Broiler Feed Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031)

Global Broiler Feed Market Trends and Insights

Rising Poultry Meat Consumption and Protein Affordability

Poultry meat is expanding its role in global diets, which directly supports demand for broiler feed. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization projected that poultry will account for 62% of additional global meat consumption through 2034, with much of that increase concentrated in developing regions. Poultry also remains one of the more affordable animal proteins, which helps sustain consumption when household food budgets come under pressure. Affordability matters for the broiler feed market because stable meat demand protects feed volumes, even when other proteins face a sharper substitution risk. MHP SE reported nine-month 2025 revenue of USD 2.64 billion, representing a 16% year-on-year increase. The growth was supported by strong poultry demand, stable market pricing, and the consolidation of Spanish poultry producer Grupo UVESA. This trend supports sustained demand for broiler feed, as growing poultry output and capacity expansion require consistent increases in commercial feed consumption.

Commercial Broiler Farming Expansion and Feed Outsourcing

The broiler feed market grows more steadily when poultry production shifts from backyard systems to commercial and contract-based farming. Larger broiler operations depend on standardized compound feed because growth targets, flock uniformity, and processor requirements leave little room for inconsistent farm mixing. Once growers move to integrated or contract models, they usually remain tied to formal feed supply because financing, veterinary support, and buyer agreements are tied to that system. ForFarmers N.V. formed ForFarmers Polska in 2026 by combining feed production with poultry farming and processing, demonstrating how feed is being drawn deeper into organized poultry chains. Koninklijke De Heus Voeders B.V. also widened its position in Asia in March 2026 through the acquisition of CJ Feed and Care, adding 17 feed mills and extending its reach in major poultry-producing markets. These developments support the view that the broiler feed market benefits most when poultry farming becomes larger, more formal, and more dependent on outsourced feed.

Higher Focus on Feed Conversion and Cost Efficiency

Feed efficiency remains one of the most important commercial drivers in the broiler feed market because feed still accounts for the largest share of production cost. Peer-reviewed research published in 2026 in the Frontiers Animals Science showed that feed accounted for 60-70% of total broiler production costs, indicating that even small changes in feed conversion can significantly affect farm profitability. This cost pressure keeps buyers focused on formulations that can convert nutrients into live weight with less waste and more consistency. Research published in Applied Sciences (MDPI) in 2026 also found that phytase, xylanase, amylase, and protease, when used at full matrix specifications, improved nutrient use and enabled lower-cost formulations in broiler diets ^{[3]Source: MDPI Applied Sciences, “Effects of Phytase, Xylanase, Amylase and Protease Inclusion at Full Matrix Specifications in Diets for Broiler Chickens,” MDPI, mdpi.com}. That evidence helps explain why the broiler feed market is moving toward products backed by trial data rather than simple ingredient claims. Suppliers that can show better feed conversion ratio performance are in a stronger position to defend pricing and retain larger commercial accounts.

Shift toward Antibiotic-Free and Additive-Led Feed Programs

The broiler feed industry is moving toward more additive-led formulations as antimicrobial controls become stricter across key poultry-producing regions. The European Medicines Agency reported that antimicrobial consumption in food-producing animals in Europe reached its lowest level on record in 2024, confirming the strength of the stewardship shift ^{[4]Source: European Medicines Agency, “Consumption of Antimicrobials in Animals Reaches Lowest Level Ever in Europe,” European Medicines Agency, europa.eu}. As antibiotic growth promoters are phased out of routine use, feed formulators need additional tools to maintain gut health, growth, and flock consistency. That change raises the commercial importance of enzymes, probiotics, plant extracts, organic acids, and related functional ingredients in the broiler feed market. The additives segment growth shows that this shift is already becoming visible in spending patterns. The result is a broader move away from simple commodity feed blends toward more specialized nutrition programs.

European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)-Linked Soy Traceability Premiums

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) adds a new compliance layer to the broiler feed market, especially for supply chains with heavy soybean meal exposure. The regulation mandates plot-level traceability for covered commodities and products, with large and medium-sized operators required to comply by December 30, 2026. Non-compliance can result in penalties of up to 4% of an operator's annual European Union turnover. The European Feed Manufacturers' Federation reported disruption risk in the soy trade due to compliance systems that were still not fully ready, creating a tighter, less flexible sourcing environment. These requirements increase documentation costs for exporters and compounders that serve Europe-linked demand. They also make soy procurement less straightforward for mills that lack strong traceability systems. In practical terms, this raises sourcing premiums and encourages the broiler feed market to examine more diversified protein inputs.

Climate-Driven Mycotoxin and Ingredient-Quality Risk

Mycotoxin exposure is becoming a more serious restraint for the broiler feed market as weather volatility affects crop quality across more producing regions. This problem is not limited to visible spoilage, as multiple toxins can be present simultaneously and still reduce flock performance. A 2025 peer-reviewed study published in Poultry Science found that multi-mycotoxin exposure in broilers can impair gut health, weaken immunity, reduce vaccine response, and worsen feed conversion performance. That combination creates hidden cost pressure because birds may perform below target even when ingredient prices look manageable on paper. It also reduces confidence in standard formulations when ingredient quality is inconsistent. As a result, the broiler feed market is putting more commercial value on screening, binders, documentation, and tighter supplier control.

*Our forecasts treat driver/restraint impacts as directional, not additive. The impact forecasts reflect baseline growth, mix effects, and variable interactions.

