Hemoglobin Feed Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Source (Bovine, Swine, Poultry, Shark, Synthetic, Others), By Application (Industrial, Commercial), Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 237.46 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.54%
Fastest Growing Segment	Swine
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 309.95 Million

Market Overview

The Global Hemoglobin Feed Market will grow from USD 237.46 Million in 2025 to USD 309.95 Million by 2031 at a 4.54% CAGR. Hemoglobin feed is a high-value protein ingredient produced through the fractionation and spray-drying of red blood cells, primarily utilized in swine and aquaculture nutrition to supply highly digestible amino acids. The market is fundamentally driven by the global imperative to reduce antibiotic dependency in livestock production, as blood-derived proteins offer functional benefits that support gut health and immune system performance. Additionally, the increasing industrial emphasis on the circular economy and sustainable nutrient recovery from meat processing by-products further underpins the sector's long-term developmental trajectory.

However, the expansion of international trade flows faces significant hurdles arising from stringent sanitary regulations and variable import restrictions related to transboundary animal diseases, which frequently alter global supply chains. These regulatory complexities often force exporters to pivot toward alternative markets to maintain volume amidst fluctuating demand from traditional buyers. According to the North American Renderers Association, in 2024, Vietnam reached 272,223 metric tons of U.S. animal protein meal imports, marking an 80% increase from the previous year as trade routes adjusted to regional regulatory shifts.

Key Market Drivers

The Rapid Expansion of the Global Aquaculture Industry is a primary force propelling the hemoglobin feed market, as producers urgently seek sustainable alternatives to finite marine resources. With the stagnation of wild-caught fish meal supplies, the sector is increasingly relying on highly digestible blood-derived proteins to maintain nutritional density in feeds for carnivorous species like salmon and shrimp. The scale of this requirement is vast; according to Alltech, April 2025, in the '2025 Agri-Food Outlook', global aquaculture feed production reached 52.97 million metric tons in 2024, creating a massive addressable market for functional hemoglobin ingredients that support feed efficiency and animal health without depleting ocean stocks.

Simultaneously, the Increasing Utilization in Swine and Poultry Starter Diets acts as a robust driver, underpinned by the industry's need for high-performance proteins to support rapid growth and immunity. Hemoglobin feed is increasingly favored in starter formulations for its high digestibility, which is crucial for maximizing feed conversion rates in intensive rearing systems. This demand is directly correlated with the expansion of livestock volumes; according to the North American Renderers Association, July 2025, in the 'US Market Report', total U.S. broiler production was estimated to reach 46.9 billion pounds in 2024, representing a consistent upward trajectory that necessitates reliable high-protein inputs. The commercial viability of this supply chain is further evidenced by the financial performance of key industry processors; according to Darling Ingredients Inc., October 2025, in the 'Third Quarter 2025 Results', the company reported total net sales of $1.6 billion, illustrating the significant economic scale of the global ingredient and rendering market.

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Key Market Challenges

Stringent sanitary regulations and variable import restrictions related to transboundary animal diseases constitute a formidable barrier to the expansion of the Global Hemoglobin Feed Market. These regulatory frameworks, enforced to prevent the spread of pathogens such as African Swine Fever and Avian Influenza, create a highly volatile trading environment where market access can be abruptly revoked. Exporters face complex compliance requirements that differ significantly across jurisdictions, leading to supply chain disruptions and increased operational costs. When major importers impose sudden bans due to disease outbreaks in source countries, suppliers are immediately cut off from key revenue streams, forcing a rapid and often costly realignment of logistics to secure alternative buyers.

This regulatory instability hampers growth by injecting uncertainty into long-term planning and complicating market penetration strategies. The necessity to divert shipments from established, high-value markets to regions with more accessible entry requirements underscores the fragility of global trade routes. According to the North American Renderers Association, in 2024, Mexico imported 138,000 metric tons of U.S. animal protein meals, serving as a critical alternative outlet as exporters diversified destinations amidst regulatory tightening in other traditional regions. Such forced shifts in trade volume highlight the persistent difficulty in maintaining consistent global expansion when faced with unpredictable sanitary constraints.

Key Market Trends

The increasing inclusion of hemoglobin in premium and functional pet foods is reshaping the market, driven by the "humanization" of companion animals and the demand for high-digestibility protein sources. Manufacturers are actively reformulating diets to include blood-derived ingredients that offer specific health benefits, such as enhanced palatability and iron bioavailability, which are critical for specialized geriatric and recovery formulas. This shift toward high-value functional ingredients is supported by the sector's financial robustness; according to the American Pet Products Association, March 2025, in the '2025 State of the Industry Report', total U.S. pet industry expenditures reached $152 billion in 2024, underscoring the immense investment consumers are willing to make in advanced nutrition products.

