EUROPE AQUAFEED MARKET SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECAST (2025 - 2030)

Europe Aquafeed Market Trends and Insights

Rising Intensification of Aquaculture Across the Region

European aquaculture production is increasing as operators transition from extensive ponds to high-density sea cages and land-based facilities. This intensification creates concentrated feed demand, enabling feed mills to benefit from economies of scale and optimize delivery networks. The 2023 harvest in Norway's Trøndelag region, which reached 239,800 metric tons valued at NOK 17.1 billion (USD 1.6 billion), illustrates how concentrated production creates high-volume demand centers^{[2]Source: Statistics Norway, “Aquaculture Statistics,” ssb.no}. Simplified permitting processes for compliant intensive operations support this transition, while environmental regulations limit extensive farming. This development pattern sustains demand for high-performance feeds that command higher prices due to improved feed conversion ratios and lower environmental impact.

Growth of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) Demanding Specialized High-density Feeds

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are expanding across Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway, supported by stable energy prices and improved engineering reliability^{[3]Source: Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, “Aquaculture Regulations and Data,” fiskeridir.no}. These closed-loop systems require specialized feeds with high digestibility and low phosphorus content to maintain water quality. Feed manufacturers such as BioMar have developed RAS-specific product lines with enhanced nutrient absorption and durability features that reduce solid waste output. The technical complexity of these specialized feeds enables premium pricing while creating barriers for conventional feed producers. The integration between feed manufacturers and RAS technology suppliers increases customer retention and competitive advantages. RAS adoption is anticipated to grow through 2030, driven by land availability constraints and regulations on fish escape prevention, supporting continued feed revenue growth.

EU Green Deal Incentives for Low-Carbon Feed Ingredients

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism transitioned from a reporting phase in 2023-2025 to implementing phased tariffs in 2026, imposing additional costs of 2.5-100% on high-carbon imports^{[4]Source: European Commission, “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism,” ec.europa.eu}. The fishmeal and soybean supply chains face significant exposure to these tariffs, driving a shift toward alternative ingredients such as single-cell proteins, insect meals, and European cereals. DSM-Firmenich's divestment of its Feed Enzymes Alliance stake for EUR 1.5 billion (USD 1.6 billion) in February 2025 reflects corporate portfolio adjustments to meet low-carbon requirements. The European Deforestation Regulation's stricter controls on soy sourcing enhance the cost competitiveness of low-carbon alternatives. Feed mills that maintain low-emission product portfolios gain sustainable competitive advantages in both brand value and cost structure.

Retailer Sustainability Scorecards Pushing Certified Aquafeed Sourcing

Major grocery retailers evaluate seafood suppliers based on ingredient transparency and certifications from MarinTrust or the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. Certified feed products command 10-15% price premiums, while non-certified products risk removal from premium retail shelves. In 2024, Skretting's procurement agreements with insect-protein manufacturer Volare demonstrate efforts to secure certified ingredients and maintain retail market access. Supplier scorecards establish traceability requirements throughout the supply chain, creating a market division between verified and non-verified feeds. Growing consumer demand for sustainable products influences retailers to prioritize certified feed ingredients, leading to consistent market demand for third-party verified ingredients.

High Capital Cost of Extrusion and Pelletizing Upgrades for Novel Ingredients

The processing of insect meal and algal oils requires specialized equipment with specific shear forces, temperature controls, and coating capabilities that existing production lines cannot accommodate. Production line upgrades cost between EUR 2-5 million (USD 2.2-5.4 million), which creates financial constraints for regional feed mills. The EUR 37 million (USD 40 million) loan from the European Investment Bank to Protix in 2024 for its Polish operations demonstrates the significant capital requirements. Large companies, including Nutreco N.V., can distribute investment costs across multiple facilities, which increases market consolidation. This financial barrier causes smaller manufacturers to delay the adoption of alternative ingredients, impeding the industry's transition from marine-based proteins.

