Plant-Based Fish Feed Market

How big is Plant-Based Fish Feed Market in 2026?

The plant-based fish feed market is valued at USD 10.1 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 18.5 billion by 2036, growing at a 6.2% CAGR.

Demand for plant-based fish feed is projected to expand at 6.2% CAGR between 2026 and 2036. Industry value grows from USD 9.5 billion in 2025 to USD 10.1 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 18.5 billion by 2036.. Farms are testing growth and feed conversion before approving more plant content in routine diets. Feed conversion shows how efficiently fish are turning feed into body growth. In March 2025, Aquaculture reported a greater amberjack trial using 44.5% plant proteins. Enzyme-treated ingredients improved nutrient access in the plant-rich diet. The trial now gives feed makers a practical route for raising plant content while protecting species needs.

Country adoption is following different paths because farms raise different species and regulators require different feed records. Germany is showing how farm structure changes the evidence buyers expect during feed approval. In June 2026, Destatis reported approximately 16,600 tonnes of farmed fish produced in Germany during 2025, with salmonids accounting for around 9,800 tonnes of that total. German trout farms and other fish producers are using diets that must meet species needs and EU feed rules. UK salmon farms are concentrating large feed volumes among fewer producers, making farm performance central to approval.

Key Takeaways of Plant-Based Fish Feed Market

• Fish farms are using plant-rich diets to widen ingredient options and reduce dependence on marine protein and oil inputs.
• Organic is estimated to hold 85.2% of nature in 2026, supported by certified crop sourcing required in organic feed programs.
• Commercial is forecast to represent 81.6% of end-use application in 2026, supported by feed purchases throughout each production cycle.
• Pellet is projected to hold 53.8% of form in 2026, supported by water stability and controlled nutrient delivery.
• Nutrient balance is limiting adoption because plant inputs differ in amino acids, digestibility, and taste across fish species.
• Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland, BioMar Group, Skretting, Corbion, and Calysta are supplying complete feeds or ingredients used in plant-rich diets.

Analyst Perspective

"Plant-rich feed is likely to expand as processing makes crop proteins easier for more fish species to use. Feed makers should build species trials and pellet data early because farms need stable growth before wider adoption."

- Nandini Roy Choudhury, Principal Consultant, Future Market Insights

How is the Plant-Based Fish Feed Market segmented?

The Plant-Based Fish Feed Market is segmented three ways: by Nature, End-use Application, and Form. Organic leads Nature with 85.2% of 2026 revenue, Commercial leads End-use Application with 81.6%, and Pellet leads Form with 53.8%.

The plant-based fish feed market uses three segment axes with region as the geographic split.
Nature covers organic and conventional feed.
End-use application covers commercial and household.
Form covers pellet, granule, flake, and powder.

How do organic sourcing rules shape feed selection within the nature category?

Organic feed programs require certified plant ingredients and records that trace crop origin through the feed mill. EU organic aquaculture rules require plant ingredients in organic feed to come from organic crops. Mills are keeping approved inputs separate and tracking each lot through production. Buyers are reviewing these records before approving feed for an organic program.

• By nature, organic is estimated to hold 85.2% in 2026, supported by rules that require certified crop inputs. Those rules make sourcing and traceability records part of routine feed approval.
• The European Commission published an EU aquafeed study in August 2026 covering source records and crop sourcing. The study treats both issues as important parts of feed purchasing. Organic feed sellers are keeping crop records so buyers can confirm origin during certification.

Why do farms and hatcheries anchor the commercial end-use application?

Commercial farms and hatcheries are buying feed as a core production input because diet quality affects growth and survival. Farm teams are judging plant-rich diets through growth and feed conversion during each production cycle. Large users are buying routine volumes and need technical support for different species and water conditions. Household demand remains smaller and is spread across many buyers.

• In 2026, commercial is forecast to represent 81.6% of end-use application across farms and hatcheries. Farms feed fish throughout each growth cycle, concentrating demand among commercial users.
• In September 2026, ADM opened a Tianjin aquafeed plant for early-stage fish and shrimp. The plant is serving hatchery and nursery stages with diets designed for young animals.

How does water stability support pellet use within the form category?

Fish farms are using pellets because they are easy to handle and release nutrients in a controlled way. Extrusion uses heat and pressure to help mills set pellet strength and water stability for different fish sizes. Plant meals are changing binding during production, so higher crop content needs stronger process control. Buyers are checking pellet behavior alongside feed conversion before approving a diet for routine farm use.

• Pellet is projected to hold 53.8% of form in 2026 across plant-rich farm diets. Pellet processing is helping mills protect water stability as crop-meal inclusion changes.
• An October 2025 feed study found hot extrusion produced stronger pellets that remained stable in water. Cold processing gave weaker results in the same study. The findings are giving mills a clearer basis for setting extrusion conditions as plant ingredient levels change.

What are the drivers, restraints and opportunities in the Plant-Based Fish Feed Market?

In the Plant-Based Fish Feed Market, the key driver is aquaculture output increasing feed needs that encourage mills to diversify beyond finite marine ingredients, the key restraint is nutrient gaps in plant-rich diets that can limit growth or digestion when formulas miss species needs, and the key opportunity is fermentation and processing that make crop proteins easier to use while source records support buyer approval.

