01 Alternative Proteins Are Reducing Dependence on Fishmeal The aquafeed market trends show that pressure on marine-based feed ingredients is shifting formulations toward plant proteins, insect meal, algae, and microbial proteins. This transition is reducing reliance on fishmeal while supporting more diversified feed inputs for farmed species. The outcome is a broader ingredient base and greater flexibility in aquafeed formulation.
02 Species-Specific Formulations Are Increasing Feed Precision The aquafeed market trends show that differences in nutritional requirements are shifting feed development toward formulations tailored to species, life stages, and farming conditions. This transition allows producers to adjust protein, lipid, amino acid, and micronutrient levels according to the needs of shrimp, salmon, tilapia, and other cultured species. The outcome is more precise nutrition and improved feed utilization across aquaculture operations.
01 Expansion of Aquaculture Production and Feed Conversion Efficiency Drive Market Aquaculture production is creating sustained demand for commercial feed as farmed aquatic animals become a larger source of global food supply. FAO’s SOFIA 2026 reports that aquaculture produced 103 million tonnes of aquatic animals in 2024, surpassing 100 million tonnes for the first time and accounting for 53% of total aquatic animal production. This expanding production base supports recurring feed procurement across fish and shrimp farms and encourages suppliers to increase aquafeed production capacity.Feed conversion efficiency is becoming more important as producers seek higher output from each unit of feed and better control of production costs. FAO highlights continued improvements in feed conversion and feed management, with precision nutrition increasingly focused on factors such as species, age, genotype, environment, and immune status. Commercial shrimp and fish farms therefore have greater demand for nutritionally optimized formulations, supporting development and supply of higher-performance aquafeed products.
01 Dependence on Marine-Based Ingredients and Feed Quality Variability Restrain Aquafeed Market Expansion Dependence on marine-based ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil exposes aquafeed manufacturers to fluctuations in raw material availability, catch levels, and input prices. Supply uncertainty can increase formulation costs and make consistent procurement more difficult, limiting manufacturers' ability to maintain stable pricing and expand production.Feed quality variability in nutrient composition, ingredient quality, and pellet performance can affect fish and shrimp growth, feed conversion, and overall farm productivity. Inconsistent feed performance can reduce farmer confidence in newer or alternative formulations, slowing supplier switching and limiting adoption of higher-value aquafeed products.
01 Functional Additives and Disease-Management Solutions Create New Market Opportunities Aquafeed manufacturers, biotechnology companies, and feed-additive suppliers can develop probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and immune-support supplements for farmed fish and shrimp. Companies such as DSM-Firmenich and Novus International can expand aquaculture nutrition portfolios through specialized additives, premium feed formulations, and technical services, creating additional revenue while supporting aquafeed market growth.Biotechnology firms, feed-additive manufacturers, and aquaculture health companies can develop functional additives that support disease management and fish health. Companies such as Biomin and Phibro can generate revenue through specialized feed additives, farm-level nutrition programs, and technical support services, creating new commercial opportunities while supporting aquafeed market growth.
01 Aquaculture Disease Outbreaks and Inadequate On-Farm Feed Management Hinder Aquafeed Market Growth Aquaculture disease outbreaks can reduce stocking levels, feeding activity, and production cycles, weakening demand for commercial aquafeed. FAO estimated in 2025 that aquatic animal diseases impose an economic cost of more than USD 6 billion annually, highlighting their impact on aquaculture operations and feed demand.Inadequate on-farm feed management can increase feed wastage, reduce nutrient utilization, and weaken farmers’ returns from commercial diets. FAO identifies poor feeding practices, limited monitoring, and inadequate feed handling as continuing constraints in aquaculture, reducing the effective use and repeat demand for formulated feeds.
May 2026 BioMar expanded its aquafeed portfolio by launching new high-performance feeds formulated with alternative proteins and functional ingredients to improve fish health, growth, and sustainability in aquaculture.
March 2026 Skretting introduced an advanced aquafeed range incorporating novel raw materials and precision nutrition technologies to enhance feed efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of fish farming.
October 2025 Cargill expanded its Aqua Nutrition portfolio with new functional aquafeeds designed to improve disease resistance, feed conversion efficiency, and productivity for shrimp and fish farming.
June 2025 ADM launched new aquaculture feed solutions containing optimized nutritional formulations to support sustainable fish production and improve growth performance across multiple species.