2026 Pearls Industry Data Reveals Freshwater Growth and Trade Shifts

A mix-shift is under way in the pearls business: Datainsightsmarket reports the global pearl culture market was valued at USD 1.7 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.8 billion by 2033, a CAGR of 6.5% for 2025-2033, while Persistencemarketresearch forecasts saltwater pearls will account for approximately 60% of the market in 2026 even as freshwater pearls emerge as the fastest-growing segment.

The non-jewelry takeaway is clear. Persistencemarketresearch sizes the pearl extract market at US$493.0 million in 2026 and projects growth to US$693.7 million by 2033 at a 5.0% CAGR; the report links that submarket to rising demand for natural skincare ingredients, anti-aging and brightening agents, and advances in powder and liquid extraction technologies that increase bioavailability for cosmetics and nutraceutical uses.

Definitions matter for valuation and merchandising. Datainsightsmarket itemizes product categories: freshwater pearls are "cultivated in mollusks in freshwater environments" and are typically less expensive while offering a wide variety of colors and shapes; saltwater pearls are "cultivated in mollusks in saltwater environments" and are renowned for "exceptional luster, smoothness, and durability"; cultured pearls are described as artificially induced formation offering pearl aesthetics at lower cost; imitation pearls are made of non-pearly materials that resemble natural pearls.

Production-side advances are lifting supply and quality. An industry post on LinkedIn highlights that "Technological advancements play a pivotal role in the Pearl Culture industry by enhancing cultivation processes and improving pearl quality," citing innovations such as better disease management, optimized water quality control, and selective breeding programs that have increased yields and quality and expanded market reach through digital marketing and distribution.

Regional reporting frameworks show the need for local analysis. Cognitivemarketresearch covers historical performance from 2021 to 2024 and issues forecasts for 2025 to 2033 with market-size breakdowns for the UK, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. Canada is treated explicitly in 6wresearch, which lists Canada pearl jewelry revenues and volume for 2022 and a 2032 forecast and highlights drivers including "Growing consumer interest in sustainable and ethically sourced jewelry" and "Increasing popularity of pearl jewelry among millennials and Gen Z."

Supply risks and sustainability are shaping strategy. LinkedIn and 6wresearch both flag supply chain disruptions and weather-driven cultivation challenges as restraints, while Datainsightsmarket and Persistencemarketresearch point to sustainability initiatives and freshwater aquaculture scalability as factors favoring freshwater growth and eco-conscious sourcing.

Data caveats remain. Worldmetrics published a Pearls Industry Statistics dataset on Feb 12, 2026 but the extract available here is truncated mid-sentence; Datainsightsmarket's pearl-culture figures appear inside a document header referencing a United States Specialty Fertilizer Market, which requires verification. Buyers, sellers and editors should confirm the original Persistencemarketresearch, Datainsightsmarket, Cognitivemarketresearch, 6wresearch and Worldmetrics reports for methodology and scope before citing figures. Have you sold a freshwater strand recently? Tell us what you got.