AquaFeed Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Mash Feed, Pellet Feed, Expanded Feed, Other), By Application (Fish Feed, Shrimp Feed, Crab Feed, Other), and Regional Insights and Forecast to 2034

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AQUAFEED MARKET OVERVIEW

The global AquaFeed market size was USD 38.85 billion in 2025 and is projected to touch USD 72.18 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period.

The aquafeed market includes the manufacturing and selling of aquatic species formulated feeds that are used in the aquaculture system including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. It is very important in supporting the development, well-being, and nutritional requirements of aquatic organisms that are farmed. The growing world population in the consumption of seafood and growth in the fish farming industry is creating a demand on high-quality and sustainable feed formulae. Such feeds are generally comprised of foodstuffs like fishmeal, soybean meal, corn, wheat, and special additives to increase digestibility and immunity. The industry is changing due to the continuous innovations in the composition of feeds that include the use of plant-based proteins and insect meal. Also the aquafeed producers are concentrating on achieving nutrient efficiency, and reduction of environmental impact using precision nutrition technologies. Growing investments in aquaculture facilities as well as increasing consumer awareness regarding the need to consume sustainable seafood further encourages the expansion of the market.

COVID-19 IMPACT

AquaFeed Industry Had a Negative Effect Due to Disrupting International Deliver Chains

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The COVID-19 epidemic has affected the AquaFeed market growth due to serious limitations on the supply chain, logistics, and decreased demand among aquaculture producers. The limitations on transportation and border closures caused a lack of raw materials such as fishmeal, soy protein, and necessary additives to produce. Lockdowns also led to a reduction in the consumption of seafood and, consequently, this decreased the output of aquaculture and, consequently, lowered the feed demand. Most aquafeed producers were forced to close down temporarily and lacked labor which led to late supplies of feed and losses. Also, the volatility in prices of the raw materials also put a limit on the profitability of feed producers. The trade restrictions caused massive upheavals to the export-dependent markets in the form of feed manufacturers and aquaculture farmers. Although there were signs of recovery in the sector after the pandemic, the crisis highlighted the importance of localized sourcing, digitalization of supply chains, and robust logistics networks as ways of ensuring availability of feeds in the future in the face of global uncertainties.

LATEST TRENDS

Movement Towards Sustainable and function-based Aquafeeds Enhancing Energy Efficiency

One of the most evident tendencies in the aquafeed market is the shift to the sustainable and useful feed formulations. As the issue of over-fishing and environmental degradation continues to rise, producers are considering other options other than fish as sources of proteins like insect meal, algae, single-cell proteins, and plant-based materials. All these green alternatives lessen the use of fishmeal and fish oil and do not affect the nutritional value. More so, functional feeds, which improve immunity, growth, and resistance to stress, are becoming popular. Such formulations may contain probiotics, prebiotics, natural antioxidants to improve the health of the fish and minimise the use of antibiotics. It is also incorporating technological advancements such as in precision feeding, digital monitoring and nutrient modeling to ensure optimal use of feed and reduced waste. The government and certification authorities are promoting sustainable production of aquafeed using the standards of eco-friendliness. As a whole, this has been a trend that is transforming the industry as it promotes a balance between environmental good stewardship and profitability and future sustainability of aquaculture.

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AQUAFEED MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on Type, the global market can be categorized into ‎ Mash feed, pellet feed, expanded feed, other

• Mash Feed: Mash feed consists of finely ground ingredients mixed uniformly. It is commonly used for young aquatic species due to its easy digestibility and balanced nutrient composition.

• Pellet Feed: Pellet feed is compacted into small cylindrical shapes, ensuring uniform consumption, minimal waste, and enhanced nutrient retention, making it ideal for various aquaculture species at different growth stages.

• Expanded Feed: Expanded feed is processed under high temperature and pressure, improving digestibility, water stability, and nutrient absorption while reducing feed wastage in intensive aquaculture systems.

• Other: This category includes floating and extruded feeds that cater to specific aquatic species’ needs, promoting better feeding efficiency and supporting sustainable aquaculture management practices.

By Application

Based on application, the global market can be categorized Fish feed, shrimp feed, crab feed, other.

• Fish Feed: Formulated to support the growth, health, and color enhancement of freshwater and marine fish species, fish feed ensures optimal performance and immune resistance.

• Shrimp Feed: Specially developed to meet shrimp nutritional requirements, this feed includes proteins, lipids, and vitamins that enhance growth rates, disease resistance, and water quality maintenance.

• Crab Feed: Crab feed is designed for crustaceans, focusing on shell hardening, molting success, and rapid growth through mineral-rich and balanced nutrient formulations.

• Other: Includes feed for mollusks and ornamental aquatic species, providing customized nutrition to improve overall survival rates and aquaculture productivity.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.

Driving Factor

Increasing Demand on the Aquaculture Products Drives the Growth

Aquaculture is being driven by the increasing global demand of seafood fuels by population growth and the increasing demand of protein foods. With the reduction of the wild fish stocks, aquaculture has taken over the major source of seafood hence the requirement of nutritionally balanced aquafeeds. The manufacturers of food are also advancing in order to cater to the various food needs of different aquatic animals. This high demand stimulates the manufacturing of quality, efficient and economical feeds supporting the best growth and sustenance in aquaculture systems.

Technological Advancements in Feed Formulation Drives the Market

The constant improvement in feed processing and formulation technology is substantially improving the quality and efficiency of aquafeed. Bio-based ingredient, precision nutrition, and enzyme technology enhance nutrient absorption and reduce waste. The higher extrusion methods enable production of species-specific feeds that are more stable and digestible. Feed optimization and real-time monitoring digital tools allow farmers to reduce costs, and maximize their productivity and, therefore, lead to the overall growth and competitiveness of the aquafeed market.

Restraining Factor

High Cost of Quality Feed Ingredients Restrains the Market Growth

The high price of the quality feed materials like fishmeal, fish oil and special additives is one of the greatest limitations to the aquafeed market. These nutrients are critical in the delivery of the required protein, fatty acids, and micro nutrients that are needed to achieve optimal aquatic growth. Nevertheless, they are priced highly and prone to the volatility of prices due to their limited supply and reliance on wild-caught. The small and medium size aquaculture producers are the ones who are burdened with this cost and they find it difficult to embrace high-quality feeds. Besides, the variations in the global commodity prices of soy, corn and wheat also increase the production expenses. Most manufacturers of feed products are not able to find the balance between affordability and nutritional content, especially in the developing world. Though other proteins such as insect meal are possible solutions, they have not been widely adopted on a large scale because of technology and regulatory issues hence limiting the expansion and profitability of the broader market.

Expansion of Sustainable Aquaculture Practices Helps in Market Expansion

Opportunity

The growing international interest in sustainable aquaculture presents enormous prospects to the aquafeed business. The governments, research agencies, and environmental agencies are also popularizing eco-friendly fish farming methods that have less ecological footprint. This trend is necessitating the need to seek feeds that minimize nutrient wastes, enhance the ratio of feed to feed ratios and use renewable feedstuffs. The companies that have invested in developing environmentally sustainable and traceable feed solutions are in a good position to enjoy this shift. Furthermore, the demand of consumers towards sustainably farm products is increasing, and manufacturers of aquaculture products are concentrating on certified sustainable feeds.

Circular economy models like using fish waste to create feed are another type of innovations that improve market appeal, as well as labeling carbon footprint. Sustainable growth is also being aided by the strategic partnerships between feed manufacturers and the aquaculture farms. This increasing trend to green aquaculture is opening new business opportunities to the feed producers in the quest to achieve long term competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

Managing Nutritional Efficiency and Environmental Impact Pose Challenge to the Market

Challenge

One key issue with the aquafeed market is that it is difficult to balance nutritional efficiency and environmental sustainability. Although aquafeeds play a critical role in the productivity of aquaculture, the over-discharge of nutrients in the feed and excreta of fish may cause water pollution and degradation of the ecosystem. It takes high-level nutritional science and accurate feeding systems to maintain the maximum ratios in feeds and reduce waste. Also, new formulation issues, such as the issue of the digestibility and amino acid ratios, arise due to the move towards alternative proteins (plant or insect-based meals, etc.). Production is further complicated by the regulatory pressure on emissions and feed traceability.

The small scale farmers are usually deprived of the use of advanced feeding technologies thereby resulting to inefficiencies and wastage of resources. To overcome this, there is a need to have combined measures, such as enhanced feed management, data-driven aquaculture, and industry-wide cooperation on sustainability efforts. It is important to overcome these challenges successfully and enable the responsible expansion of the aquaculture and guarantee the long-term ecological balance.

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AQUAFEED MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• North America

The AquaFeed market share in North America is on a steady growth which is facilitated by technology innovation and keen interest in sustainable practices of aquaculture. The area focuses on feed formulations of high quality with added vitamins, probiotics, and sustainable proteins. Feed consumption is being driven by government programs that encourage responsible aquaculture and by the growing demand of high value fish such as salmon and trout. The United States AquaFeed market, specifically, is one of the primary contributors of the growth of the region, as it has developed a strong infrastructure of aquaculture, has invested in research and development and is very strict in standards of feed quality. The American feed manufacturers are switching towards more environmentally friendly and efficient formulations that are more accurate in order to save on waste and enhance efficiency. There is also an increase in the demand of aquafeed in Canada and Mexico that has been facilitated by the growing fish farming activities. The emphasis on the certification of sustainable seafood and the digitalization of the management of aquaculture also supports its leadership in the area of taking innovative feed solutions that would guarantee both the productivity and complies with the environmental standards.

• Asia

The aquafeed market is dominated by Asia, which has been spearheaded by heavy production of aquaculture in China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. The area has a rich source of natural resources, a pleasant climate, and massive fish cultivation processes. The booming demand of aquafeed is attributed to rapid urbanization, population growth and rising consumption of seafood. China is the top producer and consumer of aquaculture and it is enabled by the production and consumption trends that are aided by innovation in technology and government policies that promote sustainable aquaculture. The developing shrimp sector is another major cause in India, and manufacturers of food invest in species-specific feed. But, there are some challenges that are faced by the region including the change in price of raw materials and the environmental issues. To overcome these, businesses are placing emphasis on regionally obtained ingredients and biosecure feed products. Efficiency is also being increased by increased awareness of quality standards and the introduction of digital feed management systems. The aquafeed market in Asia is dynamic and has kept growing, making the region a key player in influencing the global market of aquaculture and the aquafeed industry.

• Europe

Europe is a developed and extremely controlled aquafeed market whose main focus is on sustainability, traceability, and innovativeness. The robust aquaculture industry in the region especially the United Kingdom, Norway and Spain boosts the stable demand of feed. The first feed producers to create green formulations using alternative protein sources such as algae, insect meal, and single-cell proteins as an animal protein replacement of fishmeal are European feed producers. The standards of feed formulation are further enforced by stringent environmental legislation and awareness on sustainable production of seafood among consumers. Developed technology related to the area of accuracy in feeding, and the intensive government expenditure on research and development, is driving the implementation of innovative nutrition. Norway has stayed ahead of other countries in the manufacture of salmon feed as the other countries are concentrating on the diversification of species. The focus of the region on circular economy concepts and lower carbon emissions are in line with its wider sustainability goals, and Europe would be the first example of responsible aquafeed preparation and eco-innovation on the global aquaculture practice.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Industry Players Shaping the Market Through Innovation and Market Expansion

The major aquafeed producers are also entering into strategic alliances and partnerships in order to consolidate their positions and raise innovation levels. Such partnerships frequently entail collaborative venture with aquaculture farms, biotechnology companies and ingredient providers to come up with sustainable and economical feed production. Firms are merging the knowledge on nutrition science and feed formulation to introduce the advanced products to enhance fish health and growth performance. Alliances also facilitate penetration into new markets and joint resource in terms of research and development. As an example, there are alliances between feed manufacturers and marine biotechnology companies that are hastening the adoption of alternative proteins such as algae and insect meal. There are also partnerships with digital solution providers to promote accuracy in practices of aquaculture. These forms of cooperation do not only help in increasing the product portfolio, but also help in bolstering brand credibility in a very competitive market. The development of the next-generation aquafeed systems is being fueled by collaborative innovation as key players are gaining a sustainable advantage.

List Of Top Aquafeed Companies

• Nutreco – (Netherlands)
• Haid Group – (China)
• Tongwei Group – (China)
• BioMar – (Denmark)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

November 2024:  An industrial development shifts in the AquaFeed market is the increased adaptation of insect-protein production to the standard feed production sector. Various companies have developed large-scale plants that aim at making insect meal of such insects as black soldier fly larvae. This is a sustainable substitute protein that helps to greatly eliminate the use of fishmeal and provides an ideal amino acid balance that can be used in different aquaculture species. The collaboration of insect protein food manufacturers with large feed corporations has resulted in the commercialisation of environmentally friendly feed recipes that do not sacrifice nutritional quality at the expense of the environment. Scalability is additionally being increased by technological improvements in rearing, processing and nutrient optimization of insects. In addition governments and regulatory bodies in Europe and Asia are authorizing the use of insect-based ingredients in aquafeed, which facilitates their use. This technological change should serve as a significant step towards sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and innovation and frame insect meal as a central ingredient in the aquaculture nutrition of the future.

REPORT COVERAGE

The aquafeed is a dynamic market, which is compelled by the increasing demand of seafood, sustainability, and technological developments. The demands of effective and environmentally-friendly feeds are increasingly growing as aquaculture is adopted as a main food production system in the global world. To improve growth performance and fish health, manufacturers are targeting sustainable ingredients, digitalization, and functional formulations of feeds. The challenges faced by the industry including high costs of ingredients, environmental issues are being overcome by the industry striding towards ecological footprints reduction and profit maximization. Innovation and growth are being gained in regional markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. The competition is being transformed by strategic partnerships, investment in R&D, and alternative sources of proteins. In the future, the aquafeed market will continue to assume a key role in the context of guaranteeing food security, sustainable aquaculture, and global yet responsible marine resource management and economic development in the blue economy.