The global aquafeed market size was valued at USD 72.03 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 76.86 billion in 2026 to USD 129.23 billion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 6.71% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2034. Asia Pacific dominated the aquafeed market with a market share of 45.8% in 2025.
Aquafeed refers to formulated feed designed for farmed aquatic animals such as fish, shrimp, and other species. It provides essential nutrients, including proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, to support growth, health, and feed efficiency. Aquafeed is widely used in commercial aquaculture to improve production performance and maintain healthy aquatic livestock.
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Growing Shift Toward Alternative and Sustainable Feed Ingredients
Aquafeed manufacturers are increasingly reducing dependence on conventional marine ingredients by incorporating plant-based proteins, microbial ingredients, insect meal, algae, and other alternative sources. This shift is being driven by pressure to improve resource efficiency, strengthen supply security, and reduce the environmental footprint of intensive aquaculture production.
Increasing Demand for Species-Specific and Nutritionally Optimized Aquafeeds
The expansion and intensification of aquaculture is increasing demand for feeds formulated around the nutritional requirements of specific farmed species and production stages. Feed manufacturers are increasingly focusing on digestibility, feed conversion, growth performance, and fish health to improve productivity while controlling feed-related costs.
Expansion of Global Aquaculture Production Supports Aquafeed Demand
The continued growth of farmed aquatic animal production is directly increasing demand for commercial feeds used to support growth, health, and efficient biomass production. As aquaculture becomes increasingly important for meeting global seafood requirements, recurring feed consumption is creating a sustained demand base for aquafeed manufacturers.
Volatility in Fishmeal and Fish Oil Supply Increases Feed Costs
Fishmeal and fish oil remain valuable aquafeed ingredients because of their nutritional quality, but their availability is constrained by limited marine-resource supply and competition from other uses. Price fluctuations in these ingredients can therefore increase formulation costs and encourage manufacturers to adjust feed compositions.
Development of Alternative Protein Ingredients Creates New Formulation Opportunities
The need to reduce reliance on fishmeal and fish oil is creating opportunities for suppliers of insect meal, microbial proteins, algae-based ingredients, oilseed meals, and other alternative inputs. Successful ingredients that provide consistent nutritional performance, digestibility, and reliable supply can gain greater adoption in commercial aquafeed formulations.
Sustainability and Environmental Performance Requirements Increase Industry Pressure
Aquafeed manufacturers face increasing pressure to demonstrate the environmental performance of feed formulations while maintaining fish health and production efficiency. The sourcing of ingredients, feed conversion performance, emissions, resource use, and nutrient losses can all influence the overall sustainability of aquaculture systems.
Pellet Feed Segment Dominated the Market with 38.6% Share in 2025
The pellet feed segment dominated the aquafeed market with a 38.6% share in 2025, reaching USD 27.80 billion, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.43% during 2026–2034. Extruded feed accounted for 34.2%, reaching USD 24.63 billion, and is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.32%. Powder feed represented 18.7%, reaching USD 13.47 billion, while liquid feed held an 8.5% share, reaching USD 6.12 billion, with a CAGR of 6.76%.
Pellet feed remains widely used because of its ease of handling, storage, and suitability for different aquaculture species. Extruded feed is gaining momentum due to its improved digestibility, water stability, and ability to support efficient nutrient delivery.
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Crustaceans Segment is Projected to Grow at the Fastest CAGR of 7.36%
The crustaceans segment accounted for a 28.1% share of the aquafeed market in 2025, reaching USD 20.24 billion, and is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.36% during 2026–2034. Fish dominated the species segment with a 58.4% share, reaching USD 42.07 billion, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.74%. Mollusks accounted for 8.2%, reaching USD 5.91 billion, while others represented 5.3%, reaching USD 3.82 billion.
Crustacean aquaculture is expanding across major shrimp-producing markets, increasing demand for specialized feeds that support growth, immunity, digestibility, and feed efficiency. Fish remain the dominant species category because of their large-scale commercial production across salmon, tilapia, carp, catfish, and other species.
Amino Acids Segment Dominated the Market with 22.8% Share in 2025
The amino acids segment dominated the aquafeed additives market with a 22.8% share in 2025, reaching USD 16.42 billion, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.88% during 2026–2034. Vitamins and minerals accounted for 20.6%, reaching USD 14.84 billion, while probiotics and prebiotics represented 17.9%, reaching USD 12.89 billion, and are projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.81%. Enzymes accounted for 12.4%, antioxidants 9.8%, antibiotics 7.1%, and other additives 9.4%.
The increasing use of functional additives is driven by demand for improved nutrient utilization, immunity, gut health, and growth performance. Probiotics and prebiotics are gaining particular attention as aquaculture producers seek alternatives that support animal health and reduce reliance on conventional inputs.
Dry Feed Segment Dominated the Market with 72.6% Share in 2025
The dry feed segment dominated the aquafeed market with a 72.6% share in 2025, reaching USD 52.29 billion, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.91% during 2026–2034. Wet feed accounted for a 16.8% share, reaching USD 12.10 billion, while moist feed represented 10.6%, reaching USD 7.64 billion, with a CAGR of 6.58%.
