Alfalfa Market Report 2026

The alfalfa market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $30.79 billion in 2025 to $32.8 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of livestock farming activities, increasing demand for nutritious cattle feed, growth of dairy and meat production, favorable agronomic properties of alfalfa crops, development of global fodder trade.

The alfalfa market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $43.77 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing focus on sustainable livestock nutrition, rising demand for premium animal feed ingredients, expansion of export markets for forage crops, growing adoption of processed alfalfa formats, increasing integration of feed supply chains. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for high-protein animal feed, expansion of compressed alfalfa products, rising adoption of alfalfa in dairy nutrition, increased focus on feed quality and digestibility, growth of export-oriented alfalfa production.

The growing demand for animal feed is expected to support the expansion of the alfalfa market in the coming years. Animal feed refers to edible materials consumed by animals to provide energy, nutrition, or both as part of their diet. Alfalfa hay is commonly used as a protein-rich feed for cattle and horses and serves as a high-protein option for beef cattle fed on low-quality grass hay or corn stalk residues. As the need for animal feed continues to rise, it directly contributes to increased utilization of alfalfa, thereby supporting market growth. For example, in March 2024, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, a UK-based statutory levy board, poultry feed production reached 3.43 billion tonnes in 2022-2023 and rose to 3.56 billion tonnes in 2023-2024, representing an increase of 3.9%. Therefore, the rising demand for animal feed is driving the growth of the alfalfa market.

Companies operating in the alfalfa market are increasingly focusing on the development of innovative products, such as alfalfa protein ingredients, to support sustainability objectives, improve nutritional value, and expand applications in plant-based protein solutions. Alfalfa protein ingredients are concentrated protein products extracted from alfalfa leaves that offer functional nutrition while delivering a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional animal-based proteins. For instance, in October 2025, Leaft Foods, a New Zealand-based producer of leaf-derived protein ingredients, introduced Alfalfa Protein Concentrate (APC). This product is manufactured using a proprietary leaf-extraction process that produces a nutrient-dense, low-carbon protein containing omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin K. Its frozen-block format allows easy integration into manufacturing workflows and enables pet food producers to retain meat-forward formulations while reducing the overall carbon footprint of their products.

In September 2023, Delhi Land & Finance, an India-based real estate company, acquired Corteva Incorporation’s Alfalfa Breeding Program for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition strengthened DLF’s global position in alfalfa breeding by providing access to elite genetics, a well-established brand portfolio, and broader market reach, thereby enhancing its presence in the global forage industry. Corteva Incorporation is a US-based agricultural chemicals company specializing in seeds, crop protection, digital agriculture, and sustainable farming practices, with a strong emphasis on innovation and research.

Major companies operating in the alfalfa market are Alfalfa Monegros SL, Green Prairie International Inc, SL Follen Company, Bailey Farms Inc, Cubeit Hay Company, McCracken Hay Company, Border Valley, M&C Hay, Al Dahra ACX Global Inc, Standlee Hay Company, California Alfalfa Products Inc, NAFOSA, Anderson Hay Farms, Imperial Valley Milling Company, ACX Pacific Northwest Inc, Glenvar Hay Inc, Barenbrug USA, S&W Seed Company, Forage Genetics International, Cal West Seeds.

North America was the largest region in the alfalfa market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global alfalfa market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the alfalfa 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 alfalfa market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The alfalfa market consists of sales of alfalfa seeds, alfalfa hay, alfalfa sprouts, and alfalfa grass. 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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