Biosecurity Threats Lengthening Product-Approval Timelines

In 2024, recurring sea lice outbreaks and viral incidents increased regulatory oversight in Norway. Norwegian authorities now require comprehensive trials for immunity-boosting additives, extending approval timelines by 18-24 months. Ingredient suppliers must provide documentation for traceability, contamination prevention, and pathogen-mitigation protocols, which increases initial costs. This regulatory scrutiny protects farms from disease outbreaks, but it also delays the introduction of new nutritional products that could improve sustainability.

Segment Analysis

By Type: Fish Feed Remains Core Volume Driver

Fish feed accounts for 37.6% of the Europe aquafeed market share in 2024, driven by Norway's salmon and trout production and consistent demand for carp and tilapia in Central and Southern Europe. Salmon feed represents the highest volume, supporting extensive sea-cage operations and increasing land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) that require concentrated feed formulations. Carp feed sustains pond systems in Poland and the Czech Republic, while tilapia feed serves Mediterranean pond operations that maintain year-round production cycles.

The crustacean feed segment is projected to grow at a 7.2% CAGR, representing the highest growth rate in the market. This growth is primarily driven by shrimp farming, with Spain and Portugal expanding their Litopenaeus vannamei production systems, which require specific protein and lipid compositions different from fish feed. Additional demand comes from experimental crab farming operations in France and the United Kingdom. Crustacean feed commands higher prices than fish feed, resulting in faster revenue growth compared to volume increases. The expansion of crustacean feed production offers market diversification opportunities for producers looking to reduce their dependence on salmon feed market fluctuations.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Ingredient: Fishmeal Still Ranks First While Supplements Surge

Fishmeal accounts for 42.3% of the Europe aquafeed market size in 2024, maintaining its dominant position due to its balanced amino-acid profile and established supply chain. Increasing sustainability concerns and supply chain constraints are leading to stricter fishing quotas and price fluctuations. The market share of fishmeal is projected to decrease as alternative ingredients, including recycled fish trimmings, insect meals, and single-cell protein, gain market share. Despite this trend, fishmeal remains essential in aquafeed formulations, particularly for early-stage fish development where digestibility is crucial.

The supplements segment, which includes single-cell proteins, algal oils, functional additives, and enzymes, demonstrates the highest growth rate at 7.3% CAGR. This growth is supported by European initiatives promoting carbon reduction and supply chain traceability. Veramaris's expansion of algal oil production in 2024 demonstrates the viability of fish oil alternatives for omega-3 supplementation. Advanced nutritional additives designed for recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) enhance immune response and maintain water quality, reducing the need for antibiotics. The high value-per-kilogram nature of supplements contributes to significant revenue growth, transforming ingredient allocation patterns in the Europe aquafeed market.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

Norway holds a 26.9% share of the Europe aquafeed market in 2024, establishing itself as a major production hub by combining large-scale operations with advanced technology. The region generated significant revenue, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrated feed mills, cold logistics, and established farming licenses. The country's government research funding and consistent licensing system enable feed mills to test precision diets and digital feeding systems.

Spain shows significant growth potential with a projected 8.1% CAGR through 2030. The Mediterranean climate enables continuous production cycles for sea bass, sea bream, and shrimp, increasing feed consumption efficiency. The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's 2024 funding for sustainable ingredient initiatives encourages mills to adopt certified soy and single-cell-protein, meeting both national food security objectives and European climate requirements^{[5]Source: Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, “Spain Aquaculture Initiatives,” mapa.gob.es} .

Germany, France, and Italy represent stable but smaller market segments. Germany focuses on advanced RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) units near urban areas, requiring specialized diets that minimize nutrient discharge. France utilizes its existing animal feed infrastructure of 320 factories, with a turnover of EUR 10.9 billion (USD 11.8 billion), to expand into mussel and oyster feed production. Italy develops offshore cage farming in the Tyrrhenian Sea, requiring water-resistant pellets^{[6]Source: INSEE, “Animal Feed Manufacturing Statistics,” insee.fr}. These markets create a balanced distribution between Northern European technology centers and Southern diversification hubs, strengthening the overall Europe aquafeed market structure.