Global Methionine Market Segmented By Type (DL-Methionine, Methionine Hydroxy Analogue (Mha) and L-Methionine), By Raw Material (Plant Based and Animal Based), By Application (Animal Feed, Food & Dietary Supplements, and Pharmaceuticals), By Company and By Geography, Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 6.21 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	9.22%
Fastest Growing Segment	DL-Methionine
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 10.54 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Methionine Market will grow from USD 6.21 Billion in 2025 to USD 10.54 Billion by 2031 at a 9.22% CAGR. Methionine is a sulfur-containing essential amino acid utilized primarily as a feed additive in poultry and swine nutrition to facilitate protein synthesis and improve growth performance. The market is fundamentally driven by the escalating global demand for animal protein which compels producers to adopt intensive farming practices and optimize feed conversion rates for greater efficiency. Additionally, the economic benefits of using supplemental amino acids to lower overall feed costs while maintaining nutritional value continue to support the steady adoption of methionine across the commercial livestock industry.

Nevertheless, market expansion is threatened by the significant challenge of supply chain concentration and the resulting vulnerability to trade interruptions. High dependence on limited manufacturing hubs exposes the industry to pricing volatility and logistical risks that can disrupt availability. According to the Institute for Feed Education and Research, in 2024, the United States sourced 87% of its methionine imports from China. This intense geographic centralization underscores the fragility of the global supply network and complicates procurement strategies for stakeholders seeking to ensure stable inventory levels.

Key Market Drivers

Rapid expansion of the commercial poultry sector serves as the primary catalyst for the Global Methionine Market, given that poultry feed accounts for the largest share of methionine consumption worldwide. As producers intensify operations to meet consumption needs, the inclusion of methionine becomes essential for ensuring rapid weight gain and feather quality in broilers. This biological necessity creates a direct correlation between bird inventory and additive demand. According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, October 2024, in the 'Livestock and Poultry: World Markets and Trade' report, global chicken meat production is forecast to rise to a record 104.9 million tons in 2025. Such projected volume growth necessitates a proportional increase in feed additive procurement to sustain production cycles and meet the nutritional requirements of larger flocks.

Growing emphasis on optimizing feed conversion ratios further accelerates market adoption, as producers seek to maximize output while mitigating volatile raw material costs. Methionine supplementation allows for the precise balancing of amino acids, which reduces the total amount of crude protein required, thereby enhancing overall cost-efficiency and minimizing nitrogen excretion. According to Adisseo, July 2024, in the 'First Half 2024 Results', the company reported a 14% increase in sales volumes compared to the previous year, driven explicitly by the robust performance of liquid methionine in cost-conscious markets. The scale of this requirement is substantial across the industry; according to Alltech, in 2024, global broiler feed production alone was estimated to be 385 million metric tons, underscoring the massive baseline demand for efficiency-enhancing additives.

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Key Market Challenges

Supply chain concentration constitutes a significant barrier to the stability and expansion of the global methionine market. The industry’s heavy reliance on a limited number of manufacturing hubs creates an environment of heightened vulnerability to logistical disruptions and trade volatility. When production is geographically centralized, local issues such as regulatory changes, shipping bottlenecks, or geopolitical tensions immediately reverberate across the global supply network, causing severe price fluctuations and inventory shortages. This unpredictability hampers the ability of livestock producers to forecast costs accurately and maintain consistent operational margins, effectively stifling long-term investment in the sector.

The extent of this strategic dependency is evident in major import regions, illustrating the fragility of the current market structure. According to the European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC), in 2025, China supplied between 70% and 80% of the volume of amino acids imported into the European Union. This imbalance highlights the lack of diversification in global sourcing strategies. Consequently, stakeholders are forced to navigate a precarious procurement landscape where the absence of alternative suppliers prevents the mitigation of supply risks, thereby restraining overall market confidence and growth.

Key Market Trends

The commercialization of bio-based fermentation processes is reshaping the market as stakeholders prioritize sustainability and margin stability over traditional fossil-fuel-based synthesis. This trend involves a strategic shift towards microbial production methods that offer reduced carbon footprints and higher profitability in the specialty additive sector. Manufacturers are increasingly leveraging these green technologies to mitigate the impact of volatile petrochemical raw material costs while meeting the rising demand for eco-friendly feed inputs. According to KED Global, April 2025, in the article 'CJ CheilJedang scraps $3.5 bn green bio sale', the company's bio business, which focuses on fermentation-derived additives, posted 337.6 billion won in operating profit in 2024, representing a 31% increase from the previous year. This financial success validates the industry's pivot toward high-value, bio-manufactured solutions to secure long-term competitiveness.

