In the Asian-Pacific region there are about 110 companies producing microalgae, with an annual biomass production capacity between 3 and 500 ton. Chlorella, Spirulina and Dunaliella are by far the most common species. With 1600 ton/yr, Taiwan produces half of the world production of Chlorella. The USA and China are the leaders on the Spirulina market (annual world production 2500 ton). Australia is the main producer of beta-carotene, extracted from Dunaliella, with a yearly production of 16 tons.
There is a tendency for market concentration, and in the near future undoubtedly several production sites will be closed, esp. for Spirulina, that faces an actual overproduction. Quality control is one of the main issues for the producers. Spirulina is mainly used in human nutrition, as health food or as nutritional supplement. In the near future, the entire production of Spirulina will be made in controlled conditions (fermentors), in processing conditions warranting product quality.
(translation of (part of) article in French in Algorythme (N° 38, March/April 1998), source : Journal of Applied Phycology, 9(5), 1997)