As part of Nutraceuticals World’s 2026 State of the Industry review, Ellen Schutt, Managing Director of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), highlights how tariffs, inflation, and raw material shortages are reshaping the omega-3 supply chain. She discusses the need for diversified EPA and DHA sources to maintain stability and ensure long-term category growth.

The biggest challenge in the omega-3 industry, as throughout the supplement industry, has been the impact of tariffs and the uncertainty associated with an ever-changing global landscape. GOED is already seeing some changes in the flow of omega-3 oils and products throughout the supply chain to accommodate the changing requirements and we expect this to continue.

While demand for EPA and DHA products continues to grow, there are also concerns about the potential effect of inflation, as consumers need to make some difficult decisions on how to spend their disposable income.

The omega-3 supply chain itself is in a questionable state, with the second Peru anchovy season’s quota announced at a much lower level than industry expected and it remains to be seen how this will impact the supply situation.

GOED’s message continues to be that the industry needs to consider additional sources of EPA and DHA — algae, krill, other fish sources like sardine oil, tuna, salmon, etc. — to maintain the long-term stability of the category.

The other focus for GOED this year has been DRIs and the potential for an intake recommendation in the U.S. and Canada. While the project had reportedly been funded by both countries earlier this year, recent reports are that this may be in jeopardy due to certain decisions from the U.S. Administration, and this was compounded by the government shutdown.