Krill Omega-3 Sales Up 43% in Natural Retail Channel, Aker BioMarine Reports at SupplySide West

Sales of omega-3 krill oil grew 43% in the natural retail channel in the last year. Krill ingredients supplier Aker BioMarine Antarctic (Oslo, Norway) reported the statistic, which it obtained from market researcher SPINS*, at the recent SupplySide West trade show in October. It says krill oil’s growth outpaced the growth of other sources of omega-3s.

Aker BioMarine, which supplies Superba krill oil, said the skyrocketing growth likely stems from high interest in the food, drug, and mass channel, where krill supplement sales grew 70% last year. “At this rate,” the company stated in a press release, “Aker believes krill supplement sales will soon become the second largest category of omega-3 supplements in [the food, drug, and mass channel].”

“We are encouraged by these numbers because [they signify] reinvigorated growth in the natural channel,” said Aker’s vice president of global marketing Eric Anderson, in the press release. “A consumer study sponsored by Aker this year showed that nearly 4 out of 10 omega-3 supplement users are looking for an alternative omega-3 source.”

“Krill phospholipid omega-3s provide an excellent user experience in the form of smaller capsules and easy digestion, both of which continue to drive repeat purchase,” he added.

* SPINSscan Natural data from the 52 weeks ending July 7, 2012.