Veterinary Antibiotics Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023-2028)

The veterinary antibiotics market is expected to register a CAGR of 3.9% over the forecast period.

The demand for veterinary antibiotics was severely hampered due to the significant impact on veterinary practice during the lockdown period. The diagnosis rate of veterinary infection declined during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The strict lockdown imposed in the majority of the countries was responsible for the negative impact on the veterinary practice along with the decline in demand for veterinary drugs including veterinary antibiotics. According to the study published by the British Veterinary Association, in May 2022, 32.8% of pet owners recorded difficulties in accessing veterinary healthcare during the initial phase of the COVID-19 lockdown. Veterinary healthcare facilities were open for emergency procedures however most of the prophylactic treatments were delayed for the animals.

Moreover, the disruption in the supply chain of veterinary pharmaceutical products, along with the reallocation of veterinarians for the management of COVID-19 had a significant impact on veterinary treatment which significantly hampered the market growth. Due to the above-mentioned factors, the majority of veterinary pharmaceutical companies recorded a significant decline in product sales during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, the increasing number of animal health concerns along with the growing awareness about veterinary diseases is anticipated to drive the adoption of veterinary antibiotics during the forecast period. The growing number of livestock in developing as well as developed countries are also supporting market growth. According to the data published by, Eurostat (European Union), there were more than 142 million pigs, 76 million bovine animals, 60 million sheep, and 11 million goats in European countries by the end of December 2021.

Moreover, the large number of pet owners and rising expenditure on animal health are also driving the demand for animal medicines including veterinary antibiotics. According to the data published by HealthforAnimals, the population of pets in European nations is more than 215 million pet owners as compared to China which had more than 131 million pet owners in 2021. Furthermore, the increasing number of veterinary insurance holders is also anticipated to drive the market for various animal medicines including veterinary antibiotics.

However, stringent regulations and increasing antibiotic resistance among food-producing animals, along with the scarcity of veterinarians and skilled farm workers hinder the market growth.

Veterinary Antibiotics Market Trends

Penicillin Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth Over the Forecast Period

Penicillin is anticipated to dominate the market growth owing to the increasing veterinary diseases amongst livestock along with the rising adoption of penicillin in the management of various infectious diseases. According to the UK Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance and Sales, Surveillance Report, penicillin is also the most frequently prescribed antibiotic and it accounted for 46% of the total antibiotics prescribed for dogs and cats in 2020.

Moreover, the rising cases of veterinary diseases including respiratory, skeletal, urinary, skin, and bacterial infections are also driving the market growth. According to the report published by US Department of Agriculture (Wildlife Services), the number of rabies cases in animals in the United States increased from 4,055 to 4,090 during 2017 to 2020. Furthermore, the easy availability of penicillin products as compared to the other antibiotics along with the growth initiatives of major players to effective use of anitiobiotics are also supporting the segment growth during the forecast period. For instance, in January 2022, ADM announced the launch of a customized antibiotic reduction program developed by Wisium, its premix and nutrition services business.

Therefore, the penicillin segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to increasing veterinary diseases and easy availability of the products in the market.

North America is Expected to Dominate the Veterinary Antibiotics Market

North America is expected to dominate the market owing to factors such as the increasing number of livestock and companion animals in the region. Moreover, increasing expenditure on animal health is also anticipated to support market growth. According to the study published by American Pet Products Association, in 2022, more than 90.5 million families owned a pet the number increased by 67% as compared to the number of pet owners in the year 2019. Furthermore, the increasing utilization of animal-based meat and high demand it is anticipated to drive the demand for animal feeds and medicines including veterinary antibiotics during the forecast period.

An increase in the number of veterinary clinics, the presence of key players in the region, and the growing awareness about veterinary diseases in livestock and companion animal owners are among the key factors which contribute to the growth of the studied market in North America. According to the report published by the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 121,461 veterinarians were practicing in around 28,000-30,000 veterinary practices in the United States in the year 2021. Also, the new product by key players in the region is also responsible for the growth of the market. For instance, in October 2022, Huvepharma Inc. announced the relaunch of PoultrySulfa (sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine and sulfaquinoxaline), the only FDA-approved triple-sulfa veterinary product available to the animal health market in the United States.

Therefore, the increasing number of livestock and companion animals in the region, increase in the number of veterinary clinics, and new product launches are estimated to support the market growth in the region.

Veterinary Antibiotics Market Competitor Analysis

The veterinary antibiotics market is moderately consolidated in nature due to the presence of key companies operating on global as well as regional levels. The competitive landscape includes an analysis of a few international as well as local companies which hold market shares and are well known. include Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH., Zoetis Services LLC., Elanco, Merck & Co., Inc., Phibro Animal Health Corporation., Virbac, Ceva, Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC, Huvepharma NV, Vetoquinol, among others.

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