Market Overview
| Study Period | 2017 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 615.66 Million |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 786.13 Million |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 5.01% CAGR |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
Europe Feed Acidifiers Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Europe feed acidifiers market value is USD 615.66 million and is projected to reach USD 786.13 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.01% during 2025-2030. The prohibition of antibiotic growth promoters underscores the importance of organic acids in supporting gut health and enhancing overall animal performance. Strict regulations aimed at reducing Salmonella in poultry production are driving the demand for effective feed additives to meet food safety requirements. The growth of compound-feed production in Eastern Europe presents substantial opportunities for market participants to address the rising demand for high-quality feed solutions. Furthermore, increased investments in circular-economy biorefineries are mitigating raw material risks and fostering sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact.
Key Report Takeaways
- By sub-additive, propionic acid led with 34.3% Europe feed acidifiers market share in 2024; fumaric acid is forecast to expand at a 5.13% CAGR through 2030.
- By animal, poultry accounted for 35.5% of the Europe feed acidifiers market size in 2024, while swine demand is advancing at a 5.33% CAGR to 2030.
- By geography, Spain captured 15.4% revenue share in 2024, and the United Kingdom is projected to register the fastest 5.71% CAGR through 2030.
Europe Feed Acidifiers Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union ban on antibiotic growth promoters accelerating acidifier adoption | +1.20% | European Union, United Kingdom, and Norway | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Salmonella-control rules fueling organic acid use in poultry diets | +0.80% | European Union leadership | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Expansion of compound-feed output in Eastern Europe | +0.60% | Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Czech Republic | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Consolidation of feed mills enabling standardized additive inclusion | +0.50% | European Union and United Kingdom | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Circular-economy sourcing of organic acids from biorefineries | +0.40% | France, Netherlands, and Germany | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Precision pH-control systems in smart livestock farms | +0.30% | Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
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European Union Ban on Antibiotic Growth Promoters Accelerating Acidifier Adoption
The 2006 European Union prohibition on antibiotic growth promoters continues to shape demand by positioning organic acids as non-negotiable inclusions across all compound feeds, driving baseline volumes for the Europe feed acidifiers market. Renewed EFSA authorizations for propionic acid in 2024 reinforce a predictable regulatory framework that underpins supplier investment in new capacity and formulation research. Producers have rewired entire nutritional programs around acidifier-centric gut-health protocols, cementing a structural market need rather than a cyclical one. Post-Brexit regulatory divergence intensifies product differentiation because separate U.K. approvals create a two-track system, opening white-space for specialized blends suited to local specifications. The net effect is a long-term, region-wide tailwind that keeps annual inclusion rates on an upward trajectory, especially as new evidence links gut pH management to antimicrobial-resistance mitigation. Finally, the ban bolsters environmental and consumer-perception benefits, making acidifiers integral to sustainable protein strategies that resonate with retailers and policy makers alike.
Salmonella-Control Rules Fueling Organic Acid Use in Poultry Diets
European Commission pathogen-reduction targets compel broiler and layer producers to integrate organic acids as first-line barriers against Salmonella, directly lifting volumes within the Europe feed acidifiers market[1]Source: European Commission, “Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/762,” eur-lex.europa.eu. Species-specific authorizations, clarified in Regulation 2024/762, remove legal ambiguities and encourage broader application of buffered acids that balance efficacy with equipment safety. Commercial farms increasingly deploy blended solutions such as BASF’s Lupro-Mix NA to maintain antimicrobial power while mitigating corrosiveness, driving demand for multi-acid packages. Rising adoption dovetails with retailer-driven “no Salmonella” branding, positioning acids as verifiable points of difference in supply-chain audits. Importantly, poultry feed operates on the tightest production cycles, meaning that incremental performance gains via pH control translate quickly into annualized demand. Enhanced traceability systems inside modern hatcheries further boost adoption because liquid acid dosing can be digitally documented, easing compliance reporting and safeguarding market access in export channels.
