| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 1.30 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 1.5 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 3.90 % |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
South America Feed Antibiotics Market Analysis
The South America Feed Antibiotics Market size is estimated at USD 1.30 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 1.5 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The South American feed antibiotics market is driven by several key factors, including industrialization, rising animal disease incidence, meat market growth, and demographic shifts. Feed antibiotics in livestock production serve dual purposes: improving feed efficiency rates and managing animal health through prevention and treatment of diseases. The primary antibiotics used in livestock production include tetracyclines, penicillins, sulfonamides, and macrolides. Following various disease outbreaks, increased concerns about livestock meat quality and safety have led producers throughout the supply chain to emphasize improved animal feed quality. Governments across South America have prioritized food safety measures. The intensive farming conditions, which often result in compromised animal immunity and suboptimal sanitation, have necessitated antibiotic use. The combination of increased awareness among livestock and meat producers, along with growing demand for animal nutrition, continues to drive the regional feed antibiotics market growth.
According to a 2023 National Library of Medicine report, animal proteins constituted approximately 70% of total daily protein intake in Argentina and Venezuela, while accounting for less than 60% in Peru, Chile, and Costa Rica. Brazil and Venezuela demonstrated the highest protein consumption among individuals with higher education levels. Protein intake increased proportionally with socioeconomic status. The distribution of animal and plant-based protein consumption reflected each country's food availability patterns. The United States Department of Agriculture reported that in 2023, Brazil led Latin America and the Caribbean in beef and veal consumption, reaching 7.62 million metric tons carcass weight equivalent (CWE). Argentina followed with 2.21 million metric tons of CWE. The increasing consumption of animal proteins through eggs, milk, and meat is anticipated to drive growth in the South American feed antibiotics market during the forecast period.
South American farmers use antibiotics to treat infected animals and prevent disease spread within their herds, particularly in intensive farming systems where animals are kept in close proximity. During disease outbreaks, antibiotics serve both therapeutic and preventive purposes, protecting healthy animals from infection. This prophylactic use significantly increases antibiotic demand. In February 2023, Argentina reported its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) in a wild goose near the Bolivia-Chile border. While Peru and Chile experienced extensive mortality among seabirds and marine mammals, Argentina's HPAI H5N1 outbreaks primarily affected backyard and industrial poultry, with 94 outbreaks resulting in the death or disposal of 2.2 million birds. The potential economic losses from livestock disease drive farmers to increase antibiotic usage to protect animal health and productivity, contributing to market growth.
South America Feed Antibiotics Market Trends
Increasing Livestock Population Drives the Demand for Feed Antibiotics
As dietary patterns evolve, South America has ramped up livestock production to cater to its populations, especially in developing markets. While the continent's livestock sector is becoming increasingly industrialized, many farmers in nations like Brazil and Argentina remain small and marginal. The Food and Agriculture Organization highlights that the global cattle population stands at 1.5 billion, with South America playing a pivotal role. In 2023, South America boasted a bovine population of 387 million, representing 25% of the global cattle inventory. Additionally, South America contributed 24% of the world's beef production, churning out 17.4 million metric tons of the total 69.3 million tons. With the global population reaching 8 billion in 2023, South America accounted for 440 million, or 5.5% of that figure.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, Brazil maintained the largest cattle herd in South America in 2023, with 238.6 million head of cattle. Argentina followed with 54.2 million head of cattle, supported by its established ranching tradition. Colombia's cattle population reached 29.2 million head, serving both domestic and export markets. Uruguay managed 11.8 million head of cattle and exported 80% of its meat production in 2023, emphasizing quality and traceability. The growth in livestock production across these countries increased the use of feed antibiotics to maintain animal health and prevent disease outbreaks, driving the regional demand for these products.
The rising consumption of meat products led to increased livestock production. According to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Meat and Derivatives of the Argentina Republic (CICCRA), Argentina's per capita beef consumption reached 42.6 kg in 2023, while poultry consumption stood at 50 kg per capita. The Food and Agriculture Organization reported that South America's poultry population grew from 2,783,758 heads in 2022 to 2,785,679 heads in 2023. To meet this growing demand, meat and milk producers are increasing their supply through enhanced productivity, with feed antibiotics serving as one method to improve meat quality and milk production.
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Brazil Leads the Market
Changes in Brazilian consumption habits, driven by economic factors, evolving lifestyles, and shifting dietary preferences, have led to increased animal protein consumption. While most Brazilians maintain an omnivorous diet, there is growing awareness of health, animal welfare, and environmental concerns. National survey data indicates that 30% of food expenditures are allocated to animal-based products, while only 13% goes toward fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, and oilseeds. Millennials and Generation Z demonstrate the highest adoption of plant-based dietary choices. Among flexitarians, health considerations are the primary motivation for dietary modifications. Though Brazilian consumers generally view livestock production as sustainable, younger generations increasingly express ethical concerns about the industry.
