Aquafeed Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Ingredient (Soybean, Fish Meal, Corn, Fish Oil, Additives, Others), By Additives (Amino Acids, Vitamins & Minerals, Prebiotics & Probiotics, Enzymes, Antibiotics, Other), By Species (Fish, Crustaceans, Molluscs, Other), By Form (Dry Form, Wet Form, Moist Form), By Lifecycle (Grower feed, Finisher feed, Starter feed, Brooder feed), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 69.17 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.61%
Fastest Growing Segment	Starter feed
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 107.41 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Aquafeed Market will grow from USD 69.17 Billion in 2025 to USD 107.41 Billion by 2031 at a 7.61% CAGR. Aquafeed is a specialized compounded nutritional product formulated from raw materials such as fishmeal, vegetable proteins, and oils to support the growth and health of aquatic species in commercial farming. The market is primarily driven by the escalating global consumption of seafood and the urgent need to supplement stagnating wild capture supplies through intensive aquaculture production. Additionally, the industrial shift toward scientifically balanced diets to maximize yield and food security further underpins the sector's expansion by ensuring consistent protein availability.

However, the industry encounters significant impediments regarding the volatility of raw material costs and environmental instability which can disrupt supply chains. High dependence on specific ingredients leaves manufacturers vulnerable to price fluctuations and availability issues that directly affect profitability. According to the China Feed Industry Association, in 2024, aquafeed production decreased by 3.5 percent compared to the previous year due to unfavorable weather conditions and weak farm gate prices. This data highlights the susceptibility of the market to external economic and climatic factors that can temporarily hinder growth.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid expansion of commercial and intensive aquaculture operations serves as a fundamental engine for market growth, necessitated by the stagnation of wild-capture fisheries. As producers transition toward high-stocking density models, the dependence on scientifically formulated aquafeed has surged to ensure optimal feed conversion ratios and harvest consistency. This production scaling is evident in global output metrics which confirm the shift away from traditional capture methods. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), June 2024, in the 'The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024' report, global aquaculture production reached a record 130.9 million tonnes in 2022, surpassing capture fisheries in aquatic animal production. Consequently, this intensification directly bolsters manufacturing volumes. According to Alltech, February 2024, in the '2024 Agri-Food Outlook', global aquafeed production volume reached 52.09 million metric tons in 2023, reflecting the sector's critical role in sustaining this farming capacity.

Strategic government initiatives and investments in aquaculture development are further accelerating market trajectory by enhancing infrastructure and incentivizing modernization. Nations aiming to secure domestic food supplies are channeling funds into the sector, which lowers entry barriers and subsidizes high-quality inputs. These policies often target supply chain upgrades and farming technologies requiring specialized nutrition. For instance, emerging economies are prioritizing this sector to boost rural incomes and export potential. According to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, February 2024, in the 'Interim Budget 2024-2025', the budgetary allocation for the Department of Fisheries was enhanced to INR 25.84 billion. Such financial commitments create a favorable environment for the feed industry by ensuring a growing base of consumers capable of purchasing commercial diets.

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Key Market Challenges

The global aquafeed market faces substantial headwinds due to the volatility of raw material costs and environmental instability, which persistently disrupt supply chain reliability. Manufacturers heavily depend on finite marine ingredients, yet the supply of these critical inputs is frequently dictated by unpredictable climatic patterns and stringent fishing regulations. This reliance exposes the sector to sudden shortages and sharp price escalations, directly eroding profitability and making strategic planning difficult for feed producers. When the availability of essential components fluctuates, it creates a ripple effect that destabilizes the entire aquaculture production cycle and constrains broader market expansion.

Evidence of this vulnerability is apparent in recent production shifts driven by regulatory and ecological constraints. According to the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation, in 2024, fishmeal production in Europe declined by over 100,000 metric tonnes compared to the previous year primarily due to lower fishing quotas and limited raw material access. Such significant regional deficits highlight the industry's susceptibility to external environmental factors, as reduced ingredient volumes inevitably constrain manufacturing capacity and hamper the ability of suppliers to meet the growing global demand for high quality feed.

Key Market Trends

The commercialization of algae-based ingredients is reshaping the market as manufacturers seek scalable, sustainable alternatives to finite marine resources like fish oil. This trend is driven by the urgent need to decouple feed production from wild-capture fisheries while maintaining essential Omega-3 levels in aquatic diets. Producers are rapidly industrializing microalgae fermentation technologies to ensure a consistent, contaminant-free supply of fatty acids, thereby mitigating the risks associated with ocean temperature fluctuations and supply chain disruptions. According to the Global Seafood Alliance, June 2025, in the 'Veramaris boosts algae oil production by 61 percent while cutting emissions' article, Veramaris reported a 61 percent increase in its algae oil production volume in 2024, demonstrating the sector's successful transition toward industrial-scale non-marine ingredients.