Expansion of Compound-Feed Output in Eastern Europe
Commercial feed production in Poland, Romania, and adjacent markets is rising steadily. Poland alone reported 2.3% growth in poultry feed for 2024, creating incremental metric tons that directly scale acidifier demand. Foreign direct investment, typified by Cargill’s divest-and-upgrade strategy culminating in the 2025 sale of Romanian mills to Carmistin, accelerates plant modernization and the installation of automated liquid-acid dosing lines that favor higher-value formulations. Standardization of nutritional specs within consolidated regional mill networks means that once an inclusion protocol is adopted, it propagates rapidly across large production volumes. Feed manufacturers also pivot toward feed safety certifications such as GMP+ and FAMI-QS, both of which flag organic acids as validated pathogen-reduction tools, further cementing demand. Eastern Europe’s push to expand pork output, particularly as African swine fever recovery gathers momentum, adds another species layer that amplifies acidifier uptake. Collectively, these factors transform the sub-region into the fastest absolute-volume contributor to future growth within the Europe feed acidifiers market.
Consolidation of Feed Mills Enabling Standardized Additive Inclusion
Across Western and Central Europe, the number of operating mills is contracting even as total output holds steady, producing larger-scale plants with sophisticated dosing infrastructure that normalize acidifier usage[2]Source: FEFAC, “EU Compound Feed Production Market Forecast 2024,” fefac.eu. Scale economics allow capital investments in automated tank systems, reducing labor risk and ensuring uniform liquid-acid dispersion, which historically limited adoption in smaller sites. Brenntag’s 2025 automation upgrade in Poland exemplifies how distribution partners align capacity with the needs of mega-mills capable of multi-metric ton batch sizes. Standard operating procedures emerging from consolidation also simplify supplier technical-service protocols and create data sets that validate return-on-investment models for proprietary blends. Larger purchasing volumes strengthen supplier-miller relationships through longer-term contracts, mitigating price volatility. Finally, harmonized inclusion levels across multiple sites give additive formulators a predictable offtake, facilitating supply-chain planning and raw-material hedging for organic acid intermediates. Together, this industrial re-configuration supports steady gains in per-metric ton inclusion rates and drives recurring revenue.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volatile corn-derived acidifier raw-material prices | -0.70% | Global, European Union import-dependent | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| High Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) registration and compliance costs | -0.50% | European Union, European Economic Area | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Uptake of buffered acid salts cannibalizing straight acids | -0.30% | European Union and United Kingdom | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Post-Brexit divergence in U.K. additive approvals | -0.20% | United Kingdom and Northern Ireland | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Volatile Corn-Derived Acidifier Raw-Material Prices
Fumaric and lactic acids rely heavily on corn dextrose fermentation, exposing producers to commodity swings that tighten margins whenever cereal prices spike. EU anti-dumping duties on Chinese amino acids since January 2025 illustrate how geopolitical trade measures can rapidly elevate input costs for the broader additive sector. Industry associations such as the European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC) have already petitioned Brussels to classify key nutrients as critical, underscoring the severity of supply-chain vulnerability. Smaller specialty producers lack the balance-sheet strength to hedge futures or absorb cost surges, pushing them toward price hikes that erode competitiveness. This can delay feed-mill reformulations that rely on cost parity to justify switching from salts to free acids. Short-term procurement contracts become riskier, causing some mills to stockpile inventory, further distorting supply dynamics. Altogether, price volatility restrains near-term growth by injecting uncertainty into both supplier and customer planning cycles within the Europe feed acidifiers market.
High Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Registration and Compliance Costs
Bringing a new acidifier molecule to market may exceed USD 1.07 million in toxicology, ecotoxicology, and dossier fees under Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), deterring innovation among small and mid-tier firms. Shared-dossier consortia often force rivals into uneasy partnerships, raising confidentiality concerns and litigation risk. Lengthy review timelines stretch payback periods, throttling investment in encapsulated or synergistic blends that could offer superior performance. The requirement for extensive data on environmental fate is particularly onerous for acids that already carry Generally Recognized as Safe status elsewhere, creating a European barrier behind which incumbent products gain quasi-monopoly protection. Compliance complexities also spill down the value chain. Feed mills must maintain dossiers for every additive batch, escalating administrative overheads that discourage switching suppliers. In aggregate, high regulatory hurdles depress the introduction of novel solutions, capping the speed at which the Europe feed acidifiers market can evolve toward next-generation formulations.