Simultaneously, the market penetration of rumen-protected technologies is accelerating as the dairy sector seeks to optimize milk protein synthesis while minimizing nitrogen emissions. Unlike standard additives that degrade in the rumen, these encapsulated solutions ensure precise amino acid delivery to the small intestine, allowing farmers to reduce overall crude protein dietary inclusion without compromising output. This efficiency-driven approach is gaining substantial traction among producers aiming to lower feed overheads and strictly adhere to environmental compliance standards. According to ChemChina, February 2025, in the article 'Adisseo achieves double-digit revenue and gross profit growth in 2024', the company’s ruminant animal products division established a new single-month sales record in December 2024. This surge highlights the expanding role of targeted ruminant supplementation in modern livestock management strategies.

Segmental Insights

The DL-Methionine segment is currently experiencing the most rapid expansion within the Global Methionine Market, primarily driven by its extensive application as a cost-efficient feed additive for the poultry and swine industries. This synthetic compound is highly valued for its nutritional efficiency, as livestock effectively convert the variant into usable protein to support weight gain. Continued regulatory validation from entities such as the European Food Safety Authority regarding its safety further accelerates industrial adoption. Consequently, the surging global demand for animal protein sources compels producers to increasingly rely on this specific amino acid to maximize agricultural productivity.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific holds the leading position in the global methionine market, largely fueled by the massive livestock industries in China and India. This dominance is supported by increasing disposable incomes and urbanization, which drive the demand for animal protein such as poultry and pork. Consequently, feed producers rely on methionine to ensure efficient animal growth. Furthermore, the region has strengthened its supply chain through significant investments in local manufacturing facilities. Policies from authorities like China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, which aim to improve feed quality standards, also support the widespread adoption of this essential additive.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd. reported a major operational breakthrough involving its joint venture with Sinopec, Ningbo Zhenhai Refining & Chemical NHU Biotechnology Co. The company announced that the new liquid methionine plant, which boasts an annual capacity of 180,000 tons, had successfully produced qualified liquid methionine hydroxy analogue following a trial phase that began in June. This development marked a successful integration of petrochemical raw materials into the feed additive supply chain. Following this milestone, the facility was scheduled for a routine maintenance period to optimize processes, further strengthening the company's competitive stance in the global liquid methionine sector.
• In February 2025, Sumitomo Chemical reached an agreement to significantly expand its distribution collaboration with ITOCHU Corporation regarding feed-additive methionine. The company announced that, starting in April 2025, it would sell the entire volume of methionine produced at its Ehime Works through the trading house's extensive global distribution network. This strategic initiative was intended to combine the company's cost-competitive integrated production capabilities with the partner's logistics expertise across more than 70 countries. The collaboration aimed to enhance the competitiveness of the business and ensure a stable supply to meet the approximately four percent annual growth in global demand.
• In August 2024, Evonik officially completed the capacity expansion of its DL-methionine production facilities on Jurong Island, Singapore. By implementing advanced process intensification measures, the company increased the site's annual output by 40,000 metric tons, raising the total capacity to 340,000 metric tons. This project, which also integrated a green hydrogen supply from a partner to lower emissions, reinforced the facility's position as the largest of its kind in the company's global network. The expansion was designed to meet rising global demand for animal protein while significantly reducing the product carbon footprint by approximately six percent.
• In January 2024, Adisseo announced the commencement of construction for a new powder methionine plant in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China. The company committed an investment of RMB 4.9 billion ($681.2 million) for this strategic facility, which was designed to possess an annual production capacity of 150,000 metric tons. Situated within a petrochemical park to utilize strong supply chain synergies, the plant was scheduled to begin operations in 2027. The project aimed to optimize capital and operating costs while consolidating the sustainable development of the integrated upstream and downstream value chain in the global methionine market.

Key Market Players

• Evonik Industries AG
• Bluestar Group
• Novus International, Inc.
• Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
• CJ CheilJedang Corp.
• Chongqing Unisplendour Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Sichuan Hebang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
• Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
• Kemin Industries, Inc.
• Prinova Group LLC

By Type	By Raw Material	By Application	By Region
DL-Methionine Methionine Hydroxy Analogue (Mha) and L-Methionine	Plant Based and Animal Based	Animal Feed Food & Dietary Supplements and Pharmaceuticals	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Methionine Market, By Type:

• DL-Methionine
• Methionine Hydroxy Analogue (Mha) and L-Methionine

• Methionine Market, By Raw Material:

• Plant Based and Animal Based

• Methionine Market, By Application:

• Animal Feed
• Food & Dietary Supplements
• and Pharmaceuticals

• Methionine 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