Feed Plant Based Protein Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Concentrates, Isolates, Others), By Livestock (Poultry, Ruminants, Swine, Aquatic Animals, Others), By Source (Soy, Wheat, Pea, Sunflower, Others), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

Global Feed Plant Based Protein Market was valued at USD 22.97 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 34.38 billion in the forecast period with a CAGR of 6.91% through 2030. The rising demand for sustainable and ethical animal nutrition is one of the primary drivers of the global feed plant-based protein market. As consumers increasingly prioritize environmental concerns and animal welfare, livestock and aquaculture producers are shifting toward plant-based protein ingredients such as soybean meal, canola meal, peas, and algae. These ingredients not only reduce reliance on animal-derived feeds and fishmeal but also offer a lower carbon footprint and competitive nutritional value, making them attractive options for feed manufacturers worldwide.

Key Market Drivers

Growing Demand of Plant Based Meat Alternatives in Animal Feed 

As consumer awareness around sustainability and animal welfare grows, so does the demand for plant‑based meat alternatives in animal feed. Farmers and feed manufacturers are increasingly turning to protein-rich ingredients like soybean meals, peas, and canola to reduce dependence on fishmeal and other animal‑derived components. A recent study highlights that plant‑based feed sources such as soybeans require about 1,000 liters of water per kilogram of protein, compared to over 15,000 liters needed to produce an equivalent amount of beef protein.

Moreover, the environmental gains from this shift are significant. Research indicates that substituting traditional feed with plant‑based proteins can slash greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% compared to conventional options. Coupled with advancements in processing techniques that enhance digestibility and amino‑acid balance, these ingredients now offer competitive nutrition profiles while drastically reducing the carbon footprint of animal agriculture.

This trend is further supported by global land‑use benefits. With roughly 77% of agricultural land currently dedicated to animal agriculture even though livestock yields just 17% of the world’s food supply shifting feed formulations offers a powerful pathway to reclaiming land for ecosystem regeneration and sustainable crops. In particular, plant‑based feed adoption could contribute to halting deforestation and biodiversity loss driven by extensive feed‑crop cultivation.

Finally, policy landscapes and corporate strategies are aligning to support this transformation. Governments and NGOs are increasingly incentivizing resource‑efficient practices, and eco‑certification schemes are rewarding feed producers who minimize environmental impact. In combination with consumer demand for "greener" meat and seafood, these dynamics are accelerating the integration of plant‑based meat alternatives into mainstream animal feed—positioning them as a critical piece in the drive toward a more sustainable food system.

Growing Health Consciousness

As global health awareness surges, consumers are increasingly turning to dietary choices that boost wellbeing, longevity, and disease prevention. They’re not just watching calories they’re prioritizing nutrient-rich ingredients like plant-based proteins, fiber, and antioxidants. This shift reflects a growing consensus: food is medicine, and what we eat now directly affects how we age and feel tomorrow.

A recent report found that 70% of global consumers consider themselves proactive in managing their health, and 57% now place more emphasis on “aging well” than they did five years ago. This widespread proactive attitude underscores a collective momentum toward food choices that support long-term vitality. As a result, health-focused feed ingredients—such as legumes, algae, and nut meals—are benefiting from the same consumer drivers that revolutionize human food.

This heightened vigilance has also shifted trust dynamics: 82% of consumers demand transparency and scientifically supported nutrition claim. Feed manufacturers are responding by adopting rigorous quality standards, third-party certifications, and data-backed formulations. These measures not only build credibility but also align with consumers’ desire for traceable, ethical, and health-promoting food systems.

In turn, livestock and aquaculture producers are meeting rising demand by integrating plant-sourced proteins that can enhance animal immunity, support gut health, and reduce inflammatory markers. The result? A virtuous cycle of feed innovation, animal wellbeing, and consumer confidence—underpinned by a generation increasingly convinced that healthy beginnings start with what animals consume.  