• Driver: Aquaculture output is increasing feed needs, giving mills a reason to diversify beyond finite marine ingredients.
• Restraint: Nutrient gaps in plant-rich diets are limiting growth or digestion when formulas miss species needs.
• Opportunity: Fermentation and processing are making crop proteins easier to use, while source records are supporting buyer approval.

Feed makers widen crop sourcing as marine ingredients face limits

Marine ingredients are facing supply and cost limits, so feed makers are using a wider mix of crop proteins and oils. Mills balance soy and wheat with amino acids and energy to meet each species' needs. Peas and canola add more choices for species that tolerate those ingredients. In September 2025, BioMar and Cefetra formed a partnership to reduce emissions from vegetable inputs used in aquaculture diets. The partnership is linking crop farming practices with source records used by large feed buyers. Those records are helping buyers compare crop sources alongside feed performance. Farms are raising plant inclusion as trials confirm stable growth and feed conversion.

Fish performance limits how much plant protein a diet can use

Fish growth is becoming a limit when plant proteins replace too much marine protein without enough dietary adjustment. Some plant ingredients contain compounds that make nutrients harder for fish to absorb. Amino acid gaps are reducing growth in diets that are not fully rebalanced. Taste changes are lowering feed intake in some plant-rich trials. In February 2025, Aquaculture reported a greater amberjack trial using 50% plant protein. Specific growth rate fell from 2.64% per day to 2.02% per day. The lower growth rate shows why mills must test each species before raising plant content. Processing and added nutrients are reducing this risk, while farm trials remain essential.

Processing helps more fish species use plant proteins

Feed processing is helping fish use more plant protein without reducing growth. Fermented feed is breaking down plant compounds that make nutrients harder to absorb. Feed makers are adding amino acids that match each species' needs. Source records are helping buyers trace the crops used in each approved formula. In October 2025, Aquaculture reported that fermented lupin meal improved feed conversion and digestion in European sea bass. The study supports fermentation as one way to widen crop-protein choices. Mills are pairing fermentation with extrusion to protect nutrient value and pellet strength. Farm trials are showing whether treated crops work in routine feeding.

What are the country CAGRs in the plant-based fish feed market?

Country	CAGR
USA	6.1%
UK	5.5%
Germany	3.8%
South Korea	3.5%
Japan	3.0%

How do country-level CAGRs compare in the plant-based fish feed market?

Country differences are coming from species mix, feed rules, farm structure, and exposure to fishmeal costs.

• Across the USA, federal feed research is supporting plant-protein trials that reduce reliance on marine ingredients in commercial aquaculture.
• UK salmon farms are concentrating feed purchasing among large producers, supporting routine demand for qualified plant inputs.
• Germany requires feed records under EU rules that govern ingredient identity and handling across trout farms.
• South Korean farms are testing soy concentrates in closed-water salmon systems, linking plant use with feed performance under controlled conditions.
• Japan is testing lower-fishmeal diets to reduce exposure to imported fishmeal costs and availability changes.

Salmon farms are putting more weight on pellet performance because feed cost and fish growth are closely linked. Trout and mixed-species farms need more flexibility in protein sources and pellet sizes. Feed rules and fishmeal exposure are changing the proof buyers expect before approving a plant-rich diet.

Country-wise Analysis

• Plant-based fish feed demand in the USA is forecast to rise at 6.1% CAGR over the forecast period. NOAA and USDA are supporting research on feeds that use less fishmeal and fish oil. In April 2025, NOAA published its Future of Aquafeeds guide for fish farms. The guide says farmed fish do not need fishmeal to meet their nutrition needs. NOAA's guidance is giving feed makers more room to use soy, grains, and other crop ingredients. Nutrition teams are balancing amino acids and fatty acids for each species. Buyers require feed-safety checks and farm trials before approving more plant content. Mills need steady crop supply to make the same approved diet across production cycles. Technical support is helping farms read trial results and adjust feeding without losing performance.
• The UK plant-based fish feed sector is projected to record 5.5% CAGR during the assessment period. Scottish salmon farms are buying large feed volumes and tracking growth, welfare, and feed conversion in each cycle. In 2025, Atlantic salmon production in Scotland reached 197,836 tonnes, a 3% increase over the prior year, according to the Scottish Government's Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2025. Scotland's production scale keeps diet performance central to feed approval. Changes in fishmeal prices are increasing interest in plant ingredients during long feed contracts. Farms are testing new diets against growth and flesh quality before wider use. Feed makers need salmon-specific support and steady crop inputs to keep approved formulas consistent. Poor trial results are slowing plant use across routine production cycles.
• Germany is estimated to post 3.8% CAGR over the forecast period for plant-based fish feed demand. EU feed rules are making ingredient identity and handling records part of approval. In June 2026, Destatis reported approximately 9,800 tonnes of salmonids, including trout, from German fish farms during 2025. The species mix is keeping trout and related fish important for feed design. Mills need crop proteins that meet fish needs and hold together in pellets. Buyers expect clear records for each ingredient source and formula change. Crop availability is changing feed blends between production periods. Sellers that document those changes are supporting plant use without disrupting normal farm routines.
• Plant-based fish feed use in South Korea is estimated to expand at 3.5% CAGR through 2036. Fish farms are using large feed volumes and managing heat stress during routine production. In March 2026, the national data agency reported farms received 510 thousand tonnes of feed during 2025. A July 2026 fisheries study tested a 25% fishmeal replacement using soy protein concentrate in Atlantic salmon diets. Salmon growth remained similar under the tested diet. The trial is giving farms local evidence for plant-rich feed in closed-water systems. Disease pressure and warmer water are making feed quality more important. Farms are comparing growth and feed conversion as conditions change. Wider use needs steady feed supply and proof from local production systems.
• Plant-based fish feed sales in Japan are forecast to expand at 3.0% CAGR by 2036. Imported fishmeal is keeping feed costs exposed to marine supply and price changes. Fisheries policy is supporting low-fishmeal feeds and soy-based alternatives for farmed fish. In March 2026, Japan's farm ministry updated Feed Safety Act guidance for feed makers and importers. The guidance sets notice duties and ingredient standards for listed fish species. Buyers are comparing ingredient cost with fish growth and feed efficiency across each production cycle. Plant inputs need steady quality and complete records under Japan's feed rules. Farms are using lower-fishmeal diets more widely as the diets prove reliable in routine production.