Segment Analysis
By Sub-Additive: Propionic Acid Anchors Dual-Function Demand
Propionic acid dominated Europe feed acidifiers market with a 34.3% share in 2024, serving dual functions as a preservative and silage stabilizer. BASF's Lupro-Cid product line combines formic and propionic acids, demonstrating the industry shift toward acid blends that maintain antimicrobial efficacy at reduced inclusion rates. Fumaric acid shows strong growth at 5.13% CAGR, driven by proven performance benefits in swine and expanded EFSA approvals across all livestock categories.
Lactic acid maintains consistent demand in poultry and aquaculture applications due to its positive impact on feed palatability and gut microbiota. Additional acids, including citric, benzoic, and butyric, address specific requirements in taste enhancement and mycotoxin control. Manufacturers are developing enhanced delivery systems through encapsulation and buffering technologies to optimize gastric release and reduce equipment wear, supporting continued free acid adoption despite increasing competition from acid salts.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
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By Animal: Poultry Retains Primacy as Swine Surges
Poultry accounts for 35.5% of the Europe feed acidifiers market in 2024, driven primarily by Salmonella control requirements. The swine segment is growing at a 5.33% CAGR, the highest in the market, due to the EU ban on therapeutic zinc oxide that requires producers to switch to organic acids for gut stabilization. This growth trajectory indicates the swine segment will narrow the market share gap with poultry by 2030.
The ruminant segment maintains a limited market presence, with acids primarily used as palatants in calf starters and preservation agents in total mixed rations. The aquaculture segment is experiencing rapid growth following the 2024 EU approval of acetic and sodium diacetate in fish feeds, creating a new regulated pathway for acid formulations. The market also includes specialty segments such as rabbits, pets, and equines, where the benefits of flexible dosing and improved palatability support higher product prices.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
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Geography Analysis
Western Europe remains the primary revenue generator. Germany's compound-feed production of 24.4 million metric tons drives substantial acid consumption, despite stable livestock numbers due to environmental regulations. France benefits from integrated poultry and dairy supply chains and local bio-acid production through AFTERBIOCHEM, which reduces supply chain complexity and increases adoption. The United Kingdom's post-EU status enables 5.71% growth potential as specialized formulations progress through Food Standards Agency approvals, creating a distinct segment within the Europe feed acidifiers market.
Spain leads Southern Europe with a 15.4% market share in 2024, supported by 36.0 million metric tons of compound feed production, primarily in the poultry and swine sectors. Italy and the Netherlands maintain moderate market shares despite reduced herd sizes from nitrate and animal welfare regulations, with acidifiers focusing on efficiency and emission reduction benefits. Portugal and Greece contribute additional volume through aquaculture expansion, following recent regulatory approvals for marine species.
Eastern Europe shows significant growth potential. Poland records a 2.3% annual increase in poultry feed volumes, while Brenntag's facility expansion and capital investments across Romania and Hungary increase regional acidifier adoption. Turkey's implementation of EU feed safety standards improves market penetration, and Russia maintains demand through established trade routes, despite geopolitical challenges. These regional developments highlight the diverse yet connected nature of the Europe feed acidifiers market.
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Competitive Landscape
The Europe feed acidifiers market maintains moderate concentration, with the top five companies accounting for a 37.4% market share of 2024 revenue. This positions the market in a balanced competitive zone, avoiding both oligopolistic control and excessive fragmentation. BASF maintains market leadership through its integrated chemical complexes, which provide cost advantages and comprehensive regulatory compliance. Cargill's strategic decision to sell Romanian mills in 2025 indicates its focus on high-margin additive segments in Western European markets.
