Global Livestock Cake And Meal Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Competition, Opportunity, and Forecast, By Region, By Company 2021-2031F 2021-2031F

Key Insights	Details
Forecast Period	2025 - 2030
Market Size (2025)	USD 74.62 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.78%
Fastest Growing Segment	Sunflower meal
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 98.75 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Livestock Cake And Meal Market is expected to grow from USD 74.62 Billion in 2025 to USD 98.75 Billion by 2031 at a 4.78% CAGR. Livestock cake and meal refer to the protein-rich by-products derived from the processing of oilseeds, such as soybeans, rapeseed, and sunflower, after oil extraction, serving as essential components in animal feed formulations. The global market's expansion is fundamentally driven by sustained growth in the human population, which directly increases the demand for animal protein products including meat, dairy, and eggs. This escalating demand necessitates enhanced livestock productivity, further propelled by the intensification and industrialization of animal farming practices worldwide. A heightened focus on optimizing animal nutrition for improved health and feed conversion efficiency also significantly supports market growth. According to Alltech's 2026 Agri-Food Outlook, global feed production reached an estimated 1.44 billion metric tons in 2025, marking a 2.9% increase from 2024, indicating a strong recovery phase for animal agriculture.

Despite these robust drivers, the market faces a significant challenge from the inherent volatility of raw material prices. Fluctuations in the cost of oilseeds and other feed ingredients, often influenced by climatic conditions, geopolitical events, and supply chain disruptions, can directly impact the profitability of feed manufacturers and livestock producers. This price instability presents a continuous impediment to consistent market expansion and long-term planning within the global livestock feed industry.

Key Market Drivers

Rising protein demand and poultry growth drive oilseed meal demand
The Global Livestock Cake And Meal Market is primarily driven by the increasing global demand for animal protein products. A growing human population and rising disposable incomes, particularly in developing economies, fuel a sustained appetite for meat, dairy, and eggs. This escalating consumer demand directly necessitates higher animal production volumes and improved livestock performance, intensifying the requirement for protein-rich feed ingredients like oilseed cakes and meals. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in June 2026, in its 'Food Outlook', global poultry meat production is forecast to increase by 2.5% in 2026. This growth in protein consumption across various livestock species compels feed manufacturers to procure and process larger quantities of oilseeds.

Health focus and productivity gains boost demand for protein meals and feed additives
Another significant driver for the global livestock cake and meal market is the growing emphasis on animal health, nutrition, and productivity enhancement. Livestock producers worldwide are increasingly adopting advanced feed formulations to optimize growth rates, improve feed conversion efficiency, and bolster animal immunity, thereby reducing disease incidence and improving farm profitability. This focus translates into heightened demand for high-quality protein meals and specialized feed additives that contribute to balanced and effective animal diets. Evidence of this trend is seen in industry investments; according to Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, in June 2026, a new premix and feed additives production facility with an annual capacity of approximately 40,000 tons was opened in Apucarana, Brazil. Overall, the increasing trade of these essential feed ingredients reflects market vitality; according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in May 2026, in 'Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade', global oilseed meal trade is forecast up 6 percent to an all-time high of 119 million tons in 2026/27.

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Key Market Challenges

Raw material price volatility constrains market growth
The inherent volatility of raw material prices presents a significant challenge to the growth of the Global Livestock Cake And Meal Market. Fluctuations in the cost of oilseeds, such as soybeans, rapeseed, and sunflower, directly impact the profitability of feed manufacturers. These producers face continuous uncertainty in procurement, making consistent pricing strategies and long-term financial planning difficult. Such instability ultimately affects their ability to invest in expanded production capacities or operational efficiencies, thereby impeding consistent market expansion.

Instability in feed costs erodes margins and curtails expansion
This price instability for critical feed ingredients also directly hampers livestock producers. Increased and unpredictable input costs for animal feed formulations erode profit margins for meat, dairy, and egg production. For example, according to the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA), in August 2026, U.S. soybean crush volumes fell to an 11-month low, directly tightening soybean meal supply and driving futures prices sharply upward. Such sharp increases in ingredient costs necessitate adjustments in livestock production budgets and can deter expansion efforts, as producers become hesitant to commit to larger herds or flocks without stable feed pricing. This cautious approach slows the overall demand for livestock cake and meal, thereby limiting market growth.

Key Market Trends

Shift to sustainable sourcing and certified soy in livestock feeds
The global livestock cake and meal market is increasingly influenced by a significant shift towards sustainable feed ingredient sourcing. This trend is driven by consumer preferences for ethically produced animal products and stricter environmental regulations, compelling feed manufacturers to prioritize responsibly sourced oilseed meals. Consequently, the demand for certified sustainable options is rising, impacting procurement strategies and supply chain transparency. According to the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS), in October 2026, its "When the Round Table becomes a community" report highlighted that global certified soy production reached 11.2 million tonnes in 2025, demonstrating growing industry commitment to verified sustainable practices.