Segment Analysis

By Feed Phase: Early-Life Formulations Drive Above-Average Growth

The largest feed phase segment was finisher, which held 42.6% of the broiler feed market share in 2025. This lead reflects the high feed intake during the final growth window, when producers focus on carcass yield and feed efficiency. Commercial broiler systems place strong emphasis on finisher diets because the last stage directly affects saleable output and processing returns. The fastest-growing feed phase segment is the starter, projected to grow at a 4.1% CAGR during 2026-2031. That faster pace shows that more producers now treat early-life nutrition as a performance foundation rather than a basic opening ration.

Starter diets are gaining more attention because gut development, immunity, and nutrient uptake are set early in the production cycle. The grower phase still plays a key balancing role because it connects early development with the high-volume finisher stage. Research published in Poultry Science in 2026 found that β-mannanase supplementation in reduced-energy broiler diets improved nutrient utilization and growth performance, highlighting continued industry interest in enzyme-enabled feed reformulation strategies to maintain productivity while reducing feed costs. This means value growth in the broiler feed market is not limited to higher volumes, but also reflects more precise feeding decisions across each phase. Coöperatie Koninklijke Agrifirm U.A. agreed to acquire Hamlet Protein in March 2026, underscoring that early-life and specialty nutrition remain attractive areas for commercial expansion.

By Form: Pellet Dominance Persists While Crumbles Gain Starter-Phase Momentum

Pellets were the largest form segment, accounting for 55.7% of the broiler feed market in 2025. Their leading position reflects lower waste, stronger feed-handling efficiency, and broader use in large commercial broiler systems. Pellets also fit well with producers' focus on feed conversion ratio because they support more uniform intake and more consistent nutrient delivery. Crumbles are the fastest-growing segment and are projected to advance at 4.6% CAGR during 2026-2031. This faster growth is closely linked to the rising focus on starter nutrition, where a smaller particle size better suits younger birds.

Mash remains relevant in smaller commercial systems and in areas with less developed pelleting infrastructure. It also continues to serve farms that still rely on simpler feed handling practices or mixed feeding approaches. The broiler feed market for crumbles is growing as buyers place greater value on early intake and chick accessibility. Research published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science in 2026 showed that combined lysophospholipid and lipase supplementation maintained broiler performance under energy-restricted feeding conditions, supporting cost control without forcing a change away from established feed forms. Over time, the form mix in the broiler feed market is likely to keep shifting toward pellets and crumbles as commercial farming becomes more standardized.

By Ingredient Type: Additive-Led Value Growth Outpaces Base Ingredients

Cereals accounted for the largest ingredient segment with 36.8% share of the broiler feed market in 2025, reflecting the fundamental role of corn and other grains as primary energy sources in broiler feed formulations. Oilseed meals remained another major ingredient group because soybean meal still provides a large share of protein in commercial rations. The fastest-growing ingredient segment is additives, projected to grow at a 5.4% CAGR during 2026-2031. That pace is well above the overall market rate and shows that value growth in the broiler feed market size is shifting toward performance support rather than just bulk ingredients. This development is reinforcing demand for functional feed additives such as enzymes, probiotics, phytogenics, and organic acids, which are increasingly used to improve digestive performance and optimize nutrient absorption. 

Molasses continues to play a niche role in improving feed palatability and binding properties, particularly in certain mash formulations. Fish oil and fish meal remain part of the ingredient mix, although cost and supply constraints continue to drive interest in alternative sources. Emerging proteins and specialty ingredients are also gaining selective adoption as producers seek greater formulation flexibility. Consequently, ingredient selection is increasingly driven by functional performance and production outcomes, reinforcing the shift toward more targeted, value-oriented broiler feed formulations. 

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific was the largest regional segment with 46.5% of the broiler feed market share in 2025, and it is also the fastest regional segment with a projected 4.3% CAGR during 2026-2031. This position reflects strong poultry demand, rising commercial production, and the broad affordability of chicken across many large population centers. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization outlook support this direction, as much of the added poultry consumption through 2034 is projected to come from Asia and other developing regions. Koninklijke De Heus Voeders B.V. has expanded its Asian platform in March 2026 through CJ Feed and Care, reinforcing that the broiler feed market in the region remains attractive for long-term investment.

South America remains an important region in the broiler feed market because poultry production and feed demand are closely connected to grain and oilseed availability. Brazil remains especially influential because it combines a strong poultry base with a major role in agricultural raw materials tied to feed formulation. Cargill, Incorporated, announced in 2025 a binding offer to acquire Mig-Plus in Brazil, indicating that nutrition companies still see room to deepen their footprint in major producing markets. North America is more mature by volume, so competition there centers more on efficiency, formulation upgrades, and additive performance than on large jumps in feed tonnage. This means the broiler feed market in the Americas combines scale-driven demand in South America with performance-led differentiation in North America.

Europe remains a lower-growth but higher-compliance part of the broiler feed market. The European Union Deforestation Regulation is pushing feed manufacturers to build more traceable soy sourcing systems before the December 30, 2026, deadline. Africa and the Middle East show stronger room for expansion because poultry remains a practical protein source in markets with fast population growth and changing food demand patterns. Hotter climate conditions also make functional and heat-support feed solutions more relevant in these regions, especially where flock performance is exposed to sustained temperature stress. As a result, the broiler feed market exhibits distinct regional priorities, with Asia-Pacific emphasizing production scale, Europe focusing on regulatory compliance, and Africa and the Middle East prioritizing market access, supply chain resilience, and industry formalization.