Dry feed remains the preferred format because of its longer shelf life, convenient storage, transportation advantages, and compatibility with automated feeding systems. Wet and moist feeds continue to serve specific species and farming conditions where higher moisture content and particular feeding characteristics are required.
Health Maintenance Segment Dominated the Market with 41.3% Share in 2025
The health maintenance segment dominated the aquafeed market with a 41.3% share in 2025, reaching USD 29.75 billion, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.96% during 2026–2034. Digestibility enhancement accounted for 27.4%, reaching USD 19.74 billion, and is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.42%. Palatability enhancement represented 19.6%, reaching USD 14.12 billion, while other functions accounted for 11.7%, reaching USD 8.43 billion.
The growing focus on aquatic animal health is increasing demand for feeds that support immunity, growth, and overall condition. Digestibility-enhancing formulations are gaining importance because improved nutrient utilization can support better feed conversion, reduce waste, and improve production efficiency.
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North America accounted for an 18.4% share of the aquafeed market in 2025, reaching USD 13.25 billion, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.64% during 2026–2034. The region's growth is supported by expanding aquaculture production, rising demand for farmed seafood, increasing adoption of formulated feed, and growing focus on feed efficiency and aquatic animal health.
The US market is supported by expanding aquaculture activities, increasing demand for farmed seafood, and growing adoption of specialized and nutritionally balanced feed. Advancements in aquaculture systems and greater emphasis on feed efficiency and sustainable production are also supporting market development.
Canada's market is supported by established aquaculture activities, particularly in salmon and other farmed seafood, along with increasing demand for sustainable aquaculture production. Growing adoption of high-quality feed formulations and greater focus on aquatic animal health are creating opportunities for aquafeed suppliers.
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Europe accounted for a 20.6% share of the aquafeed market in 2025, reaching USD 14.84 billion, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.41% during 2026–2034. Growth is supported by established aquaculture industries, increasing seafood consumption, growing demand for sustainable feed ingredients, and increasing adoption of nutritionally optimized aquafeed formulations.
Germany's market is supported by freshwater aquaculture, growing adoption of commercial feed, and increasing demand for sustainable and nutritionally balanced aquafeed. The modernization of aquaculture operations and greater focus on feed efficiency are also supporting market growth.
The UK market is supported by aquaculture development, rising demand for farmed seafood, and increasing emphasis on sustainable feed solutions. Growing adoption of specialized formulations designed to improve fish growth, health, and feed efficiency is also contributing to market development.
Asia Pacific dominated the aquafeed market with a 45.8% share in 2025, reaching USD 32.99 billion, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.92% during 2026–2034. The region's leading position is supported by large-scale aquaculture production, rising seafood consumption, expanding fish and shrimp farming, and increasing adoption of formulated aquafeed. Growing investment in aquaculture infrastructure and feed technology is also supporting regional expansion.
Japan's market is supported by established aquaculture activities, high seafood consumption, and demand for nutritionally optimized feed. Increasing focus on aquaculture productivity, aquatic animal health, and feed efficiency is supporting the adoption of advanced aquafeed formulations.
China's market is supported by its large-scale aquaculture industry, extensive fish and shrimp production, and increasing use of formulated feed. Continued modernization of aquaculture operations and growing demand for efficient and nutritionally balanced feed are supporting market development.
Middle East & Africa accounted for a 5.9% share of the aquafeed market in 2025, reaching USD 4.25 billion, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.96% during 2026–2034. Growth is supported by expanding aquaculture production, rising seafood demand, food-security initiatives, and increasing investment in commercial aquaculture infrastructure.
The UAE market is supported by growing investment in aquaculture, increasing focus on domestic seafood production, and efforts to strengthen food security. Rising adoption of commercial aquaculture practices and demand for nutritionally balanced feed are creating opportunities for aquafeed market growth.
Africa's market is supported by expanding fish farming, increasing aquaculture commercialization, and rising demand for affordable and nutritious seafood. Growing adoption of formulated feed and investments in aquaculture infrastructure are further supporting market development.
The aquafeed market is competitive, with leading companies focusing on species-specific nutrition, feed efficiency, functional ingredients, sustainable raw materials, product development, and expansion across major aquaculture markets. The industry is increasingly emphasizing alternative feed ingredients, improved nutrient utilization, traceability, and environmental performance as aquaculture production expands. Recent research also highlights the shift toward alternative ingredients to reduce dependence on conventional marine resources.
Cargill
Cargill competes in the aquafeed market through nutrition solutions designed for different farmed aquatic species. Its positioning is supported by its focus on feed performance, nutritional efficiency, aquatic animal health, and sustainable aquaculture practices. The broader market is increasingly moving toward feed formulations that balance growth performance, feed conversion, environmental impact, and economic viability.
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Author's Details
Research Analyst
Devyani Desale is an F&B research professional with 2+ years of experience in market intelligence, specializing in market analysis, secondary research, market estimation, and forecasting across the food and beverage sector. She provides actionable insights into market dynamics, industry trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging growth opportunities to support strategic business decision-making.
Her expertise includes assessing market size, growth potential, competitive scenarios, consumer trends, and industry developments through structured research and analytical methodologies. She focuses on translating market data into clear, relevant insights that support business strategy and informed decision-making.
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