Adoption of novel proteins and investment in insect-based feeds
Another pivotal trend is the adoption of novel and alternative protein sources, which are diversifying the traditional protein landscape for animal feed and complementing conventional oilseed meals. These emerging ingredients, such as insect and algae proteins, offer sustainable and nutrient-rich alternatives, reducing reliance on single commodity sources. Investments in scaling up these new technologies are significant; for instance, Innovafeed, in June 2026, reportedly raised an additional €51 million to scale insect ingredients, with its Nesle plant producing more than 15,000 tons of black soldier fly protein and oil for animal and plant nutrition. This development indicates a move towards a more varied and resilient protein supply for livestock.

Segmental Insights

Sunflower Meal: Fastest-Growing, Cost-Effective, Protein-Rich Feed Ingredient
The Global Livestock Cake And Meal Market is witnessing significant growth in the sunflower meal segment, emerging as the fastest-growing product category. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by sunflower meal's competitive pricing compared to alternative protein sources like soybean meal, making it an economically attractive option for feed manufacturers. Furthermore, its high protein content, particularly in dehulled varieties, and the absence of anti-nutritional factors render it a safe and highly valuable feed ingredient across various livestock, including poultry, ruminants, and swine. This nutritional efficacy, coupled with increasing global demand for animal protein, positions sunflower meal as a crucial component in balanced and cost-effective animal feed formulations.

Regional Insights

Drivers of Asia-Pacific Leadership in the Livestock Cake and Meal Market
The Asia Pacific region holds a dominant position in the Global Livestock Cake And Meal Market due to several key factors. Rapid urbanization and growing disposable incomes across countries like China and India have significantly fueled the demand for protein-rich animal products, including meat, dairy, and seafood, directly boosting livestock production. This surge in consumption drives the expansion of commercial livestock farming, poultry, and aquaculture industries throughout the region, necessitating high-quality animal feed. Furthermore, strong governmental support for modern farming practices and food security initiatives, alongside increasing awareness of animal nutrition and advancements in feed technology, solidify Asia Pacific's market leadership.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, Mayank Cattle Food launched a new product, Masino Nuskho, specifically designed for animal post-delivery care. This traditional herbal and Ayurvedic formulation, developed under veterinary guidance, aims to support postnatal recovery, aid digestion, and promote overall well-being in livestock. The introduction of Masino Nuskho was intended to enhance the company's revenue, diversify its income streams, and strengthen market presence within the livestock cake and meal market by addressing the needs of health-conscious consumers. Mayank Cattle Food is a prominent company offering various products, including cattle food cake.
• In September 2025, a significant research breakthrough concerning grass protein for animal feed was announced by Aalborg University, in collaboration with industry partners Vestjyllands Andel and SEGES Innovation. Researchers successfully developed a method to extract protein from clover grass, eliminating its natural taste and smell while preserving essential amino acids. This innovation makes grass protein a commercially viable alternative to conventional protein sources like whey, soy, and animal proteins, with applications as feed protein for pigs and chickens through green biorefining. This development holds considerable potential for the livestock feed market.
• In late 2024, Arabian Mills announced the expansion of its animal feed range, Kamil, by launching multiple new poultry feed SKUs. This initiative was undertaken to capitalize on growing market opportunities and align with government policies aimed at increasing local poultry production. As a company focused on flour, bran, and feed markets, this new product development strengthened Arabian Mills' position within the animal feed sector. The expansion of the Kamil range represents a strategic move to broaden the company's portfolio in the global livestock meal market.
• In 2024, Avril, a major player in animal nutrition, expanded its presence by acquiring Metex, which was subsequently rebranded as Eurolysine. This strategic move enabled Avril to enter the fermentation amino acids market, a critical segment for high-nutritional-value protein ingredients in animal feed. The acquisition underscores Avril's commitment to supporting the agriculture sector by providing quality food for animals and reducing reliance on imported proteins. This development directly impacts the global livestock cake and meal market by diversifying the sources of protein-rich feed components.

Key Market Players

• Cargill, Incorporated.
• Wilmar International Ltd
• ADM (Archer Daniels Midland Company)
• Bunge India Private Limited
• Louis Dreyfus Holding B.V.
• COFCO
• Viterra
• Bunge
• Wilmar
• Louis Dreyfus

By Region

North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Livestock Cake And Meal 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