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Key Market Challenges

Nutritional Limitations and Anti-Nutritional Factors

One of the significant challenges in the feed plant-based protein market is the inherent nutritional limitations of plant-derived ingredients. While plant-based proteins such as soybean meal, canola meal, and pea protein offer eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives, they often lack one or more essential amino acids required for optimal animal growth and health. For example, lysine and methionine—critical for muscle development and immune function—are typically present in lower concentrations in many plant-based ingredients compared to animal-derived proteins. As a result, feed manufacturers must rely on amino acid supplementation, which increases the cost of production. Additionally, formulating a balanced diet using solely plant proteins requires precise knowledge of each ingredient’s digestibility and bioavailability, which varies across livestock species. This complexity makes it difficult to develop one-size-fits-all formulations and limits the scalability of plant-based feeds in large commercial farming operations.

In addition to amino acid imbalances, anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) present another hurdle in utilizing plant-based proteins for animal feed. Compounds such as phytic acid, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, and lectins naturally occur in plant materials and can interfere with nutrient digestion and absorption. For instance, phytic acid binds essential minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc, reducing their bioavailability and potentially leading to deficiencies in animals. Similarly, trypsin inhibitors hinder protein breakdown by blocking digestive enzymes. These effects not only compromise animal performance and health but may also necessitate further processing—such as heat treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, or fermentation—to deactivate ANFs. While these solutions are effective, they add to operational complexity and cost, posing challenges particularly for small-scale producers or those in emerging markets. Consequently, addressing anti-nutritional factors remains a key barrier to the widespread adoption of plant-based proteins in mainstream animal feed.

Key Market Trends

Integration of Alternative Protein Sources Beyond Traditional Soy

A major trend reshaping the feed plant-based protein market is the shift away from reliance on conventional soy toward a more diversified protein portfolio. While soybean meal has long been a staple due to its high protein content and digestibility, concerns over deforestation linked to soy cultivation, rising GM opposition, and price volatility are prompting feed producers to explore alternatives. Crops like fava beans, lupin, sunflower meal, and field peas are gaining traction due to their lower environmental impact, regional availability, and favorable amino acid profiles. These non-soy proteins offer potential for crop rotation benefits, nitrogen fixation, and soil health improvements, making them attractive in regenerative agriculture frameworks. Additionally, using varied protein sources helps mitigate the risk of feed supply disruptions, especially in regions facing trade barriers or climate-related production challenges. This diversification trend aligns with the industry's goals of sustainability, resilience, and regional self-sufficiency.

Another critical aspect of this trend is the growing adoption of novel and unconventional plant proteins, including ingredients like moringa, duckweed, algae, hemp, and lentils in animal feed formulations. These sources are being studied and tested for their nutritional viability, particularly for use in aquafeed and monogastric animal diets. Algae, for example, is valued not only for its protein content but also for its omega-3 fatty acids and bioactive compounds that support animal health. Similarly, hemp meal is gaining popularity for its balanced amino acid profile and digestibility. Feed companies and research institutions are investing heavily in trials and innovations to unlock the full potential of these crops, tailoring them to meet species-specific needs while also reducing ecological footprints. This evolving trend reflects a broader move toward functional and sustainable nutrition, where feed is not just a source of energy but also a tool for preventive health and environmental stewardship.

Segmental Insights

Type Insights

Based on the type, concentrates emerged as the dominant segment in the Global Feed Plant-Based Protein Market in 2024. This is due to their balanced nutritional profile, cost-effectiveness, and wide availability, making them highly suitable for various livestock diets. Protein concentrates typically retain 40–70% protein content and are rich in essential nutrients while maintaining lower fiber levels, enhancing digestibility in animals. Their ease of formulation and compatibility with other feed ingredients also contribute to their popularity. Additionally, their lower processing requirements compared to isolates make them more economical for feed manufacturers, especially in cost-sensitive and high-volume livestock production markets.

