Methionine Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Volume (2025) | 1.94 Million tons |
| Market Volume (2030) | 2.64 Million tons |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 6.41% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia-Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia-Pacific |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
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Methionine Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Methionine Market size is estimated at 1.94 million tons in 2025, and is expected to reach 2.64 million tons by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.41% during the forecast period (2025-2030). Demand is tracking the shift in global protein consumption toward poultry, aquaculture, and precision-fed dairy herds, while supply is being reshaped by the rapid scale-up of bio-fermentation capacity in Asia-Pacific. Investment is flowing into the region’s integrated feed-to-amino-acid clusters as producers position plants close to the world’s fastest-growing livestock inventories. On the technology front, engineered microbial pathways are narrowing the cost gap with petrochemical synthesis and offering a meaningful decarbonization lever for multinational feed and nutrition firms. Meanwhile, price volatility in methanol, hydrogen cyanide, and sulfur compounds is pushing manufacturers to diversify feedstocks and secure long-term offtake agreements.
Key Report Takeaways
- By type, powder formulations held 58.19% of the methionine market share in 2024, while liquid products show an 8.19% CAGR.
- By grade, feed-grade captured 89.14% of the market in 2024, and pharmaceutical is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.55%.
- By production technology, petrochemical processes accounted for 85.09% of the methionine market size in 2024, yet bio-fermentation is expanding at 8.88% CAGR.
- By end-user industry, animal feed retained 95.79% of the methionine market share in 2024, growing at 7.12% CAGR through 2030.
- By region, Asia-Pacific led with a 45.19% revenue share in 2024; the region posts the fastest 7.46% CAGR to 2030.
Global Methionine Market Trends and Insights
Driver Impact Analysis
| Drivers | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poultry sector demand for methionine-enriched feed | +2.1% | Global, Asia-Pacific focus | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Intensification of aquaculture | +1.3% | Asia-Pacific, North America | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Uptake of rumen-protected methionine | +1.0% | North America, Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Commercialization of low-cost fermentation | +1.8% | Global | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Increasing utilization in dietary supplements | +0.4% | North America, Europe | Long term (≥5 yrs) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Surge in Demand for Methionine-Enriched Poultry Feed
Broiler producers are reformulating diets to fine-tune amino acid profiles and offset lower crude-protein levels. Supplementing methionine lifts feed conversion ratios by 7.3% and live weights by 13.8%, with added benefits in immune competence[1]S. M. Ali and S. I. Mohamed, “Effect of Synthetic L-Lysine and DL-Methionine Amino Acids on Performance of Broiler Chickens,” waset.org. Government-led initiatives to reduce soybean meal inclusion in China further amplify methionine inclusion rates, anchoring regional consumption growth.
Rapid Expansion of Intensive Aquaculture
As fish-meal usage declines, plant-based and single-cell proteins dominate new feed blends yet lack inherent methionine. Supplementation maintains growth and feed efficiency across carp, tilapia, and shrimp species, particularly in Asia-Pacific’s vertically integrated aquaculture hubs. This creates a durable pull for specialized methionine formulations adjusted to aquatic digestive systems.
Adoption of Rumen-Protected Methionine
Dairy nutritionists are deploying rumen-protected molecules that bypass ruminal breakdown, driving milk yields up by 2.4 kg/day and raising protein and fat outputs in grass-silage systems. The economic logic of improving nitrogen utilization while lowering feed costs is accelerating uptake in North American and European herds.
Commercialization of Low-Cost Bio-Fermentation Routes
Engineered E. coli strains have achieved methionine titers of 21.28 g/L, validating a scalable pathway that slashes energy intensity versus petrochemical synthesis. Coupled with China’s coal-to-methanol-to-protein initiatives, the technology opens new regional supply models and underpins future capacity announcements.
