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.
Download a Free Sample To learn more about this report,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The pellet feed segment accounted for a share of 38.6% in 2025, supported by its established use in aquaculture operations and suitability for consistent feeding across different farmed species. The extruded feed segment offers controlled nutrient delivery, while powder feed and liquid feed serve specialized feeding and formulation requirements.
The extruded feed segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.32% during the forecast period 2026-2034, driven by improved digestibility, nutrient stability, and suitability for intensive aquaculture production.
Request Customizationto receive a tailored report.
The fish segment accounted for a share of 58.4% in 2025, supported by the large-scale farming of salmon, tilapia, carp, catfish, and other commercially important species. The crustaceans segment serves shrimp and crab farming, while the mollusks segment supports oyster and mussel cultivation. The others segment covers additional farmed aquatic species.
The crustaceans segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.36% during the forecast period 2026-2034, fueled by expanding aquaculture production and increasing demand for nutritionally balanced feed for shrimp and other farmed crustaceans.
The amino acids segment accounted for a share of 22.8% in 2025, supported by their role in maintaining nutritional balance and supporting growth and development in farmed aquatic species. The vitamins and minerals segment provides essential micronutrients, while probiotics and prebiotics support digestive health. Enzymes aid nutrient utilization, antioxidants help maintain feed quality, antibiotics serve specific health-management applications, and the others segment covers additional feed additives.
The probiotics and prebiotics segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.81% during the forecast period 2026-2034, driven by increasing emphasis on digestive health, nutrient utilization, and functional feed solutions in aquaculture.
The dry feed segment accounted for a share of 72.6% in 2025, supported by its ease of storage, transportation, handling, and widespread suitability across commercial aquaculture operations. The wet feed segment provides higher-moisture feeding options, while the moist feed segment serves applications requiring intermediate moisture content.
The dry feed segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.91% during the forecast period 2026-2034, supported by continued adoption of convenient and stable feed formats across commercial aquaculture operations.
The health maintenance segment accounted for a share of 41.3% in 2025, supported by the need to maintain fish and aquatic animal health under intensive farming conditions. The digestibility enhancement segment focuses on improving nutrient utilization, while the palatability enhancement segment supports feed acceptance. The other segment covers additional functional applications.
The digestibility enhancement segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.42% during the forecast period 2026-2034, propelled by increasing emphasis on efficient nutrient utilization, feed performance, and aquaculture productivity.
Speak to an Analystto discuss market opportunities.
The Asia Pacific aquafeed market accounted for the largest regional share of 45.8% in 2025, supported by the region’s large aquaculture production base, rising seafood consumption, and continued expansion of commercial fish and shrimp farming, which is increasing demand for formulated aquafeed. The Japan aquafeed market is supported by Japan’s Fisheries Agency, which targets 240,000 tons of yellowtail, 110,000 tons of red seabream, and 30,000–40,000 tons of salmon and trout production by 2030, while the government aims to shift all aquaculture feed to formulated feed by 2050, creating long-term demand for aquafeed.
The China aquafeed market is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’ target to increase the utilization capacity of non-grain feed resources to more than 10 million tons by 2030, while promoting insect protein, algae protein, microbial protein, and other alternative feed ingredients, supporting future demand for more diversified and efficient aquafeed formulations.
The India aquafeed market is supported by the government’s target to raise fish production to more than 200 lakh tonnes by 2030, alongside continued expansion of aquaculture technologies and feed infrastructure, while ICAR-CIFRI’s 2026 sustainable-feed initiative has demonstrated 15–20% higher fish production and 20–30% lower feed costs, supporting future demand for cost-efficient aquafeed solutions.
Unlock Regional Insightsto access country-level data, & regional trends.
The North America aquafeed market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.64% during the forecast period 2026-2034, showcasing the fastest-growing regional market, supported by expanding sustainable aquaculture production, increasing adoption of formulated feeds, and growing investment in land-based and marine aquaculture systems across the region. The U.S. aquafeed market is supported by the federal Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Economic Development, which sets actions for the next five years to expand domestic aquaculture infrastructure, investment, and market opportunities, while the National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Research prioritizes development of new aquafeeds and feed-production methods, supporting future demand for advanced aquafeed formulations.
The Canada aquafeed market is supported by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which targets continued expansion and modernization of sustainable aquaculture through its 2026–27 departmental plan, including measures to improve aquaculture innovation and production, supporting long-term demand for formulated aquafeed as Canadian aquaculture capacity develops.
The Europe aquafeed market accounted for a 20.6% share in 2025 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.41% during the forecast period 2026-2034, supported by increasing adoption of sustainable aquaculture practices, growing demand for responsibly produced seafood, and continued development of efficient and environmentally sustainable aquafeed formulations across European countries. The U.S. aquafeed market is supported by the USDA’s $1.81 million 2026 Special Research Grants Program for Aquaculture Research, which funds projects to develop technologies that address constraints to U.S. aquaculture expansion, alongside NOAA’s ongoing Alternative Feeds Initiative focused on developing sustainable feed ingredients, supporting future demand for innovative aquafeed formulations.
The Germany aquafeed market is supported by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s 2030 scenarios, which identify potential to expand domestic cultivation of legumes and rapeseed to around 1.2 million hectares each, increasing the availability of alternative protein sources that can support more sustainable aquafeed formulations.
The aquafeed market competitive landscape is moderately consolidated, with competition comprising global animal nutrition companies, specialized aquafeed manufacturers, integrated aquaculture companies, and regional feed producers. Key players such as Cargill, BioMar Group, Skretting, Alltech, and Nutreco collectively are estimated to account for approximately 40–45% of the global aquafeed market share.
Established players compete primarily on feed quality, nutritional expertise, production scale, and technical services. Emerging and regional players in the aquafeed market ecosystem compete through species-specific formulations, functional feed solutions, sustainable ingredients, and customized farmer support.
Customize This Report to Match Your Strategic Objectives
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.
Asia Pacific Animal Feed Additives Market Size, 2034
United States Animal Feed Additives Market Size, 2034
North America Animal Feed Additives Market Size, 2034
Compound Feed Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis, Report, 2034
Animal Nutrition Market Size, Share, Growth, Forecast, 2034
Animal Feed Antioxidants Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis, 2034
We are featured on:
sales@straitsresearch.com