Aquafeed Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Global Aquafeed Market Trends and Insights

Rising Global Seafood Consumption

Aquaculture contributes 46% of total fish output, with China's per-capita seafood consumption reaching 14.9 kg in 2024, establishing a stable demand foundation for the aquafeed market. Middle-income economies represent the primary source of increased demand as consumers diversify their protein sources toward fish. The post-pandemic emphasis on health has increased seafood consumption in household diets, while e-commerce platforms have enhanced access to premium farmed species in urban areas. According to Rabobank, China is projected to generate 40% of additional seafood demand by 2030, representing USD 29 billion in import requirements. This growth pattern requires feed manufacturers to increase production volumes while addressing marine ingredient sustainability concerns, driving investments in alternative proteins and efficiency-enhancing feed additives.

Export-Oriented Aquaculture Expansion

Producers increasingly target international price premiums rather than local demand. Ecuador's shrimp output increased from 40,000 metric tons in 2000 to 1.2 million metric tons in 2023, a change that increases feed volumes while making operations more vulnerable to input costs and disease outbreaks. Saudi Arabia targets 600,000 metric tons of farmed seafood by 2030 under its food-security initiatives, supported by Cargill's collaboration with ARASCO and NEOM. The focus on exports drives the adoption of functional additives that enhance product shelf life and color to meet international buyer requirements. In the aquafeed market, suppliers differentiate themselves through specialized nutrition profiles designed for premium export grades.

Advanced Feed-Formulation Technologies

Precision nutrition platforms, such as Cargill's FLOW system, reduce nutrient leakage by 50%. Solid-state fermentation processes convert rice bran into high-protein shrimp ingredients, utilizing agricultural by-products and reducing fish meal dependency. Microencapsulation technology enables controlled release of sensitive compounds, enhancing digestibility and feed-conversion ratios. Advanced extrusion processes create complex pellet structures that maintain water stability while ensuring optimal gut dissolution, a critical factor as feed comprises 60-70% of production costs. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and DNA bar-coding enable real-time quality control, minimizing batch variations and ensuring label compliance for regulatory requirements.

Demand for Functional/Medicated Feeds

European Union Regulation 2019/4 restricts the use of growth-promoting antimicrobials, resulting in increased adoption of probiotic and prebiotic blends that enhance gut health without antibiotic residues.^{[3]European Environment Agency, “Reducing Antimicrobial Use in Animals,” eea.europa.eu} Research trials utilizing Bacillus licheniformis demonstrated significant improvements in survival and growth rates among hybrid grouper populations, validating the efficacy of biological alternatives. Additionally, Streptomyces-based products enhanced feed efficiency in Pacific white shrimp specimens. The implementation of organic trace minerals increases bioavailability while reducing environmental discharge, facilitating compliance with effluent regulations. This strategic transition toward functional nutrition enhances supplier margins and minimizes regulatory risk in the aquafeed market.

Volatile Fish Meal and Fish Oil Prices

Peru, which accounts for 20% of global fish meal production, experienced a significant disruption when El Nino events reduced the 2023 catch to 25% of the quota, resulting in a USD 1.4 billion revenue decline and elevated raw-material costs. Although 2024 demonstrated recovery with landings reaching 98% of the 2.48 million metric tons quota, supply uncertainties persist in the market. In response, manufacturers have implemented higher inventory levels or incorporated alternative proteins. China's periodic fishing restrictions increase its import requirements and generate temporary price increases, affecting processor margins. The market experiences additional volatility as increased soymeal prices can drive fishmeal demand, creating a cyclical pattern of input-cost fluctuations in the aquafeed market.

Antibiotic-Use Regulatory Tightening

The European Union's target of reducing antimicrobial use by 50% by 2030 requires producers to reformulate diets and implement disease-prevention protocols. The varying regulations across regions create market imbalances and potential trade barriers, particularly where critically important antibiotics remain permitted. The United States Food and Drug Administration's florfenicol guidelines require extensive record-keeping, increasing administrative costs. While transition periods may temporarily reduce productivity, research and development investments now focus on probiotics and immune-modulators. These stricter regulations drive innovation in animal health practices and increase consumer confidence in farmed seafood products.