Source Insights

Based on the source, soy emerged as the dominant segment in the Global Feed Plant-Based Protein Market in 2024. This is due to its high protein content, favorable amino acid profile, and widespread availability across major feed-producing regions. Soybean meal, in particular, is a well-established feed ingredient known for its excellent digestibility and compatibility with the nutritional needs of poultry, swine, and aquaculture species. Additionally, decades of research and practical usage have made soy a reliable and standardized protein source for feed manufacturers. Its global production scale and efficient supply chains further contribute to its dominance, despite growing interest in alternative proteins.

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Regional Insights

Europe emerged as the dominant region in the Global Feed Plant-Based Protein Market in 2024. This is driven by the region’s strong regulatory push for sustainable agriculture, growing consumer preference for ethical food production, and high adoption of plant-based feed alternatives in livestock and aquaculture sectors. European Union policies promoting reduced reliance on imported animal protein and fishmeal have accelerated the use of plant-derived ingredients like soy, peas, and rapeseed meal. Additionally, initiatives under the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy are encouraging feed manufacturers to transition toward environmentally friendly and regionally sourced protein options. Countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands are leading innovation in feed formulation, supported by well-established R&D infrastructure and increasing investments in alternative protein processing technologies. These combined efforts are positioning Europe at the forefront of the global shift toward sustainable animal nutrition.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, ACI Group has launched a versatile line of plant-based protein ingredients—including pea, soy, wheat proteins, and a novel blended concentrate—to meet surging demand for sustainable, high-quality nutrition. Designed for diverse applications from meat alternatives to baked goods and protein-rich snacks, the portfolio delivers functionality in taste, texture, and shelf-life, supporting both food manufacturers and evolving consumer preferences.
• In February 2024, Roquette has expanded its NUTRALYS® pea protein portfolio with four new multifunctional variants—F853M (isolate), H85 (hydrolysate), T Pea 700FL, and T Pea 700M (textured)—enhancing taste, texture, and formulation versatility for plant-based foods. These innovations support diverse applications such as nutritional bars, drinks, meat and dairy alternatives, offering refined mouthfeel and high protein content to streamline product development and improve consumer appeal.
• In December 2024, Griffith Foods has launched its inaugural Alternative Proteins Portfolio, showcasing chef-created plant-based solutions across categories—seasonings, sauces, dressings, binders, coatings, and all-in-one mixes. This initiative marks a pivotal step toward making alternative proteins a cornerstone of its business, aligning with its 2030 sustainability goals in regenerative agriculture, net-zero emissions, nutrition, and serving underserved communities.
• In January 2025, GoodMills Innovation has launched GoWell® Tasty Protein, a plant-based protein blend designed specifically for baked goods. Composed of fava beans, yellow peas, sunflower seeds, and wheat, it delivers 60 % protein and a clean, subtle nutty flavor—free from off-notes. Easy to integrate into existing recipes, it enhances nutrition in items like buns, rolls, pretzels, and pancakes while preserving taste and texture.

Key Market Players

• The Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Roquette Freres SA
• Ingredion Incorporated
• Bluestar Adisseo Co., Ltd
• Kerry Group plc.
• Wilmar International Ltd
• AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG
• Avebe UA
• Alltech, Inc

Report Scope:

In this report, Global Feed Plant Based Protein market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends, which have also been detailed below:

• Feed Plant Based Protein Market, By Type:
• Concentrates
• Isolates
• Others
• Feed Plant Based Protein Market, By Livestock:
• Poultry
• Ruminants
• Swine
• Aquatic Animals
• Others
• Feed Plant Based Protein Market, By Source:
• Soy
• Wheat
• Pea
• Sunflower
• Others
• Feed Plant Based Protein Market, By Region:
• North America
• United States
• Mexico
• Canada
• Europe
• France
• Germany
• United Kingdom
• Spain
• Italy
• Asia-Pacific
• China
• India
• South Korea
• Japan
• Australia
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE

Competitive landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies in global Feed Plant Based Protein market.

Available Customizations:

With the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company’s specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

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