PUBLISHER: MarketsandMarkets | PRODUCT CODE: 1554601
PUBLISHER: MarketsandMarkets | PRODUCT CODE: 1554601
The global aquafeed market is estimated to be valued at USD 59.0 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 84.2 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 7.4%.
Scope of the Report | |
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Years Considered for the Study | 2024-2029 |
Base Year | 2023 |
Forecast Period | 2024-2029 |
Units Considered | Value (USD), Volume (KT) |
Segments | By Ingredient, Source, Species, Function, Lifecycle, Form, and Region |
Regions covered | North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, and RoW |
Due to the ever-growing global population, there is an increase in demand for food & beverage products, where seafood also holds a significant position, which drives the need for more efficient aquaculture practices and higher-quality feeds for aquatic animals. According to the FDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, healthy adults are advised to consume 8 to 10 ounces of fish per week as part of a balanced diet. The quality of aquafeed directly impacts the nutritional value of the seafood produced. As fish consumption increases, aquaculture farms require more feed to support the growing number of farmed fish. This drives up the demand for aquafeed, which provides the necessary nutrients for fish growth, health, and optimal production.
Moreover, recent technological advancements are revolutionizing the aquafeed industry, driving efficiency, sustainability, and productivity to new heights. Technologies such as precision nutrition, IoT sensors, among others, are being explored to create feeds tailored to the specific nutritional needs of various species, enhancing growth and health outcomes. In response to growing demand, leading firms are adopting innovations such as precision feeding systems, automated feeding robots, and advanced feed formulations to optimize their operations. A notable example is BioMar Group's (Denmark) acquisition of AQ1 Systems in April 2022, which creates synergies between farming technologies and feed solutions. AQ1's SF200 Sound Feeding System, a key product, uses acoustic and optical sensing technology to determine the precise amount of feed needed by fish, minimizing waste, enhancing growth performance, and improving the quality of the final product. These innovations enable the sector to position itself as a crucial player in the future of sustainable aquaculture.
"Disruptions in Aquafeed Market."
Aquafeeds are critical in aquaculture, which is expected to supply a significant portion of future aquatic feed needs. Sustainability is a key concern. As demand for more high-trophic species like salmon increases, there is a push to make aquafeeds more sustainable to minimize environmental impacts. Innovations in aquafeed formulations aim to improve feed conversion ratios, reduce waste, and support the health and growth of farmed aquatic species.
The push for sustainable aquafeeds is significant, with many companies and research institutions focusing on improving feed efficiency and reducing the environmental footprint. For example, feed conversion ratios (FCRs) have improved over the years, with modern feeds requiring less input to achieve the same growth outcomes in farmed fish.
"Soybean is expected to have a significant share in ingredients segment throughout the forecast period."
Soybean is expected to dominate the ingredients segment throughout the forecast period due to its status as a rich source of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and vital vitamins and minerals, making it suitable for formulating balanced and nutritious aquafeed. Soybean meal is commonly used in feeds for species such as salmon and tilapia to enhance feed efficiency and growth performance.
The dominance of soybean meal in the aquafeed industry is largely attributed to its cost-effectiveness. While fishmeal has traditionally been a primary protein source in aquafeeds, its price is highly variable, and supply is limited due to overfishing and resource constraints. In contrast, soybean meal offers both price stability and a lower cost, making it an attractive alternative. Thus, with the replacement of fishmeal with soybean meal, feed costs are significantly reduced without compromising nutritional quality. This economic advantage is particularly crucial in large-scale aquaculture practices, where feed expenses constitute a substantial portion of overall production costs. Due to its superiority in both economics and nutrition, soybean meal is anticipated to dominate the market and maintain its position as a key ingredient in the aquafeed sector.
"Amino Acids by additive application is the dominant segment in the aquafeed market."
Amino acids, the fundamental building blocks of proteins, are crucial for the development of marine animals. When added to aquafeeds, they ensure that fish and other aquatic organisms receive a balanced and complete protein profile, supporting optimal growth, health, and feed conversion efficiency. Supplementing aquafeeds with essential amino acids can help producers address dietary deficiencies, improve feed utilization, and enhance the overall quality of aquaculture products.
Recent advancements in the aquafeed industry highlight a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability. A notable example is Skretting's (India) development of the AmiNova feed formulation concept, announced in 2024. AmiNova represents a major advancement in precision nutrition for aquaculture, designed to enhance feed efficiency while reducing environmental impact. This new feed formulation is set to launch in the Chilean salmonid market in Q3 2024, with plans for expansion to other species and regions by 2025. This development solidifies amino acid's pivotal role in advancing the efficiency and sustainability of the aquafeed market, driving continued growth and innovation in the industry.
"Asia Pacific is the dominant region in the aquafeed market."
The dominance of the Asia Pacific region in the aquafeed market will likely be retained as the sector grows and continues to develop. Key drivers include a growing emphasis on sustainability, advancements in feed formulations, and a rising demand for higher value-added, nutritionally balanced feeds.
According to USDA's 2024 China Fishery Products Report, China's aquaculture sector is experiencing a notable shift towards industrialization and intensification, which is projected to boost feed demand across the region substantially. It also states that soybean meal constitutes up to 28 percent of the feed for certain species. This heightened demand for soybean meal and other feed components directly contributes to the overall growth of the aquafeed market in Asia Pacific.
Moreover, sustainability certification plays a crucial role in advancing responsible aquaculture practices and ensuring that aquafeed production meets high environmental and social standards. Several prominent certification programs help guide and validate these efforts, promoting sustainability across the diverse and rapidly growing aquaculture sector in the region. The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification is one of the leading standards for sustainable aquaculture in Asia Pacific. ASC's certification program features reach, including environmental impacts, social responsibility, and feed sustainability. As such, for example, ASC certification requires farms and feed manufacturers to have practices that lessen such impacts as reducing pollution and conserving the local ecosystem. For instance, in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, ASC certification is fast becoming the norm in responsible aquaculture, shifting producers to more responsible feed and farming practices.
Prominent companies include ADM (US), Cargill, Incorporated (US), dsm-firmenich (Switzerland), Nutreco (Netherlands), Alltech (US), Ridley Corporation Limited (Australia), Purina Animal Nutrition LLC (US), Adisseo (France), Aller Aqua Group (Denmark), Avanti feeds Limited (India), The Waterbase Limited (India), JAPFA LTD (Singapore), Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (Thailand), BioMar Group (Denmark), and Norel Animal Nutrition (Spain) among others.
This research report categorizes the Aquafeed Market By Ingredient (Soybean, Fish Meal, Corn, Fish Oil, Additives, and Other Ingredients), Form (Dry, Wet, and Moist), Lifecycle (Grower Feed, Finisher Feed, Starter Feed, and Brooder Feed), Species (Fish, Crustaceans, Mollusks, and Other Species), Function (Nutritional Support, Growth Promoters, Immunity Support, Texture & Palatability, and Other Functionalities), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Rest of the World).
The report covers information about the key factors, such as drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges impacting the growth of the aquafeed market. It also provides a detailed analysis of the major players in the market, including their business overview, products offered; key strategies; partnerships, new product launches, expansions, and acquisitions. Competitive benchmarking of upcoming startups in the aquafeed market is covered in this report.
The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall aquafeed market and the subsegments. This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to position their businesses better and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.