Aquafeed Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Aquafeed Market is projected to expand from USD 69.17 Billion in 2025 to USD 107.41 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 7.61%. Aquafeed serves as a specialized, compounded nutritional solution derived from raw materials like fishmeal, vegetable proteins, and oils, designed to bolster the health and development of aquatic species within commercial farming environments. This growth is principally fueled by rising global seafood consumption and the critical requirement to supplement plateauing wild-capture stocks through intensive aquaculture methods. Furthermore, the industrial pivot toward scientifically formulated diets to optimize yields and enhance food security continues to support the sector's trajectory by guaranteeing reliable protein supplies.

However, the industry faces substantial hurdles related to volatile raw material costs and environmental instability, which threaten supply chain continuity. Heavy reliance on specific ingredients exposes manufacturers to price swings and availability shortages that directly impact profit margins. For example, the China Feed Industry Association reported a 3.5 percent decline in aquafeed production in 2024 compared to the prior year, attributed to adverse weather and low farm gate prices. This statistic underscores the market's vulnerability to external economic and climatic variables that can temporarily impede developmental momentum.

Market Drivers

The swift growth of commercial and intensive aquaculture operations acts as a primary catalyst for market expansion, a trend necessitated by the plateauing of wild-capture fisheries. As producers adopt high-stocking density models, the demand for scientifically formulated aquafeed has increased significantly to guarantee optimal feed conversion ratios and harvest reliability.

This shift away from traditional capture methods is corroborated by global output metrics; according to the 'The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024' report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in June 2024, global aquaculture production hit a record 130.9 million tonnes in 2022, exceeding aquatic animal production from capture fisheries. Consequently, this intensification supports manufacturing volumes, with Alltech's '2024 Agri-Food Outlook' from February 2024 noting that global aquafeed production reached 52.09 million metric tons in 2023, highlighting the sector's vital role in maintaining farming capacity.

Market trajectory is further quickened by strategic government interventions and investments aimed at developing aquaculture through infrastructure enhancements and modernization incentives. Countries focused on securing domestic food supplies are directing capital into the sector, effectively reducing entry barriers and subsidizing premium inputs. These policies frequently focus on upgrading supply chains and adopting farming technologies that require specialized nutrition, with emerging economies emphasizing the sector to improve rural earnings and export capabilities. For instance, the Government of India's Ministry of Finance, in its 'Interim Budget 2024-2025' released in February 2024, increased the budgetary allocation for the Department of Fisheries to INR 25.84 billion. Such financial backing fosters a supportive environment for the feed industry by cultivating a growing consumer base able to afford commercial diets.

Market Challenges

The global aquafeed market confronts significant obstacles arising from fluctuating raw material costs and environmental unpredictability, which continually undermine supply chain stability. Manufacturers rely heavily on finite marine ingredients, yet the availability of these essential inputs is often governed by erratic climatic conditions and strict fishing regulations. This dependency subjects the sector to abrupt shortages and steep price hikes, which directly diminish profitability and complicate strategic planning for producers. When the supply of critical components wavers, it triggers a ripple effect that disrupts the entire aquaculture production cycle and limits broader market growth.

This vulnerability is clearly demonstrated by recent production adjustments necessitated by regulatory and ecological limitations. According to the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation, European fishmeal production fell by more than 100,000 metric tonnes in 2024 relative to the prior year, a decline driven largely by reduced fishing quotas and restricted access to raw materials. Such substantial regional shortfalls underscore the industry's sensitivity to external environmental factors, as diminished ingredient volumes inevitably restrict manufacturing capabilities and hinder suppliers' capacity to satisfy the rising global demand for premium feed.

Market Trends

The commercial adoption of algae-based ingredients is transforming the market as manufacturers search for scalable, sustainable substitutes for finite marine resources such as fish oil. This shift is motivated by the pressing requirement to disconnect feed production from wild-capture fisheries while still delivering essential Omega-3 levels in aquatic diets. Producers are rapidly advancing industrial microalgae fermentation technologies to secure a reliable, contaminant-free source of fatty acids, thereby reducing risks linked to ocean temperature variances and supply chain interruptions. According to a June 2025 article by the Global Seafood Alliance titled 'Veramaris boosts algae oil production by 61 percent while cutting emissions', Veramaris recorded a 61 percent surge in its algae oil production volume in 2024, illustrating the sector's successful move toward industrial-scale non-marine ingredients.

Simultaneously, the rise of functional and health-focused feeds is gaining momentum as a vital strategy to bolster disease resistance and decrease dependency on pharmacological treatments. Feed formulations are increasingly utilizing specialized additives like probiotics, prebiotics, and immunostimulants to improve gut health and survival rates within intensive farming environments. This transition places precedence on preventative nutrition over reactive medication, satisfying both consumer preferences for antibiotic-free seafood and regulatory demands regarding antimicrobial resistance. As noted by Hatchery Feed Management in June 2025 within the 'Skretting highlights social license, emission cuts and new sustainability vision in 2024 report' article, Skretting disclosed that the share of its total feed containing antibiotics fell to 1.4 percent in 2024, evidencing the industry's effective integration of functional health diets.

Key Players Profiled in the Aquafeed Market

• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Ridley Corporation Limited
• DE Heus Animal Nutrition B.V.
• Biostadt India Limited
• NK Ingredients Pte Ltd.
• Marubeni Nisshin Feed Co., Ltd.
• Cargill, Inc.
• Nutreco N.V
• Avanti Feeds Ltd.
• Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Aquafeed Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Aquafeed Market, by Ingredient:

• Soybean
• Fish Meal
• Corn
• Fish Oil
• Additives
• Others

Aquafeed Market, by Additives:

• Amino Acids
• Vitamins & Minerals
• Prebiotics & Probiotics
• Enzymes
• Antibiotics
• Other

Aquafeed Market, by Species:

• Fish
• Crustaceans
• Molluscs
• Other

Aquafeed Market, by Form:

• Dry Form
• Wet Form
• Moist Form

Aquafeed Market, by Lifecycle:

• Grower feed
• Finisher feed
• Starter feed
• Brooder feed

Aquafeed Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Aquafeed Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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