Concurrently, the proliferation of functional and health-oriented feeds is gaining traction as a critical strategy to enhance disease resistance and reduce reliance on pharmacological treatments. Feed formulations are increasingly incorporating specialized additives such as probiotics, prebiotics, and immunostimulants to strengthen gut health and survival rates in intensive farming systems. This shift prioritizes preventative nutrition over reactive medication, addressing both consumer demand for antibiotic-free seafood and regulatory pressures regarding antimicrobial resistance. According to Hatchery Feed Management, June 2025, in the 'Skretting highlights social license, emission cuts and new sustainability vision in 2024 report' article, Skretting revealed that the percentage of its total feed containing antibiotics decreased to 1.4 percent in 2024, reflecting the industry's effective adoption of functional health diets.

Segmental Insights

Based on information from trusted market intelligence, the Starter feed segment is currently identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Aquafeed Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the critical necessity of providing fortified nutrition during the vulnerable early life stages of aquatic species to ensure robust physiological development. Commercial breeders are increasingly prioritizing specialized starter formulations to maximize survival rates and strengthen immune systems, effectively reducing disease susceptibility in fry and fingerlings. Furthermore, the global shift towards intensive aquaculture practices has heightened the demand for high-quality, digestible early-stage feeds that establish uniform growth and optimize long-term stock productivity.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific maintains a dominant position in the global aquafeed market, driven by its substantial aquaculture production capacity. Major producers such as China, India, and Vietnam contribute significantly to this demand, supported by the increasing adoption of commercial feed over traditional feeding methods. The region benefits from rising domestic seafood consumption and strong export requirements that necessitate quality feed inputs. Furthermore, data from the Food and Agriculture Organization indicates that this region accounts for the majority of global aquaculture output, creating a sustained requirement for diverse feed products to support sector expansion.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, BioMar, Innovafeed, and the retail group Auchan formed a strategic partnership to commercialize insect-based shrimp feed in Ecuador. This collaboration marked a significant milestone for the industry by integrating insect protein from black soldier flies into commercial shrimp diets on a large scale. The initiative was designed to reduce reliance on traditional marine ingredients and wild-caught fish, promoting a more circular and sustainable aquaculture model. Under the agreement, the retailer committed to marketing shrimp raised on this novel feed, thereby supporting the entire value chain from feed production to consumer availability. The partners highlighted that the insect meal offers functional benefits, such as antimicrobial peptides, which enhance shrimp health.
• In May 2025, German feed premix manufacturer MIAVIT GmbH and Norwegian company Arctic Feed Ingredients AS announced a strategic partnership to launch a new brand called "Marfeed." This collaboration aims to deliver innovative, science-backed feed additives specifically for the global aquaculture sector. The joint venture focuses on improving the health, welfare, and productivity of farmed aquatic species through advanced nutritional solutions. Company representatives emphasized that the partnership leverages MIAVIT's leadership in premixes and Arctic Feed Ingredients' specialized experience in marine ingredients to create long-term value. The Marfeed product line was made available in over 30 countries, including major aquaculture markets like Norway, Vietnam, and Chile.
• In September 2024, Cargill Aqua Nutrition introduced "Effective Energy," a new precision nutrition framework designed to enhance salmon feed formulations. Building on the company's previous "Essential Nitrogen" concept, this second phase integrates nutritional insights with commercial tank and feed formulation data to create customized nutritional plans for specific farming sites. The initiative aims to optimize feeding strategies by accounting for factors such as seasonal changes, fish life stages, and economic constraints like raw material prices. By focusing on precise energy and nitrogen utilization, the company intends to help salmon producers maximize fish growth and health while reducing costs and environmental impact.
• In February 2024, Skretting launched a new premium grower feed named Cosmos, specifically tailored for the farmed barramundi market. The company developed this diet over three years to address the specific nutritional requirements and digestive capabilities of the species. Skretting stated that the formulation offers precisely balanced levels of digestible protein, energy, and phosphorous to optimize fish performance and farm efficiency. Trials conducted in commercial environments demonstrated that the new feed could improve growth rates and lower feed conversion ratios. The product was initially introduced in Australia, with plans for expansion to other countries to support the sustainable development of the barramundi industry.

Key Market Players

• 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

By Ingredient	By Additives	By Species	By Form	By Lifecycle	By Region
Soybean Fish Meal Corn Fish Oil Additives Others	Amino Acids Vitamins & Minerals Prebiotics & Probiotics Enzymes Antibiotics Other	Fish Crustaceans Molluscs Other	Dry Form Wet Form Moist Form	Grower feed Finisher feed Starter feed Brooder feed	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Aquafeed Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• 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
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE