Vietnam Aquaculture Feed Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031)

Vietnam Aquaculture Feed Market Trends and Insights

Robust Expansion of Domestic Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Facilities

The rapid expansion of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in Vietnam is significantly improving production efficiency and biosecurity in high-value species farming. RAS facilitates controlled water quality, reduces disease outbreaks, and enhances stocking density, particularly in shrimp and pangasius farming. For instance, intensive shrimp farms in the Mekong Delta are increasingly adopting RAS technology to minimize water exchange and mitigate disease risks such as Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS). This technology-driven approach supports higher output per hectare and stabilizes year-round production, directly contributing to overall aquaculture growth.

Mainstream Growth of Functional Feeds

The growing adoption of functional feeds fortified with probiotics, enzymes, and immunostimulants is improving feed conversion ratios and survival rates in shrimp and fish farming. As disease management becomes increasingly critical, farmers are transitioning from traditional feed to specialized formulations that enhance gut health and immunity. For instance, shrimp farms in Soc Trang and Bac Lieu provinces are using probiotic-enhanced feeds to reduce reliance on antibiotics while maintaining export-grade quality. This shift increases feed value per metric ton and enhances farm productivity, thereby driving sectoral growth. GreenFeed secured Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification in October 2025 for its probiotic shrimp diet, delivering improved feed conversion and cost savings for farmers^{[1]Source: General Statistics Office of Vietnam, “Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Statistics,” gso.gov.vn}. 

Rising Consumer Demand for Antibiotic-Free Seafood

Rising demand from export markets such as the European Union, North America, and Japan for antibiotic-free and traceable seafood is prompting Vietnamese producers to upgrade farming practices. Compliance with international standards, such as Best Aquacultural Practices (BAP) certifications, is encouraging investments in improved water management, feed quality, and traceability systems. For instance, pangasius exporters in the Mekong Delta are increasingly adopting antibiotic-free production protocols to maintain access to premium markets. This export-driven compliance enhances Vietnam’s global competitiveness and fosters value-added growth in aquaculture.

Integration of AI-Driven Precision-Feeding Platforms

The adoption of AI-based feeding systems and smart monitoring platforms is optimizing feed utilization and reducing waste. These technologies leverage sensors and real-time data analytics to adjust feed distribution based on shrimp or fish behavior and environmental conditions. For instance, large-scale shrimp farms are implementing automated feeders that monitor consumption patterns, reducing feed wastage, improving feed conversion ratios, and lowering production costs. This technological integration boosts operational efficiency and profitability, supporting sustainable market growth. These digital tools cut input costs, elevate water quality, and will increasingly differentiate suppliers in the Vietnam aquaculture feed market. 

Volatile Fish-Meal and Fish-Oil Prices

Vietnam relies heavily on imported fishmeal and fish oil for aquafeed production, making the industry susceptible to global price fluctuations. Increases in global fishmeal prices, often driven by supply constraints in Peru, directly raise feed production costs. This impacts shrimp farmers, leading to margin compression. As a result, some small-scale operators are compelled to reduce stocking densities or delay production cycles. The export price of fish oil from Vietnam has fluctuated significantly over the past two years. In 2024, prices ranged from 0.83 USD per kg to 2.96 USD per kg. In 2025, prices continued to vary, ranging from 0.97 USD per kg to 2.48 USD per kg^{[2]Source: Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries, “Aquaculture Feed Price Monitoring Report 2025,” tongcucthuysan.gov.vn}.

Stringent Effluent-Discharge Rules

In February 2026, stricter environmental regulations introduced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have increased compliance costs for aquaculture farms. Farmers are required to invest in wastewater treatment systems and sedimentation ponds to meet discharge standards, particularly in the Mekong Delta. For instance, shrimp farms adopting high-density production must allocate additional capital to effluent management infrastructure, resulting in higher upfront investment costs. While these regulations are environmentally beneficial, they have slowed expansion among small and medium-scale farmers.

*Our forecasts treat driver/restraint impacts as directional, not additive. The impact forecasts reflect baseline growth, mix effects, and variable interactions.

Segment Analysis

By Feed Type: Extruded Diets Dominate as Micro Feeds Surge

Extruded diets were the largest segment, accounting for 42.0% of the Vietnam aquaculture feed market share in 2025, reflecting their buoyancy advantage, which reduces waste and improves feed conversion. Pelleted diets held a significant share yet are losing ground to extruded formats as intensive shrimp farmers shift toward higher efficiency. Pelleted manufacturers are retrofitting steam conditioners to raise pellet durability, but their inherent density mismatch with shrimp feeding habits restricts uptake. 

Micro feeds are the fastest-growing segment, advancing at a 11.5% CAGR through 2031, as hatcheries invest in controlled-release technology to drive gains in larval survival. Moist feeds remain a niche for eel and ornamental species because their short shelf life increases labor costs and limits their commercial potential in the Vietnamese aquaculture feed market. Thang Long Group inaugurated a new feed mill in Hai Duong province in May 2024, increasing its annual capacity to 700,000 metric tons. The facility focuses on producing extruded shrimp diets to target the premium segment and enhance profit margins^{[3]Source: Thang Long Group, “New Feed Mill in Hai Duong Province,” thanglongfeed.com}.

By Ingredient Source: Marine Proteins Face Substitution Pressure

Fish meal and fish oil were the largest segment, commanding 38.0% of the Vietnam aquaculture feed market in 2025, owing to stable local supply and cost parity, though anti-nutritional factors cap inclusion rates in high-value shrimp diets. Fish oil continues to be a critical source of highly unsaturated fatty acids in marine finfish diets, although enzyme supplementation allows for partial replacement. Animal by-products, such as poultry meal, are commonly used in cost-effective pangasius feed formulations but are subject to increasing traceability requirements from export buyers. Government incentives are driving the domestic production of alternative proteins, enabling feed mills to mitigate risks associated with global commodity price fluctuations.

Algal and alternative proteins are the fastest-growing segment, projected to grow at a 14.2% CAGR to 2031. Plant proteins, primarily soy and wheat gluten, were the second-largest segment, driven by stable local supply and cost parity, though anti-nutritional factors cap inclusion rates in high-value shrimp diets. Algal proteins, sourced from Spirulina and Chlorella, provide omega-3 fatty acids without the risk of heavy-metal contamination associated with fish oil, making them a reliable alternative to mitigate marine-ingredient volatility. Regulatory uncertainties and limited farmer confidence continue to pose challenges. 

By Species: Shrimp Feeds Lead While Tilapia Accelerates

White-leg shrimp were the largest segment, holding 46.5% of the Vietnam aquaculture feed market size in 2025, mirroring Vietnam’s third-place global rank in shrimp exports. White-leg shrimp production is growing, driven by the adoption of intensive farming practices, premium export pricing, and technological advancements, such as Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and precision feeding, which require specialized, high-performance feeds.

Tilapia is the fastest-growing segment, forecast to expand at a 10.9% CAGR through 2031, as cage systems expand across Northern reservoirs. Giant tiger prawn diets grow slowly because of longer culture cycles and higher disease risk. The rapid growth of tilapia production is drawing investment from multinational feed suppliers. For instance, in 2023, Aller Aqua Vietnam has developed a floating extruded feed specifically designed for cage systems, which minimizes feed waste compared to sinking pellets. Carp and catfish, traditional freshwater species, constitute a substantial portion of feed consumption. This is primarily concentrated in the Northern Midlands and Mountains region, where smallholder polyculture systems are prevalent. Other species, such as eel, grouper, and ornamental fish, occupy niche segments characterized by specialized nutritional needs and premium pricing.

Geography Analysis

Mekong Delta provinces, including Can Tho, Soc Trang, and Ca Mau, contribute over half of Vietnam's aquaculture production, driving regional feed consumption and manufacturing. Companies such as De Heus, Skretting, and CP Foods strategically position their mills near these areas to reduce freight costs and ensure timely deliveries. Additionally, Southeast coastal provinces support marine-cage culture, which increases demand for oil-rich extruded pellets, further boosting growth in feed consumption.

The geographic distribution of aquaculture activities results in varied patterns of feed demand. The Mekong Delta requires significant quantities of cost-effective pelleted feeds for pangasius and extensive shrimp farming systems. In contrast, coastal regions demand high-quality extruded feeds for intensive marine aquaculture. Central provinces, such as Nghe An and Dong Nai, have implemented updated aquaculture regulations that influence feed usage and traceability. These regulations include specific procedures for disease reporting and environmental compliance, which impact feed distribution and emergency response strategies.

While regional concentration offers economies of scale, it also increases vulnerability to flooding and disease outbreaks. As a result, manufacturers prioritize contingency stockpiles and diversified transport routes to mitigate risks. This geographic concentration provides competitive advantages for integrated operations that combine feed production, farming, and processing within regional clusters. However, it also exposes supply chains to disruptions caused by extreme weather events or disease outbreaks affecting multiple provinces simultaneously.

Regulatory Landscape

Vietnam's aquaculture feed regulation is anchored in Law No. 32/2018/QH14 on Animal Husbandry, with implementation via decrees, circulars, and national technical regulations that cover production, quality, labeling, and import controls. In November 2025, QCVN 93:2025/BNNMT (Part 1: compound aquaculture feed) updated safety indicator limits (including aflatoxin B1, heavy metals, and microbiological parameters), increasing the testing and documentation burden for compound-feed manufacturers and importers supplying shrimp and pangasius hubs.

In January 2026, Decree No. 32/2026/ND-CP took effect, amending conditions for the production and import of animal feeds and veterinary drugs and tightening compliance checkpoints for market entry. Oversight also strengthened around feed-related pharmaceutical use through Circular No. 15/2026/TT-BNNMT (March 2026), alongside continued requirements for conformity assessment and batch testing under Decree 39/2017/ND-CP and related guidance. The net effect is a higher premium placed on traceable raw materials, validated QC systems, and audit-ready product dossiers across domestic mills and imported specialty inputs.

Market Opportunities and Future Outlook

Opportunities are concentrated in compliance-led premiumization and service bundling as Vietnam tightens technical and digital controls over aquafeed. Circular No. 16/2026/TT-BNNMT (March 2026) updates management of aquatic breeds and aquafeed, including mandatory producer and importer accounts in the national database, which raises the value of standardized product documentation, batch traceability, and digitally enabled customer support. This shift creates room for suppliers that can package feed with data capture, farm-level advisory, and verified safety performance aligned with QCVN 93:2025/BNNMT requirements.

Commercial activity in 2026 also points to demand for integrated solutions and sustainability-aligned formulations. Skretting Vietnam launched the Jade+ shrimp nutrition solution in Ben Tre in April 2026, reflecting a move from standalone diets to packages that connect nutrition with performance monitoring and farm management. In January 2026, De Heus and Minh Phu Seafood Corporation agreed to cooperate on a sustainable shrimp value chain, including technology transfer and scaling super-intensive systems (RAS-IMTA) in Ca Mau, supporting demand for functional feeds, micro feeds for hatchery stages, and alternative proteins that reduce exposure to volatile marine-ingredient pricing.