Restraint Impact Analysis
| Restraints | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw material price volatility | −1.2% | Global | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Complex petrochemical manufacturing process | −0.8% | Global, higher in emerging markets | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Availability of Suitable Alternatives | -0.6% | Global, with higher impact in cost-sensitive markets | Medium term (≈3-4 yrs) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Volatility in Raw Materials Prices
Fluctuating methanol and hydrogen cyanide prices add margin pressure and discourage short-cycle capacity additions. Trade probes and potential tariffs on amino acid imports inject further uncertainty, prompting inventory adjustments that can temporarily distort supply-demand balances.
Complex Process of Manufacturing Methionine
Multi-step petrochemical routes require stringent safety and emission controls. High capital intensity and the handling of hazardous intermediates limit new entrants, although fermentation offers a route to simplify flowsheets over the longer term.
Segment Analysis
By Type: Liquid Formulations Outpace Powders
Powder products anchored 58.19% of 2024 demand, yet liquid variants post an 8.19% CAGR on the back of dust-free handling and easier integration into automated dosing lines. Liquid DL-methionine sodium salt delivers biological parity with powders, removing performance hurdles in high-throughput feed mills. As North American and European feed plants retrofit for liquid micro-additives, suppliers are rolling out stabilized formulations that cut mixing steps and reduce occupational exposure. The methionine market benefits from these process efficiencies, widening adoption in Asia-Pacific as regional millers upgrade equipment.
By Grade: Pharmaceutical Applications Accelerate
Feed grade dominates volume with a 89.14% market share, yet pharmaceutical-grade methionine is the fastest-growing slice at 8.55% CAGR. Clinical nutrition protocols require GMP-certified material for parenteral solutions and therapeutic protein synthesis. Methionine’s role in nitrogen retention for at-risk patients and in lowering homocysteine for cardiovascular care is elevating hospital demand. Food-and-beverage grade sits between feed and pharma, serving high-protein beverages where methionine maintains protein stability at elevated concentrations. The methionine industry, therefore, spans a broad purity spectrum, enabling producers to segment offerings and value-based pricing strategies.
By Production Technology: Fermentation Gains Momentum
Petrochemical synthesis still contributes 85.09% of the 2024 supply, but fermentation records an 8.88% CAGR as engineered microbes switch from trans- to direct-sulfurylation pathways, boosting yields seven-fold. Lower carbon intensity and feedstock flexibility appeal to buyers aligning with sustainability mandates. Incumbents are evaluating hybrid portfolios, blending legacy chemical assets with greenfield fermentation units to hedge cost curves and regional carbon taxes.
By End-user Industry: Animal Feed Dominance Endures
Animal feed commanded 95.79% of 2024 demand and expands at 7.12% CAGR, driven by broiler growth in emerging economies and precision formulations in developed markets. Advanced decision-support tools optimize inclusion levels to improve feed efficiency and lower nitrogen output. Pharmaceutical uses, although niche by volume, offer premium margins tied to strict regulatory oversight. Food applications in sports nutrition and functional beverages expand gradually, while minor outlets include cosmetics and agriculture. This end-use profile stabilizes the methionine market yet exposes it to shifts in livestock production trends.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific holds a 45.19% share and logs the fastest 7.46% CAGR, propelled by China’s expanding broiler output and modest feed demand uptick to 285.5 million tons in MY 2024/25[2]United States Department of Agriculture, “Grain and Feed Update: China,” apps.fas.usda.gov . Southeast Asian aquaculture clusters add another consumption layer, further anchoring methionine market growth.
North America leverages precision dairy and poultry systems, making it an early adopter of rumen-protected formats. The region favors value-added formulations that capture higher gross margins and stabilize supplier cash flows. Europe’s stringent environmental targets push producers to fine-tune amino acid ratios to curb nitrogen emissions, sustaining demand even as overall livestock numbers plateau.
South America, led by Brazil, benefits from rising poultry and shrimp exports that hinge on amino acid-balanced feeds. The Middle-East and Africa register smaller volumes but represent frontier growth as feed milling capacity catches up with rising protein appetites.
