Starter Feed Market Size and Outlook 2030

Report Description

Forecast Period	2026-2030
Market Size (2024)	USD 31.60 Billion
CAGR (2025-2030)	4.68%
Fastest Growing Segment	Non-Medicated
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2030)	USD 41.58 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Starter Feed Market, valued at USD 31.60 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 4.68% to reach USD 41.58 Billion by 2030. Starter feed is a specialized animal nutritional product designed for young livestock, such as poultry chicks, piglets, and calves, during their critical early growth stages to ensure optimal development and reduce mortality by providing essential nutrients. The global starter feed market is primarily driven by the escalating worldwide demand for animal protein, including meat, dairy, and eggs, alongside a heightened focus on enhancing feed efficiency and overall animal performance. Further impetus stems from continuous advancements in animal nutrition science and precision feeding technologies. According to the International Feed Industry Federation, in 2023, global compound feed production exceeded an estimated 1.2 billion tonnes, underscoring the substantial scale of the broader animal nutrition industry supporting this segment.

However, the market faces a significant challenge from the inherent volatility in raw material prices, particularly for key ingredients like grains and protein meals. These fluctuations directly impact production costs for feed manufacturers, potentially affecting product affordability and market stability.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing global animal protein demand serves as a primary driver for the starter feed market. As the world population expands and economic prosperity rises in various regions, the consumption of meat, dairy, and eggs continues to escalate. This trend necessitates greater efficiency and output from commercial livestock operations, driving the need for optimized rearing practices from the initial stages of animal life. Starter feeds are crucial in supporting the rapid and healthy development of young animals, thereby enabling them to achieve market weight or reproductive maturity more quickly. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO, in November 2024, their 'Food Outlook' report forecasted global meat production to reach 373 million tonnes in 2024, reflecting a 1.4 percent increase from 2023, underscoring the continuous expansion of the animal protein sector. This growth mandates reliable early nutrition to maximize the viability and productivity of each animal.

Complementing the rising protein demand, a significant focus on enhanced livestock productivity and feed efficiency directly influences the starter feed market. Producers are consistently seeking methods to optimize resource utilization and improve economic returns, a goal in which efficient feed conversion plays a critical role. High quality starter feeds are instrumental in achieving this objective, fostering robust health and growth in young animals, which subsequently reduces the amount of feed required per unit of output over their entire lifespan. According to a June 2024 article from Folio3, 'How to Improve Your Feed Conversion Ratio Through Feed Management Strategies', a mere 0.1 improvement in Feed Conversion Ratio FCR can lead to a substantial 5-8% increase in producer profit, illustrating the direct financial incentive for utilizing effective starter nutrition. This strategic approach to early feeding contributes to the broader animal nutrition industry, where according to Alltech's 2025 Agri-Food Outlook, in 2024, global feed production increased to 1.396 billion metric tons.

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Key Market Challenges

The challenging factor impacting the global starter feed market is the inherent volatility in raw material prices. These fluctuations, particularly for critical ingredients such as grains and protein meals, directly increase production costs for feed manufacturers. Such unpredictability makes strategic planning and budgeting difficult, often forcing manufacturers to absorb higher costs or pass them on to end-users.

This direct impact on production costs significantly hampers the growth of the Global Starter Feed Market by eroding product affordability. When the cost of feed ingredients rises sharply, manufacturers are compelled to increase starter feed prices. For instance, according to the European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC), in 2023, animal feed accounted for up to 50% of the farm gate value of poultry and 55% for pigs. This substantial cost component means that higher starter feed prices directly reduce profitability for livestock producers, potentially leading them to scale back operations or seek cheaper, less effective alternatives, thereby diminishing overall market demand and slowing expansion.

Key Market Trends

The shift toward the increased incorporation of probiotics, prebiotics, and essential amino acids represents a significant trend in the Global Starter Feed Market, driven by the industry's focus on enhancing animal health and performance through nutritional strategies. This approach aims to fortify young animals' immune systems, optimize gut microbiota balance, and improve overall nutrient utilization, thereby reducing the incidence of disease and lessening the need for therapeutic antibiotics. According to the European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC), in 2023, the EU-27 compound feed production included 4.8 million tons of minerals, additives, and vitamins, demonstrating the substantial scale of specialized additive integration within the regional feed sector. Companies like dsm-firmenich further underscore this trend, as their February 2025 Integrated Annual Report highlighted their role as a leading provider of advanced feed additives and premixes designed to enhance livestock health and performance while actively working to reduce antibiotic use. These developments contribute to the production of healthier animals and more sustainable food systems.

