Sheridan, Wyo. – October 07, 2026 -- The global animal feed market will grow from $672.5 billion in 2026 to $826.1 billion by 2031, a 4.2% compound annual growth rate, according to a new study released by Wissen Research.
Livestock feed underpins a third of the world's food protein supply
Livestock supplies roughly 34% of global food protein, with nearly every unit of meat, milk, and eggs tracing back to a formulated feed ration. The shift from farm-mixed rations to commercially manufactured compound feed is accelerating across emerging Asian markets, pushing producers toward precision-formulated nutrition.
Feed manufacturers deploy NIR spectroscopy and automated dosing to cut nutrient losses
Producers are integrating near-infrared spectroscopy, automated batching systems, and digital feed-management platforms to improve feed conversion ratios. Alongside this, manufacturers are diversifying raw materials toward insect protein, algae, single-cell proteins, and fermentation-derived ingredients, particularly in aquafeed and premium nutrition segments, as enzymes, probiotics, and phytogenics gain traction amid tightening antibiotic-use restrictions.
Aquaculture demand drives species-specific feed formulation for shrimp, salmon, and tilapia
Rising seafood demand and strained wild fish stocks are pushing feed producers to tailor protein, amino acid, and mineral profiles by species and growth phase. Extruded and pelleted formats are gaining share for buoyancy control and water stability, while mycotoxin detoxifiers and probiotics are reducing disease-related losses in aquaculture operations.
Asia Pacific produced 533.1 million metric tons of feed in 2024, led by China's 315 million tonnes
Asia Pacific held the largest regional share in 2025 and remains the fastest-growing market, with regional feed production estimated at 533.1 million metric tons in 2024. Asia alone is projected to produce approximately 559.3 million tons of feed in 2025. In India, commercial feed already accounts for about 60% of the total animal feed market, with poultry representing 75-78% of commercial feed demand.
De Heus and ADM expand capacity with new mills in Vietnam and Brazil
In July 2026, Netherlands-based De Heus Animal Nutrition B.V. opened a 168,000-tonne-per-year marine and cold-water fish feed mill in Vietnam, targeting species including sea bass and barramundi for regional and export markets. In June 2026, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company opened a premix and feed additives facility in Apucarana, Brazil, with annual capacity of roughly 40,000 tons, incorporating automation and traceability technology for customized formulations in Brazil's animal nutrition sector.
Ingredient cost volatility and feed safety remain the sector's core risks
Fluctuations in corn, wheat, soybean meal, fishmeal, and oil prices, driven by weather, crop yields, geopolitical developments, and competing industrial demand, continue to squeeze manufacturer margins. Contamination risks from mycotoxins, chemical residues, and pathogens require robust testing and traceability systems, adding operational cost across the supply chain.
Global feed industry generates $400 billion in annual commercial turnover
The global commercial feed industry produces more than 1 billion tonnes annually, generating approximately $400 billion in commercial turnover. Global feed protein consumption is projected to rise 13.5% over the coming decade, according to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026-2035. Cereals held the largest ingredient share in 2025, while amino acids led additive demand across poultry, swine, and aquaculture diets.