Companies are differentiating themselves through sustainability initiatives and digital solutions. Corbion's new lactic-acid production line demonstrates a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, addressing the needs of feed manufacturers subject to Scope-3 reporting requirements. Evonik combines probiotics, guanidinoacetic acid, and pathogen-monitoring systems to provide integrated solutions that enhance customer retention[3]Source: Evonik, “More Animal Health,” evonik.com . Brenntag expands its formulation capacity to serve large-scale mills through consolidated supply agreements, while Kemin provides IoT-enabled dosing equipment that combines additive and hardware offerings.
Innovation in the market focuses on advanced delivery systems and formulation technologies. Novus International develops lipid-encapsulated fumaric acid microbeads, while Alltech's DLG partnership expands premix facilities for combined acid-enzyme formulations targeting enhanced pathogen control. Established regulatory compliance, particularly through EFSA dossiers, creates significant entry barriers for new competitors and strengthens the position of existing market leaders in the Europe feed acidifiers market.
Europe Feed Acidifiers Industry Leaders
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BASF SE
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Cargill, Incorporated
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Nutreco N.V. (SHV Holdings NV)
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Adisseo (China National Bluestar Group)
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Brenntag SE
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Recent Industry Developments
- March 2025: Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer serving 80% of the world's population with its products and services, introduced PROSIDIUM™, a new feed pathogen control solution. The product, developed through extensive research, uses novel peroxy acids to help raw material and animal feed producers ensure feed safety.
- December 2024: Brenntag, a global distributor of chemicals and ingredients, has established an exclusive distribution agreement between Brenntag Animal Nutrition and Pathway Intermediates, a European manufacturer of absorption enhancers in animal nutrition. Under this agreement, Brenntag will distribute Lipidol, an absorption accelerator for the animal nutrition industry, across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Benelux, and Nordic regions. This strategic partnership strengthens the distribution network of feed acidifiers in Europe.
- October 2024: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) renewed the authorization for propionic acid as a feed additive for all terrestrial animal species in October 2024. The decision followed a safety assessment conducted by the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP).
Europe Feed Acidifiers Market Report Scope
Sub Additive
| Fumaric Acid |
| Lactic Acid |
| Propionic Acid |
| Other Acidifiers |
Animal
| Aquaculture | By Sub Animal | Fish |
| Shrimp | ||
| Other Aquaculture Species | ||
| Poultry | By Sub Animal | Broiler |
| Layer | ||
| Other Poultry Birds | ||
| Ruminants | By Sub Animal | Beef Cattle |
| Dairy Cattle | ||
| Other Ruminants | ||
| Swine | ||
| Other Animals |
Geography
| France |
| Germany |
| Italy |
| Netherlands |
| Russia |
| Spain |
| Turkey |
| United Kingdom |
| Rest of Europe |
| Sub Additive | Fumaric Acid | ||
| Lactic Acid | |||
| Propionic Acid | |||
| Other Acidifiers | |||
| Animal | Aquaculture | By Sub Animal | Fish |
| Shrimp | |||
| Other Aquaculture Species | |||
| Poultry | By Sub Animal | Broiler | |
| Layer | |||
| Other Poultry Birds | |||
| Ruminants | By Sub Animal | Beef Cattle | |
| Dairy Cattle | |||
| Other Ruminants | |||
| Swine | |||
| Other Animals | |||
| Geography | France | ||
| Germany | |||
| Italy | |||
| Netherlands | |||
| Russia | |||
| Spain | |||
| Turkey | |||
| United Kingdom | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
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Market Definition
- FUNCTIONS - For the study, feed additives are considered to be commercially manufactured products that are used to enhance characteristics such as weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and feed intake when fed in appropriate proportions.
- RESELLERS - Companies engaged in reselling feed additives without value addition have been excluded from the market scope, to avoid double counting.
- END CONSUMERS - Compound feed manufacturers are considered to be end-consumers in the market studied. The scope excludes farmers buying feed additives to be used directly as supplements or premixes.
- INTERNAL COMPANY CONSUMPTION - Companies engaged in the production of compound feed as well as the manufacturing of feed additives are part of the study. However, while estimating the market sizes, the internal consumption of feed additives by such companies has been excluded.
