The market is projected to reach USD 24.8 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 67.8 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 10.6% over the forecast period. The development of eco-friendly feed formulations, increasing adoption of insect-based and plant-based proteins, and government regulations promoting sustainable aquaculture practices are shaping the industry’s future. Additionally, growing concerns over overfishing and depletion of wild fish stocks are accelerating the shift toward sustainable fish feed solutions.
The Fish Feed Market will grow a lot from 2025 to 2035. This happens because more people want fish from farms and want to grow fish in a way that helps the planet. As more people eat fish, fish farmers need better food for fish.
This special food helps fish grow big, stay healthy, and gives more fish to sell. Many new places are starting to farm fish, making the market grow faster. The government and private money help too by supporting good ways to farm fish. Rules about food quality, food safety, and how it affects our world also push the use of good and green fish food.
Advances in fish feed tech, like new protein from bugs, algae, and plants, are changing the market. These green feed ingredients tackle worries about too much fishing and the impact of old fish feed on nature. Plus, new feed additives, probiotics, and smart nutrition improve fish feed use while cutting waste and helping water stay clean.
Automated feeding systems and digital fish farming tools help optimize feed use, cut costs, and increase output. More research on better feed conversion and disease resistance shows the fish feed field will grow and keep getting better in the coming years.
Fish and fish products, like fish meal and fish oil, are often used as key protein sources in fish feed. They provide easy to digest protein, important amino acids, and omega-3 that help farm fish grow, stay healthy, and eat efficiently.
More fish feeds now use fish products for fish like salmon, trout, and tuna due to their good nutrition, improved feed use, and big role in fish farming. New ways to treat fish meal, wrap fish oil, and use other marine proteins like krill and algae help make fish feeding more sustainable and less reliant on wild fish.
While fish products are good, issues like overfishing, changing prices, and sustainability still exist. Yet, new ways to replace fishmeal, create marine proteins with precise fermentation, and use AI to make better feed are likely to improve supply and market strength.
More and more people are using fish feed made from plants like soybeans, corn, wheat, and algae. This choice helps save the sea and is cheaper too. Fish farmers use it for fish like tilapia, catfish, and shrimp because it costs less and is easier for fish to digest. Rules and new ways of making the feed even better help as well.
Scientists have found ways to make plant feeds healthy and full of protein for fish. They work to cut down bad stuff in the feed and make it taste better. Changes like adding special plant proteins and GM soy help fish eat and grow well.
But there are still some problems. The taste is not always great, some feeds have bad stuff that fish do not need, and they lack some needed food parts. New ideas like mixing feeds just right, adding more good stuff from algae, and making better plant proteins should help fish feed work better for all kinds of fish.
Fish food pellets are the most common type. They last long, make less water mess, and help fishes eat more food. Pellets made to sink or float depend on how fish eat. This way, fish get all they need with less waste.
Big fish farms use pellets more now. Pellets help fish grow fast, keep water clean, and give the right nutrients to types like carp, catfish, and salmon. New tech, like better pellet coatings and added health boosters, makes pellets easier to digest, keeps fish from getting sick, and helps fish stay healthy.
Even with good points, making pellets costs more, they can break up in water, and some nutrients can be lost by heat. But new ways to make pellets with less heat, tiny nutrient covers, and smart feeders help improve pellets and make them more popular.
Small fish food in the form of granules is commonplace in hatcheries and for young fish. It is easy to digest, has regular particle size, and spreads nutrients well. The granules help small fish grow by giving needed protein and lessening feed fights among them.
Freshwater and marine fish farms need more granulated feed because it's good for auto-feeding systems, aids uniform growth, and lowers feed waste. Better formulas such as micro-granules, slow-release granules, and those with special ingredients are helping feed uptake, immune strength, and survival of the young fish.
Yet, problems like nutrients washing away, storage troubles, and costlier fortified granules remain. New types of water-stable granules, diets enriched with microalgae, and AI-driven feeding plans may boost performance and widen market use.
Challenges
Rising Raw Material Costs and Sustainability Concerns
One of the major challenges of the fish feed market is the changing price of fishmeal and fish oil that are vital for any conventional aquafeed formulation. Wild overfishing can lead to extinction for these fish stocks, which originally provided material fish meals and animal feedstuffs. It is also harmful for future sustainability of our oceans.
Meanwhile, water pollution problems related to overfeeding and general lack of waste management have regulatory authorities tightening up feed management rules with much emphasis on increased vigilance in feeding practice too.
Opportunities
Alternative Protein Sources, AI-Powered Feed Optimization, and Functional Feeds
Despite Challenges, the fish feed market in general are presented with considerable growth potential Development of alternative protein sources such as insect-based or algae-based as well as single cell proteins has increased feed sustainability and reduces dependence on fishmeal.
The introduction of AI-based feed optimization systems, which use real-time data to adjust feeding schedules and avoid wasting feed, can raise the efficiency of aquaculture. Furthermore, mounting demand for functional feeds enriched with Omega-3 or probiotics, as well as immune-boosting compounds is generating opportunities for high-value aquafeed solutions.