Segment Analysis

By Species: Carp Dominance Drives Market Growth

Carp feed dominated the aquafeed market with a 23% share in 2024, supported by extensive Asian pond systems that utilize large volumes of low-protein feed. Salmon feed secured the second position by value, reflecting the high costs of lipids and pigments needed for export-quality fillets. Tilapia feed consumption increased significantly in Africa and Southeast Asia, supported by the fish's adaptability to diverse water conditions. Catfish feed demand remained stable in North America, supported by established feed mills near soybean meal production centers. Shrimp feed exhibits the highest growth rate, with an 8.6% CAGR, driven by increased production in Ecuador, India, and Vietnam for export markets. The intensification of vannamei shrimp farming increases the requirements for dense pellets and functional additives. Mollusk feed occupies a small market segment, as these species primarily consume natural plankton, however, specialized hatchery microdiets present a limited opportunity. Disease outbreaks and environmental stress across species drive increased usage of immune-enhancing additives, highlighting the importance of health-focused formulations in aquafeed.

High-end shrimp feed formulations include microencapsulated astaxanthin and probiotics to enhance coloration and digestive health, commanding premium prices in European and United States markets. Carp feed manufacturers focus on reducing the cost per kilogram through increased use of fermented grain by-products. Tilapia feed development explores insect meal incorporation at 10% levels to optimize protein content and cost efficiency. Salmon producers in Norway and Chile implement AI-based camera systems to optimize feed distribution based on fish feeding behavior, reducing waste and environmental impact. The diversification across species protects manufacturers from market-specific disruptions while increasing formulation complexity and research requirements.

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

By Ingredient: Novel Proteins Challenge Traditional Dominance

Fish meal and fish oil maintained a 37% share in 2024, due to their superior digestibility and amino acid profile. However, the aquafeed market experiences persistent supply constraints, driving the adoption of plant concentrates and microbial proteins. Cereals and grains provide energy and binding properties, though increasing maize prices affect profit margins. Oilseeds and pulses offer cost-effective protein sources but require enzyme supplementation to address anti-nutritional factors. Additives, including antioxidants and emulsifiers, enhance pellet stability and feed palatability.

Novel proteins are growing at a 14.6% CAGR, driven by the expansion of insect-meal production facilities in Europe and single-cell protein plants in China. Calysseo's 20,000 metric tons FeedKind facility demonstrates the industrial-scale production of microbial protein now incorporated into salmon and shrimp feeds. Insect meal usage increases following European Union regulations permitting its application across all farmed fish species. Algal oils serve as partial substitutes for fish oil in providing essential fatty acids, reducing dependence on Peruvian anchovy catches. While achieving cost parity with fish meal remains challenging, lower carbon footprint benefits enable producers to access sustainability-linked financing. The diversification of ingredients reduces price volatility and establishes a foundation for sustainable, climate-resilient supply chains.

By Additive Type: Probiotics Drive Health-Focused Innovation

Amino acids dominated aquafeed additive consumption with a 28% market share in 2024, driven by the extensive use of crystalline lysine and methionine in low-fish-meal diet formulations. Vitamins and minerals rank second, providing essential support for metabolic and immune functions across different growth stages. Enzymes, specifically phytase and carbohydrase, are gaining importance as manufacturers increase plant-protein content, improving phosphorus availability and digestibility. Antioxidants maintain fat stability during extended transportation, particularly in tropical regions.