The exploration of alternative protein sources is another pivotal trend shaping the Global Starter Feed Market, motivated by increasing pressure to find sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible ingredient options. As concerns grow regarding the environmental footprint and price volatility of traditional protein sources such as soybean meal and fishmeal, the industry is accelerating its research and adoption of novel alternatives. The European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC) noted in its 2024 Feed and Food Report a decreasing trend in the consumption of oilseed meals in EU feed, reflecting a broader industry effort to optimize crude protein levels in farmed animal diets. This strategic pivot is further exemplified by Nutreco's RoadMap 2025, which sets a target for 5-10% of ingredients in its complete feed to originate from alternative novel sources by 2025, supported by an annual innovation investment of at least €30 million. This diversification into ingredients like insect protein, algae, and single-cell proteins builds a more resilient and sustainable supply chain for starter feeds.

Segmental Insights

The Non-Medicated segment is the fastest-growing category in the Global Starter Feed Market, primarily due to the increasing worldwide demand for antibiotic-free and organic livestock products. This growth reflects a significant industry shift towards sustainable animal farming practices and heightened consumer awareness regarding animal welfare and food safety. Producers are increasingly adopting non-medicated solutions, incorporating beneficial additives like probiotics and prebiotics to enhance young animal gut health and immunity naturally. Additionally, regulatory initiatives, such as the proposed Innovative FEED Act in the United States, are fostering innovation by clarifying pathways for novel, non-nutritive feed ingredients, further accelerating the expansion of this segment.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific leads the Global Starter Feed Market due to several interconnected factors. The region experiences a significant and sustained increase in livestock production, particularly poultry, swine, and aquaculture, driven by a growing population, rising disposable incomes, and evolving dietary preferences toward protein-rich foods. Countries like China and India have massive livestock sectors and are transitioning towards more intensive farming systems, which necessitates specialized starter feeds for optimal animal growth and health. Furthermore, supportive government policies and initiatives promoting dairy and poultry development, alongside advancements in feed technology and a focus on improving feed efficiency, contribute to the region's dominance. Regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in China and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in India play a role in promoting feed quality and supporting the livestock sector.

Recent Developments

In July 2025, Perstorp Animal Nutrition highlighted breakthrough research concerning the synergistic application of butyric and valeric acid esters in animal feed, specifically for poultry. This work culminated in their product, Gastrivix™ Avi, designed to support intestinal morphology, barrier function, and microbial balance. After five years of dedicated research, trials suggested optimal inclusion levels for starter and early grower phases at 500 g/t. This scientific advancement offers a targeted nutritional strategy to enhance young animal performance and gut integrity, optimizing dietary nutrient utilization.

In June 2025, Aquanzo, supported by the UK Agri-Tech Centre, reported successful trials of "artemeal," a farmed marine protein, in broiler starter diets. This research indicated that chicks fed artemeal performed better than those on traditional fishmeal-based diets in terms of early growth and harvest weight. This innovation represents a significant step towards developing sustainable protein alternatives, reducing the environmental impact associated with conventional fishmeal production. The introduction of artemeal aims to provide a consistent and customizable protein source, improving the health and resilience of poultry flocks.

In May 2024, Cargill UK introduced its Neopigg Shield range of piglet starter feeds, a significant new product launch in animal nutrition. These diets were specifically formulated to support gut health and immunity in piglets, aligning with the industry's evolving demands for zinc-free feeding. Extensive farm trials, including evaluations on 10 commercial units with 25,000 piglets in the UK, demonstrated notable improvements. Piglets fed Neopigg Shield diets achieved up to an 8% increase in live weight by the ninth week post-weaning compared to those on zinc oxide diets, while also exhibiting comparable or firmer faeces, indicating enhanced digestive health.

In 2024, Bestran, a Spain-based startup, advanced breakthrough research by developing a sustainable, high-performance starter feed for juvenile shrimp. This innovation utilizes a proprietary fungal strain, rich in beta-carotene and cultivated using agricultural by-products, to reduce juvenile shrimp mortality and decrease dependence on unsustainable fishmeal. The aerobic fermentation process creates a highly digestible biomass that boosts shrimp survival, growth, and natural coloration by converting beta-carotene into astaxanthin. This development offers an environmentally friendly alternative, enhancing aquaculture sustainability and shrimp quality while valorizing agricultural waste.