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| Feed additives | Feed additives are products used in animal nutrition for purposes of improving the quality of feed and the quality of food from animal origin, or to improve the animals’ performance and health. |
| Probiotics | Probiotics are microorganisms introduced into the body for their beneficial qualities. (It maintains or restores beneficial bacteria to the gut). |
| Antibiotics | Antibiotic is a drug that is specifically used to inhibit the growth of bacteria. |
| Prebiotics | A non-digestible food ingredient that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines. |
| Antioxidants | Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a chemical reaction that produces free radicals. |
| Phytogenics | Phytogenics are a group of natural and non-antibiotic growth promoters derived from herbs, spices, essential oils, and oleoresins. |
| Vitamins | Vitamins are organic compounds, which are required for normal growth and maintenance of the body. |
| Metabolism | A chemical process that occurs within a living organism in order to maintain life. |
| Amino acids | Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and play an important role in metabolic pathways. |
| Enzymes | Enzyme is a substance that acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction. |
| Anti-microbial resistance | The ability of a microorganism to resist the effects of an antimicrobial agent. |
| Anti-microbial | Destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. |
| Osmotic balance | It is a process of maintaining salt and water balance across membranes within the body's fluids. |
| Bacteriocin | Bacteriocins are the toxins produced by bacteria to inhibit the growth of similar or closely related bacterial strains. |
| Biohydrogenation | It is a process that occurs in the rumen of an animal in which bacteria convert unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) to saturated fatty acids (SFA). |
| Oxidative rancidity | It is a reaction of fatty acids with oxygen, which generally causes unpleasant odors in animals. To prevent these, antioxidants were added. |
| Mycotoxicosis | Any condition or disease caused by fungal toxins, mainly due to contamination of animal feed with mycotoxins. |
| Mycotoxins | Mycotoxins are toxin compounds that are naturally produced by certain types of molds (fungi). |
| Feed Probiotics | Microbial feed supplements positively affect gastrointestinal microbial balance. |
| Probiotic yeast | Feed yeast (single-cell fungi) and other fungi used as probiotics. |
| Feed enzymes | They are used to supplement digestive enzymes in an animal’s stomach to break down food. Enzymes also ensure that meat and egg production is improved. |
| Mycotoxin detoxifiers | They are used to prevent fungal growth and to stop any harmful mold from being absorbed in the gut and blood. |
| Feed antibiotics | They are used both for the prevention and treatment of diseases but also for rapid growth and development. |
| Feed antioxidants | They are used to protect the deterioration of other feed nutrients in the feed such as fats, vitamins, pigments, and flavoring agents, thus providing nutrient security to the animals. |
| Feed phytogenics | Phytogenics are natural substances, added to livestock feed to promote growth, aid in digestion, and act as anti-microbial agents. |
| Feed vitamins | They are used to maintain the normal physiological function and normal growth and development of animals. |
| Feed flavors and sweetners | These flavors and sweeteners help to mask tastes and odors during changes in additives or medications and make them ideal for animal diets undergoing transition. |
| Feed acidifiers | Animal feed acidifiers are organic acids incorporated into the feed for nutritional or preservative purposes. Acidifiers enhance congestion and microbiological balance in the alimentary and digestive tracts of livestock. |
| Feed minerals | Feed minerals play an important role in the regular dietary requirements of animal feed. |
| Feed binders | Feed binders are the binding agents used in the manufacture of safe animal feed products. It enhances the taste of food and prolongs the storage period of the feed. |
| Key Terms | Abbreviation |
| LSDV | Lumpy Skin Disease Virus |
| ASF | African Swine Fever |
| GPA | Growth Promoter Antibiotics |
| NSP | Non-Starch Polysaccharides |
| PUFA | Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid |
| Afs | Aflatoxins |
| AGP | Antibiotic Growth Promoters |
| FAO | The Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
| USDA | The United States Department of Agriculture |
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Research Methodology
Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.
- Step-1: IDENTIFY KEY VARIABLES: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
- Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period.
- Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
- Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms
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