The commercialization of enzymatically hydrolyzed hemoglobin products represents a major technological advancement, moving the industry beyond generic blood meal toward bioactive peptide solutions. These hydrolyzed ingredients are engineered to maximize nutrient absorption and improve feed efficiency in intensive aquaculture systems, addressing the physiological limitations of young animals that struggle to digest intact proteins. This focus on value-added performance is yielding tangible commercial results; according to BioMar Group, March 2025, in the '2024 Annual Report', the company sold 1.372 million metric tons of feed in 2024, explicitly attributing its record profitability to a strategic prioritization of advanced functional feed solutions over mere volume.

Segmental Insights

The Swine segment represents the fastest-growing category in the Global Hemoglobin Feed Market, primarily driven by the rising necessity for high-quality protein sources in piglet nutrition to ensure robust gut health. As the livestock industry increasingly phases out antibiotic growth promoters, hemoglobin-derived proteins are becoming essential for their superior digestibility and immunological benefits during the critical post-weaning period. Furthermore, the rapid rebuilding of swine herds following African Swine Fever outbreaks has intensified the demand for efficient, high-performance feed ingredients that optimize growth rates and reduce mortality in young livestock.

Regional Insights

North America leads the Global Hemoglobin Feed Market, driven by its mature livestock industry and high demand for protein-rich animal nutrition. The region benefits from the established presence of key manufacturers, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality feed ingredients. Advanced processing technologies facilitate the extensive adoption of hemoglobin powder in swine and poultry diets to optimize animal health. Furthermore, rigorous safety standards enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) bolster market confidence, establishing the region as a hub for premium feed solutions.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, a global leader in blood-derived protein ingredients published an update regarding the application of its spray-dried red cells in the aquaculture industry. The company highlighted that its hemoglobin-based product, AP 301, serves as a sustainable and high-performance protein source for modern aquafeeds, offering a proven alternative to traditional protein sources like fishmeal. This development emphasizes the growing role of functional blood proteins in meeting the nutritional demands of the aquaculture sector while addressing sustainability goals.
• In November 2024, the Veos Group, a prominent Belgian producer of animal protein solutions, acquired the activities of OvaInnovations, a United States-based manufacturer of inedible egg proteins. This strategic acquisition was designed to expand the company's production capabilities in the U.S. market and strengthen its global portfolio of functional proteins. The integration is expected to complement the company's existing "Actipro" brand, which includes hemoglobin and plasma powder, thereby enhancing its ability to deliver diverse high-quality protein solutions to the animal feed and pet food industries.
• In June 2024, APC, a major manufacturer of functional proteins, announced that it would present groundbreaking research findings at the Pig Research Summit. The company revealed that a new study demonstrated significant improvements in growth rate, nutrient utilization, and survival in nursery pigs when fed diets containing its spray-dried porcine plasma ingredients. These findings positioned the company's functional proteins as a valuable alternative to traditional pharmaceutical interventions, supporting healthier and more efficient growth in swine production.
• In January 2024, Ridley Corporation, a leading Australian animal nutrition provider, announced the acquisition of Oceania Meat Processors for approximately AUD 52.8 million. The acquired entity is a premium producer of mechanically deboned meat and other raw materials, which are supplied to the global pet food and animal feed industries. This collaboration allows the feed manufacturer to secure a consistent supply of high-quality animal by-products, including essential protein ingredients, thereby facilitating its growth in the ingredient recovery sector and enhancing its service to domestic and international customers.

Key Market Players

• APC, Inc.
• Darling Ingredients Inc.
• Saria Group
• The Boyer Valley Company
• Ridley Corporation Limited
• Kemin Industries, Inc.
• Nutraferma, Inc.
• Weishardt Group
• Aldex Chemical Company Limited
• Lican Food Corporation Ltd.

By Source	By Application	By Region
Bovine Swine Poultry Shark Synthetic Others	Industrial Commercial	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Hemoglobin Feed Market, By Source:

• Bovine
• Swine
• Poultry
• Shark
• Synthetic
• Others

• Hemoglobin Feed Market, By Application:

• Industrial
• Commercial

• Hemoglobin Feed 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