Key Market Players

ACI Limited
ADM Co.
Alltech Inc.
Associate British Foods plc.
BASF SE
Godrej Agrovet Limited
Janaki Group of Companies
Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Tyson Foods Inc.
Purina Animal Nutrition LLC

By Type	By Ingredient	By Form	By Livestock	By Region
Medicated Non-Medicated	Wheat Corn Soyabean Oats Barley	Pellets Crumbles Others	Ruminants Swine Poultry Aquatic Equine Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

Starter Feed Market, By Type:

o Medicated

o Non-Medicated

Starter Feed Market, By Ingredient:

o Wheat

o Corn

o Soyabean

o Oats

o Barley

Starter Feed Market, By Form:

o Pellets

o Crumbles

o Others

Starter Feed Market, By Livestock:

o Ruminants

o Swine

o Poultry

o Aquatic

o Equine

o Others

Starter Feed Market, By Region:

o North America

§ United States

§ Canada

§ Mexico

o Europe

§ France

§ United Kingdom

§ Italy

§ Germany

§ Spain

o Asia Pacific

§ China

§ India

§ Japan

§ Australia

§ South Korea

o South America

§ Brazil

§ Argentina

§ Colombia

o Middle East & Africa

§ South Africa

§ Saudi Arabia

§ UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Starter Feed Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Starter Feed Market report 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).

Global Starter Feed Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]

