Direct-Fed Microbials (DFM) Market Report 2026

The direct-fed microbials (DFM) market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.44 billion in 2025 to $1.54 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing livestock production intensity, rising awareness of animal gut health, adoption of feed efficiency solutions, expansion of commercial animal farming, regulatory limits on antibiotic usage.

The direct-fed microbials (DFM) market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.03 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable animal nutrition, rising investments in microbiome research, expansion of aquaculture feed additives, growing focus on animal immunity enhancement, increasing adoption of precision livestock farming. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of probiotic-based feed additives, rising demand for antibiotic-free livestock nutrition, growing focus on gut health optimization, expansion of species-specific microbial formulations, enhanced use of spore-forming bacteria.

The increasing demand for meat and milk consumption is expected to drive the growth of the direct-fed microbials (DFM) market in the coming years. Meat refers to the edible flesh of animals, including fish and birds, that can be part of a balanced and nutritious diet, while milk is a white liquid food produced by the mammary glands of mammals. Rising meat and milk consumption, particularly in developing economies, is largely attributed to population growth, urbanization, and increasing income levels. Direct-fed microbials are used to enhance animal growth performance and improve milk yield, helping producers meet the growing demand for animal-derived food products. For example, in March 2025, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), an Australia-based government agency, average daily consumption of milk products increased by 0.6 grams to 269.4 grams per person between 2022-23 and 2023-24, representing a 0.2% rise, while consumption of meat and poultry products grew by 2.3% in 2023-24. Therefore, the rising demand for meat and milk consumption is supporting the growth of the direct-fed microbials market.

The implementation of stringent regulations on antibiotic usage is also expected to propel the growth of the direct-fed microbials (DFMs) market going forward. Antibiotics are medications used to inhibit or eliminate bacterial growth and are commonly applied to treat infections in humans and animals. However, excessive and improper use of antibiotics in animal agriculture has raised concerns about the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can be transmitted to humans through the food chain and pose serious public health risks. Efforts to phase out antibiotic growth promoters, increasing consumer demand for antibiotic-free animal products, and a global shift toward responsible antibiotic usage have accelerated the adoption of DFMs as effective alternatives. For instance, in August 2025, according to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC), an Australia-based government agency, a total of 23,190,360 antimicrobial prescriptions were dispensed in 2024, reflecting a 4.8% increase compared to 2023. Therefore, stricter regulations on antibiotic usage are driving the growth of the direct-fed microbials market.

In March 2024, Novus International, Inc., a US-based provider of animal nutrition and feed additive solutions, acquired BioResource International, Inc. (BRI) for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Novus aims to strengthen its direct-fed microbial and enzyme-based feed solution capabilities by integrating BRI’s microbial feed additives, enzyme technologies, and proprietary intellectual property. This move enhances Novus’s innovation pipeline and supports the development of advanced gut health and performance-enhancing products for global animal agriculture markets. BioResource International, Inc. is a US-based company specializing in feed enzyme solutions and microbial feed additives.

Major companies operating in the direct-fed microbials (DFM) market are Lallemand Inc, BIOMIN Holding GmbH, Alltech Inc, Chr Hansen Holding A S, Novus International Inc, Kemin Industries Inc, Adisseo, Lesaffre, Nutreco N V, Provita Eurotech Ltd, Pure Cultures LLC, Unique Biotech Ltd, Suzhou Vdo Biotech Co Ltd, Bentoli Inc, Bio Vet Inc, Evonik Industries AG, Danisco A S, DSM Firmenich Animal Nutrition, Phileo by Lesaffre, Calpis Co Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the direct-fed microbials (DFM) market in 2025. The regions covered in the direct-fed microbials (DFM) market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the direct-fed microbials (DFM) market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The direct-fed microbials (DFMs) market consists of sales of rumen microbes, lactic acid-producing. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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