, squalene-rich batches may increase as cosmetic demand rises. Cosmetics can support higher unit pricing than lower-margin food applications, which can influence how processors grade available batches and how they allocate oil with stronger squalene levels or more complete certification records. Processors may therefore direct their highest-quality batches to personal-care customers. This could tighten supply for premium food formulations while making certification and batch consistency more important across the Amaranth oil industry.

Geography Analysis

North America held 41.28% of the Amaranth oil market share in 2025. The region benefits from an established specialty-ingredient distribution network and a substantial base of natural and organic product launches. The United States drives much of this demand through nutraceutical brands seeking plant-based alternatives to marine-derived squalene. Its dietary supplement and functional food channels also place value on clean-label sourcing, which gives distributors and manufacturers a reason to seek materials supported by origin records, composition information, and a clear account of the extraction method. The GRAS framework lowers barriers for ingredient commercialization in applicable food and supplement uses. Canada is a secondary opportunity where natural health product rules provide structured approval pathways for botanical ingredients. These features make North America the largest regional market for the period covered.

Asia-Pacific is projected to grow at a 6.63% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. India and China are relevant because of expanding amaranth grain cultivation and broader demand for functional nutrition. K-beauty and J-beauty formats have also familiarized consumers with premium botanical oils in daily skincare. India is a notable supply location for science-based botanical actives and related manufacturing capabilities. South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Singapore are high-value formulation markets for squalene-rich skincare ingredients. The region's combination of production potential and cosmetic demand strengthens its role in the Amaranth oil market, because processors can serve local formulation demand while also participating in the wider supply of specialty botanical ingredients.

Europe remains a premium extraction and formulation center, particularly in Germany, France, and the Czech Republic. REACH requirements and EU Organic certification favor processors that can show robust compliance documentation. South America, led by Peru and Bolivia, remains important for certified organic seed supply, although fragmented cultivation and seasonal quality differences mean that buyers must actively manage sourcing schedules and documentation requirements. Research also identified Southern African Development Community countries, including South Africa, as a possible additional cultivation area for grain amaranth. Middle East and Africa remains at an earlier stage, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia serving mainly as import and distribution points for premium natural oils. Geographic diversification could reduce the Amaranth oil market's exposure to seasonal supply variability in existing production regions.