Competitive Landscape
The methionine market is highly concentrated, with Evonik Industries, Adisseo, Sumitomo Chemical, CJ CheilJedang, and Novus International, Inc., holding a major share. Chinese players accelerate capacity with state-backed financing and process intensification, gradually eroding cost advantages enjoyed by Western incumbents. Competitive differentiation is migrating from pure tonnage to holistic nutrition platforms that package methionine with analytics, software, and adjacent additives.
Methionine Industry Leaders
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Adisseo
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CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP
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Evonik Industries AG
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Novus International, Inc.
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Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- February 2025: ITOCHU Corporation (“ITOCHU”) will exclusively distribute all feed additive methionine produced at Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.'s (“Sumitomo Chemical”) Ehime Work starting April 2025. This agreement expands their existing methionine distribution partnership.
- August 2024: Evonik Industries AG expanded MetAMINO capacity in Singapore by 40,000 tons, lifting the site to 340,000 tons/year.
- January 2024: Adisseo committed USD 681.2 million to a 150,000 tons/year powder methionine facility in Fujian, China, with start-up slated for 2027.
Global Methionine Market Report Scope
Methionine is an essential amino acid, which is of great importance to human and animal bodies. It helps in the formation of many substances containing protein, along with sulfur-containing amino acids. The methionine market is segmented by type, end-user industry, and geography. By type, the market is segmented into liquid and powder. By end-user industry, the market is segmented into food and beverage, pharmaceutical, animal feed, and other end-user industries. The report also offers market size and forecasts for 15 countries across major regions. For all the above segments, market size and forecasts have been done on the basis of volume (in kilo tons).
| Powder |
| Liquid |
| Feed Grade |
| Food and Beverage Grade |
| Pharmaceutical Grade |
| Petrochemical-based Synthesis |
| Bio-based Fermentation |
| Food and Beverage |
| Pharmaceuticals |
| Animal Feed |
| Other End-user Industries |
| Asia-Pacific | China |
| India | |
| Japan | |
| South Korea | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
| North America | United States |
| Canada | |
| Mexico | |
| Europe | Germany |
| United Kingdom | |
| France | |
| Italy | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | |
| Rest of South America | |
| Middle-East and Africa | Saudi Arabia |
| South Africa | |
| Rest of Middle-East and Africa |
| By Type | Powder | |
| Liquid | ||
| By Grade | Feed Grade | |
| Food and Beverage Grade | ||
| Pharmaceutical Grade | ||
| By Production Technology | Petrochemical-based Synthesis | |
| Bio-based Fermentation | ||
| By End-user Industry | Food and Beverage | |
| Pharmaceuticals | ||
| Animal Feed | ||
| Other End-user Industries | ||
| By Geography | Asia-Pacific | China |
| India | ||
| Japan | ||
| South Korea | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| North America | United States | |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| Europe | Germany | |
| United Kingdom | ||
| France | ||
| Italy | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| South America | Brazil | |
| Argentina | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Middle-East and Africa | Saudi Arabia | |
| South Africa | ||
| Rest of Middle-East and Africa | ||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current size of the methionine market?
The methionine market totals 1.94 million tons in 2025 and is forecast to reach 2.64 million tons by 2030.
Which region leads global methionine consumption?
Asia-Pacific holds 45.19% of global demand and also records the fastest 7.46% CAGR through 2030.
Why is bio-fermentation attracting so much investment?
Engineered microbial strains now achieve titers exceeding 21 g/L, offering lower carbon footprints and improving cost competitiveness versus petrochemical synthesis.
How important is animal feed to methionine demand?
Animal feed accounts for 95.79% of total demand and continues to expand at 7.12% CAGR, driven mainly by poultry and aquaculture sectors.
What drives the shift toward liquid methionine formulations?
Liquid products reduce dust, improve mixability, and integrate well with automated dosing, which together support their 8.19% CAGR from 2025 to 2030.
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