The probiotics segment exhibits the highest growth rate at 12.9% CAGR. The proven effectiveness of Bacillus and Streptomyces strains in disease prevention establishes them as viable antibiotic alternatives. Yeast-based prebiotics enhance gut microbiota composition and nutrient uptake. Organic trace minerals reduce environmental discharge while meeting stricter regulations. Premium shrimp feed formulations increasingly incorporate specialized functional blends to improve stress resistance during handling and transportation. The increasing complexity of additive formulations has led suppliers to integrate technical support services for dosage management, strengthening customer relationships, and expanding service-based revenue in the aquafeed market.

By Form: Extruded Feed Technology Advances

Pellets dominated with a 65% share in 2024, valued for their compatibility with automated blowers and feeding barges. Floating pellets enable farmers to monitor consumption visually, curbing waste. Sinking variants suit benthic species, including shrimp and catfish. Powder forms cater to hatcheries where larval mouth size demands micronized particles. Liquid feeds serve as a specialized option for broodstock conditioning and larval enrichment.

Extruded feed is the fastest-growing form at 9.6% CAGR. High-shear cooking during extrusion inactivates anti-nutritional factors and gelatinizes starch, enhancing digestibility. Modern twin-screw lines incorporate vacuum coating, enabling precise oil impregnation after thermal stress. Producers report reduced fines, improved water stability, and lower feed-conversion ratios. While energy costs initially limited adoption, newer energy-recovery systems and increasing labor expenses favor extrusion. The technology's ability to reduce nutrient leaching strengthens its position as environmental regulations become stricter.

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

By Life-Cycle Stage: Starter Feed Innovation Accelerates

Grower diets accounted for 41% of the aquafeed market revenue in 2024, as fish spend the longest period in this growth phase. Feed formulators balance protein density and cost-effective energy sources to maximize daily weight gain. Finisher feeds emphasize flesh quality factors, including lipid profile and color, which are essential for consumer acceptance. Broodstock feeds incorporate elevated n-3 fatty acids and vitamin C levels to enhance gamete quality and spawning frequency.

Starter feeds are growing at a 9.3% CAGR, reflecting the industry's understanding that early nutritional programming influences lifetime performance. Micro-diet technologies that substitute live feeds improve survival rates and uniformity while reducing hatchery labor costs. The feeds feature encapsulated micro-nutrients that prevent vitamin leaching in small water volumes. The addition of immunostimulants during this stage strengthens larval immune systems, decreasing the need for antibiotics in later stages. The development of faster-growing juveniles through genetic improvement has made precise starter-feed particle sizing and buoyancy essential, making this segment a key area for feed innovation development.

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific holds a 45% revenue share in 2024, with a projected 7.4% CAGR through 2030, maintaining its dominance in the aquafeed market. China's farmed fish production reached 58.1 million metric tons in 2023, while Indonesia achieved 14.6 million metric tons in aquaculture production in 2021. The region's integrated clusters reduce logistics costs and enable rapid adoption of new feed technologies. However, disease outbreaks and coastal environmental constraints increase biosecurity expenses. Climate changes, including marine heatwaves affecting East Asian waters, necessitate investments in deeper cages and enhanced functional feeds.

North America represents a mature market where land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) drive demand for low-dust, high-protein feeds that maintain water quality. The partnership between Green Plains and Riverence for supplying fermented protein to Idaho trout production demonstrates the market's focus on circular-economy ingredients. Regulatory requirements regarding antibiotic residues and carbon emissions encourage the implementation of AI-guided feeding systems and the use of verified ingredients. Despite higher feed costs compared to those in Asia, premium retail prices and sustainability certifications help maintain profitability for technology-focused producers.

Europe's aquaculture industry prioritizes compliance and traceability standards. Spain leads European Union production, with mussels and marine finfish valued at USD 4.14 billion (EUR 3.6 billion) in 2024. Strict antimicrobial regulations increase probiotic adoption, while organic certification requirements drive demand for non-GMO, low-fish-meal feeds. Pelagia's integrated fish-meal supply and waste treatment operations demonstrate the monetization of sustainability practices. Mediterranean heatwaves affect growth cycles and nutritional requirements, requiring feed manufacturers to modify lipid sources and antioxidant content.