Table of content

1. Product Overview

1.1. Market Definition

1.2. Scope of the Market

1.2.1. Markets Covered

1.2.2. Years Considered for Study

1.2.3. Key Market Segmentations

2. Research Methodology

2.1. Objective of the Study

2.2. Baseline Methodology

2.3. Key Industry Partners

2.4. Major Association and Secondary Sources

2.5. Forecasting Methodology

2.6. Data Triangulation & Validation

2.7. Assumptions and Limitations

3. Executive Summary

3.1. Overview of the Market

3.2. Overview of Key Market Segmentations

3.3. Overview of Key Market Players

3.4. Overview of Key Regions/Countries

3.5. Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, Trends

4. Voice of Customer

5. Global Starter Feed Market Outlook

5.1. Market Size & Forecast

5.1.1. By Value

5.2. Market Share & Forecast

5.2.1. By Type (Medicated, Non-Medicated)

5.2.2. By Ingredient (Wheat, Corn, Soyabean, Oats, Barley)

5.2.3. By Form (Pellets, Crumbles, Others)

5.2.4. By Livestock (Ruminants, Swine, Poultry, Aquatic, Equine, Others)

5.2.5. By Region

5.2.6. By Company (2024)

5.3. Market Map

6. North America Starter Feed Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.1.1. By Value

6.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.2.1. By Type

6.2.2. By Ingredient

6.2.3. By Form

6.2.4. By Livestock

6.2.5. By Country

6.3. North America: Country Analysis

6.3.1. United States Starter Feed Market Outlook

6.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.1.1.1. By Value

6.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.1.2.1. By Type

6.3.1.2.2. By Ingredient

6.3.1.2.3. By Form

6.3.1.2.4. By Livestock

6.3.2. Canada Starter Feed Market Outlook

6.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.2.1.1. By Value

6.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.2.2.1. By Type

6.3.2.2.2. By Ingredient

6.3.2.2.3. By Form

6.3.2.2.4. By Livestock

6.3.3. Mexico Starter Feed Market Outlook

6.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.3.1.1. By Value

6.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.3.2.1. By Type

6.3.3.2.2. By Ingredient

6.3.3.2.3. By Form

6.3.3.2.4. By Livestock

7. Europe Starter Feed Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.1.1. By Value

7.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.2.1. By Type

7.2.2. By Ingredient

7.2.3. By Form

7.2.4. By Livestock

7.2.5. By Country

7.3. Europe: Country Analysis

7.3.1. Germany Starter Feed Market Outlook

7.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.1.1.1. By Value

7.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.1.2.1. By Type

7.3.1.2.2. By Ingredient

7.3.1.2.3. By Form

7.3.1.2.4. By Livestock

7.3.2. France Starter Feed Market Outlook

7.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.2.1.1. By Value

7.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.2.2.1. By Type

7.3.2.2.2. By Ingredient

7.3.2.2.3. By Form

7.3.2.2.4. By Livestock

7.3.3. United Kingdom Starter Feed Market Outlook

7.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.3.1.1. By Value

7.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.3.2.1. By Type

7.3.3.2.2. By Ingredient

7.3.3.2.3. By Form

7.3.3.2.4. By Livestock

7.3.4. Italy Starter Feed Market Outlook

7.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.4.1.1. By Value

7.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.4.2.1. By Type

7.3.4.2.2. By Ingredient

7.3.4.2.3. By Form

7.3.4.2.4. By Livestock

7.3.5. Spain Starter Feed Market Outlook

7.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.5.1.1. By Value

7.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.5.2.1. By Type

7.3.5.2.2. By Ingredient

7.3.5.2.3. By Form

7.3.5.2.4. By Livestock

8. Asia Pacific Starter Feed Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.1.1. By Value

8.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.2.1. By Type

8.2.2. By Ingredient

8.2.3. By Form

8.2.4. By Livestock

8.2.5. By Country

8.3. Asia Pacific: Country Analysis

8.3.1. China Starter Feed Market Outlook

8.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.1.1.1. By Value

8.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.1.2.1. By Type

8.3.1.2.2. By Ingredient

8.3.1.2.3. By Form

8.3.1.2.4. By Livestock

8.3.2. India Starter Feed Market Outlook

8.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.2.1.1. By Value

8.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.2.2.1. By Type

8.3.2.2.2. By Ingredient

8.3.2.2.3. By Form

8.3.2.2.4. By Livestock

8.3.3. Japan Starter Feed Market Outlook

8.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.3.1.1. By Value

8.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.3.2.1. By Type

8.3.3.2.2. By Ingredient

8.3.3.2.3. By Form

8.3.3.2.4. By Livestock

8.3.4. South Korea Starter Feed Market Outlook

8.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.4.1.1. By Value

8.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.4.2.1. By Type

8.3.4.2.2. By Ingredient

8.3.4.2.3. By Form

8.3.4.2.4. By Livestock

8.3.5. Australia Starter Feed Market Outlook

8.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.5.1.1. By Value

8.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.5.2.1. By Type

8.3.5.2.2. By Ingredient

8.3.5.2.3. By Form

8.3.5.2.4. By Livestock

9. Middle East & Africa Starter Feed Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.1.1. By Value

9.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.2.1. By Type

9.2.2. By Ingredient

9.2.3. By Form

9.2.4. By Livestock

9.2.5. By Country

9.3. Middle East & Africa: Country Analysis

9.3.1. Saudi Arabia Starter Feed Market Outlook

9.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.1.1.1. By Value

9.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.1.2.1. By Type

9.3.1.2.2. By Ingredient

9.3.1.2.3. By Form

9.3.1.2.4. By Livestock

9.3.2. UAE Starter Feed Market Outlook

9.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.2.1.1. By Value

9.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.2.2.1. By Type

9.3.2.2.2. By Ingredient

9.3.2.2.3. By Form

9.3.2.2.4. By Livestock

9.3.3. South Africa Starter Feed Market Outlook

9.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.3.1.1. By Value

9.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.3.2.1. By Type

9.3.3.2.2. By Ingredient

9.3.3.2.3. By Form

9.3.3.2.4. By Livestock

10. South America Starter Feed Market Outlook

10.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.1.1. By Value

10.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.2.1. By Type

10.2.2. By Ingredient

10.2.3. By Form

10.2.4. By Livestock

10.2.5. By Country

10.3. South America: Country Analysis

10.3.1. Brazil Starter Feed Market Outlook

10.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.1.1.1. By Value

10.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.1.2.1. By Type

10.3.1.2.2. By Ingredient

10.3.1.2.3. By Form

10.3.1.2.4. By Livestock

10.3.2. Colombia Starter Feed Market Outlook

10.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.2.1.1. By Value

10.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.2.2.1. By Type

10.3.2.2.2. By Ingredient

10.3.2.2.3. By Form

10.3.2.2.4. By Livestock

10.3.3. Argentina Starter Feed Market Outlook

10.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.3.1.1. By Value

10.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.3.2.1. By Type

10.3.3.2.2. By Ingredient

10.3.3.2.3. By Form

10.3.3.2.4. By Livestock

11. Market Dynamics

11.1. Drivers

11.2. Challenges

12. Market Trends & Developments

12.1. Merger & Acquisition (If Any)

12.2. Product Launches (If Any)

12.3. Recent Developments

13. Global Starter Feed Market: SWOT Analysis

14. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

14.1. Competition in the Industry

14.2. Potential of New Entrants

14.3. Power of Suppliers

14.4. Power of Customers

14.5. Threat of Substitute Products

15. Competitive Landscape

15.1. ACI Limited

15.1.1. Business Overview

15.1.2. Products & Services

15.1.3. Recent Developments

15.1.4. Key Personnel

15.1.5. SWOT Analysis

15.2. ADM Co.

15.3. Alltech Inc.

15.4. Associate British Foods plc.

15.5. BASF SE

15.6. Godrej Agrovet Limited

15.7. Janaki Group of Companies

15.8. Land O’Lakes, Inc.

15.9. Tyson Foods Inc.

15.10. Purina Animal Nutrition LLC

16. Strategic Recommendations

17. About Us & Disclaimer

Report Description

Table of content

Figures and Tables

Frequently asked questions

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