Despite increasing concerns about antimicrobial resistance in humans due to antibiotic use in livestock, global meat consumption continues to rise annually. According to the Organisation for Economic Coordination and Development (OECD), poultry meat has the highest per capita consumption in the region. In 2023, the per capita consumption of poultry increased to 29.2 kilograms from 28.8 kilograms in 2022. In Brazil, poultry meat consumption per capita is projected to increase by 1.3 kilograms (+4.2 percent) from 2023 to 2031, reaching an estimated 31.3 kilograms per capita by 2033. Antibiotics in livestock are primarily used for disease treatment and prevention.
Feed antibiotics are widely used in Brazil's poultry and swine industries to enhance growth rates and improve feed conversion efficiency, leading to increased productivity and profitability for farmers. These antibiotics also serve as preventive measures against bacterial infections in livestock and poultry, especially in intensive farming operations where animals are kept in close quarters. In July 2024, Brazil's agriculture ministry declared an animal health emergency in Rio Grande do Sul following a Newcastle disease outbreak on a poultry farm, which resulted in the death of 7,000 birds, half of the farm's flock. The Brazilian livestock sector's significant dependence on antibiotics for disease control indicates a likely increase in antibiotic demand, despite existing regulatory restrictions on their usage.
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South America Feed Antibiotics Industry Overview
The feed antibiotics market in South America is consolidated with a few global players leading the market with a highly diversified product portfolio and several acquisitions and agreements taking place to gain a major share in the industry. Some of the major players in the industry include Bayer HealthCare AG, Elanco Animal Health Inc., Huvepharma, Zomedica Inc., and Phibro Animal Health Corporation are some of the major players who are operating in the region. The companies are not only competing based on product quality or product promotion but are also focused on other strategic moves, like acquisitions and expansions, to acquire a larger share and expand their acquired market size.
South America Feed Antibiotics Market Leaders
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Bayer Healthcare AG
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Elanco Animal Health Inc.
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Zomedica Inc.
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Phibro Animal Health Corporation
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Huvepharma
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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South America Feed Antibiotics Market News
- April 2024: Phibro Animal Health acquired Zoetis' portfolio of medicated feed additive (MFA) products, water-soluble products, and related assets for USD 350 million. The agreement aligns with Zoetis' capital allocation strategy, enabling the company to focus its investments on animal health solutions, including vaccines, biologics, and genetic programs for livestock.
- October 2022: Huvepharma reintroduced PoultrySulfa (sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, and sulfaquinoxaline), the only FDA-approved triple-sulfa veterinary product in the animal health market. PoultrySulfa, a water-soluble antibiotic powder, aids in controlling coccidiosis and acute fowl cholera in chickens and turkeys when these conditions are caused by pathogens susceptible to sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, and sulfaquinoxaline.
South America Feed Antibiotics Industry Segmentation
Antibiotics are chemotherapeutic agents used for the clinical management of infectious diseases in animals. Antibiotics added to the feed also ensure more efficient conversion of feed to animal products and improvement. They also prevent disease spread among animal lots, which is most important to avoid the spread of the disease. The South America feed antibiotics market is segmented by Type (Tetracyclines, Penicillins, Sulfonamides, Macrolides, Aminoglycosides, Cephalosporins, and Other Types), Animal Type (Ruminant, Poultry, Swine, Aquaculture, and Other Animal Types), and Geography (Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America). The report offers market estimation and forecasts in value (USD) for all the above segments.
| Type | Tetracyclines |
| Penicillins | |
| Sulfonamides | |
| Macrolides | |
| Aminoglycosides | |
| Cephalosporins | |
| Other Types | |
| Animal Type | Ruminant |
| Poultry | |
| Swine | |
| Aquaculture | |
| Other Animal Types | |
| Geography | Argentina |
| Brazil | |
| Rest of South America |
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South America Feed Antibiotics Market Research FAQs
How big is the South America Feed Antibiotics Market?
The South America Feed Antibiotics Market size is expected to reach USD 1.30 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 3.9% to reach USD 1.5 billion by 2030.
What is the current South America Feed Antibiotics Market size?
In 2025, the South America Feed Antibiotics Market size is expected to reach USD 1.30 billion.
Who are the key players in South America Feed Antibiotics Market?
Bayer Healthcare AG, Elanco Animal Health Inc., Zomedica Inc., Phibro Animal Health Corporation and Huvepharma are the major companies operating in the South America Feed Antibiotics Market.
What years does this South America Feed Antibiotics Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the South America Feed Antibiotics Market size was estimated at USD 1.25 billion. The report covers the South America Feed Antibiotics Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the South America Feed Antibiotics Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
