Refined Fish Oil Shortage till May. 2026

Refined fish-oil supplies are tight in 2025 mainly due to limited raw materials, rising global demand, and processing bottlenecks.

Environmental disruptions and stricter fishing quotas have reduced catches and lowered oil yields, especially in key regions like Peru. At the same time, demand from aquaculture, supplements, and pet food continues to grow, with aquaculture absorbing most available fish oil. This imbalance is intensified by the higher production complexity and limited capacity for refining high-purity oils. As a result, even when crude fish-oil output increases, refined oil remains scarce, expensive, and vulnerable to supply volatility.

Short-term tightness: Expect continued volatility in availability of refined fish oil, especially high-EPA/DHA concentrates used in supplements — prices may stay high or fluctuate, and supply may be patchy.

Increased competition between industries: Aquaculture ↔ supplement/pet food demand — with feed often prioritized, which could squeeze refined-oil supply for human use.

Growing interest in alternatives: Because of supply uncertainty and sustainability concerns, many producers and consumers may shift toward alternative omega-3 sources (e.g. algal oil, other plant-based or microbial oils). This structural shift might somewhat ease pressure on fish-oil supply over time.

Need for sustainable sourcing & regulation: To avoid overfishing, ecosystem damage and further disruption, responsible fishing, quotas, and certification are likely to play larger roles — but that may also mean limited production growth capacity.

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