The development of precision aquaculture, increasing investment in sustainable feed production, and rising consumer demand for environmentally friendly seafood have further increased innovation in fish feed production.
The fish feed market in the USA is growing well. People want better fish products, and there’s more money going into eco-friendly fish farms, plus feed is getting better. Rules set by the FDA and NOAA make sure feeds meet healthy and green standards.
More plant and bug proteins are being used in feed. Precise farming tech is also a big part, along with probiotics and helpful additives. There is also a push for organic and GMO-free fish feed, making feeds more advanced.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 3.2% |
The fish feed market in the UK is growing. This is because people want eco-friendly fish farming, fewer fishmeal uses, and more money is going into new feed options. The UK Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Food Standards Agency (FSA) have strict rules on feed safety and keeping the environment safe.
There is a move towards feeds rich in omega-3, algae-based proteins, and more organic fish feed. These changes help the market grow. Also, more money going into closed-loop fish farming means more need for special feed solutions.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| UK | 2.8% |
The fish feed market in the EU is growing steadily. Strict rules on sustainable fish farming help. More studies on new protein types and more people wanting responsibly farmed fish boosts growth. The European Food Safety Authority and Common Fisheries Policy support eco-friendly and healthy fish feed options.
Germany, France, and the Netherlands lead with insect-based, microalgae-based, and single-cell protein feeds. More money for research on fish health and nutrition, plus new antibiotic-free and useful fish feed, also drive trends.
| Region | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| European Union (EU) | 3.0% |
The fish feed market in Japan is growing. There is more need for good seafood. There is more money put into high-tech fish farming. Better fish food is being made. Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) helps make fish food that's good for the earth. This new food is to use fewer wild fish.
Japanese companies make special feeds. They use smart tech to manage fish nutrition. They add healthy stuff to the food to help fish grow and stay well. More people want strong fish food for tuna, yellowtail, and eel farms. So, the market gets bigger.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 3.1% |
The fish feed market in South Korea is growing steadily. This growth is due to increased help from the government for fish farming, adopting better feed formulas, and more need for fish feed without antibiotics. The South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the National Institute of Fisheries Science are encouraging the making of eco-friendly fish feed and helping lower the carbon footprint of fish farming.
New smart feeding tools, more aquaponics fish farms, and the need for special feed mixes for high-value fish are pushing new ideas in the market. Investing in local fishmeal production and algae-based proteins also boosts market sustainability. The outlook for South Korea's fish feed market looks promising with these advancements in place.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 3.3% |
The fish feed market is characterized by a fragmented structure with prominent players across multiple tiers. Tier 1 companies like Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Alltech, Biomin, Ridley, Sonac, BioMar, Nutreco, and Skretting are global leaders. These multinational corporations leverage vast resources, extensive R&D, and global supply chains to maintain market dominance. Their ability to innovate in feed formulations, optimize feed efficiency, and engage in strategic acquisitions helps them maintain a competitive edge. For example, Skretting produces over 2 million tonnes of feed annually, underscoring its global presence.
Tier 2 companies are regional players like Zeigler Bros., which focus on niche markets such as ornamental fish and specialized aquaculture species. While they lack the scale and resources of Tier 1 companies, they differentiate themselves through high-quality products and personalized services. These companies can adapt quickly to market changes and cater to local preferences, though they face challenges in scaling production. Despite the dominance of Tier 1 players, the market remains fragmented, with significant barriers to entry, including high capital requirements and regulatory hurdles.
Recent Fish Feed Industry News
Recent developments in the fish feed industry have been marked by strategic mergers and acquisitions that are reshaping the market. A notable move was made by IFB Agro Industries Ltd., which acquired Cargill India's commercial shrimp feed and freshwater fish feed business. This acquisition includes manufacturing facilities in Vijayawada and Rajahmundry, which will significantly enhance IFB's production capabilities and expand its presence in the growing aquafeed sector. Similarly, Cargill expanded its footprint in the U.S. by acquiring two feed mills from Compana Pet Brands in Denver, Colorado, and Kansas City, Kansas. These acquisitions are expected to strengthen Cargill's feed production and distribution capacity in key regions.
These strategic decisions reflect a broader trend of consolidation within the aquaculture feed market. Companies are increasingly focused on enhancing their production capabilities and expanding their geographic reach to meet the growing demand for sustainable and efficient aquafeed solutions. As sustainability continues to be a priority, these mergers and acquisitions are likely to drive innovation and competitive advantages, shaping the future landscape of the industry.
The overall market size for the fish feed market was USD 24.8 billion in 2025.
The fish feed market is expected to reach USD 67.8 billion in 2035.
Increasing global seafood consumption, advancements in aquaculture practices, and rising demand for high-nutrient and sustainable fish feed formulations will drive market growth.
China, India, Indonesia, Norway, and the USA are key contributors.
Extruded pellets are expected to dominate due to their high digestibility, longer shelf life, and better water stability compared to other feed types.
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