Who are the notable companies in the Plant-Based Fish Feed Market?

Notable companies in the Plant-Based Fish Feed Market include Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland, BioMar Group, Skretting, Corbion, and Calysta.

Plant-based fish feed suppliers are operating as complete-feed companies or specialist ingredient suppliers. Cargill, BioMar Group, and Skretting are selling complete fish feeds that can include crop proteins. Archer Daniels Midland is combining a broader animal feed business with fish-feed production in several regions. Corbion is supplying algae-derived omega-3, while Calysta is supplying protein made through fermentation. Those two ingredients are reducing reliance on marine nutrients, but they are not plant proteins. Farms are comparing fish growth, pellet strength, source records, and delivery support before approving a diet.

• Cargill, BioMar Group, and Skretting are using crop proteins in complete feeds and controlling finished-feed production.
• Archer Daniels Midland is combining aquafeed production with plant-protein options across Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
• Corbion and Calysta are supplying non-plant omega-3 and protein ingredients that reduce marine input use.

Competitive Benchmarking: Plant-Based Fish Feed Market

Company	Plant Protein Formulation	Marine-Ingredient Displacement	Commercial Aquafeed Platform	Geographic Reach
Cargill	High	High	High	North America; Europe; Latin America; Asia
Archer Daniels Midland	High	High	High	Asia-Pacific and Latin America
BioMar Group	High	High	High	Europe; Latin America; Asia-Pacific; Australia
Skretting	High	High	High	Global; feed sales in more than 40 countries
Corbion	Low	High	Low	Global ingredient customers; AlgaPrime production in Brazil
Calysta	Low	High	Low	China; commercial FeedKind production in Chongqing

Key Developments in the Plant-Based Fish Feed Market

• In December 2025, Skretting expanded its Longyang Fresh partnership to develop diets for trout farms in China. The partnership connects feed design with source records and high-altitude trout needs.
• In October 2025, BioMar gained ASC Feed Certification for its Dueñas plant, which supplies aquafeed to Spain, Portugal, and markets in North Africa.  The plant makes complete feed for several marine and freshwater fish species.
• In June 2025, Cargill's Westfield aquafeed operation achieved ASC Feed Standard certification. The certification covers a finished-feed site serving commercial aquaculture customers.

Key Players in the Plant-Based Fish Feed Market

Global complete-feed companies

• Cargill
• BioMar Group
• Skretting

Regional feed company

• Archer Daniels Midland

Non-plant ingredient specialists used in plant-rich diets

• Corbion
• Calysta

Plant-Based Fish Feed Market - Report Scope

Coverage field	Report scope
Market breakdown	Nature; End-use Application; Form
Quantitative Units	USD Billion
Market Definition	Revenue from fish feed products sold within the stated segmentation where plant-derived ingredients are a defining part of the formulation. Excludes downstream fish or seafood revenue, marine-only feed categories outside this boundary, and standalone non-plant substitute ingredients unless sold as part of an in-scope finished feed.
Regions Covered	North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; East Asia; South Asia and Pacific; Middle East and Africa
Countries Covered	South Korea; Japan; Germany; USA; UK
Key Companies Profiled	Cargill; Archer Daniels Midland; BioMar Group; Skretting; Corbion; Calysta
Forecast Period	2026 to 2036
Approach	Primary and secondary research with market triangulation.

Plant-Based Fish Feed Market - Research Methodology

Method	Approach
Primary Research	FMI analysts gathered input from manufacturers, service providers, technology developers, distributors, end users, procurement teams and subject-matter experts. Interviews examined purchasing decisions, product or service evaluation, adoption barriers, approval requirements, pricing considerations and expectations for technical or commercial support. Respondents were also asked what evidence is required before a trial, pilot, or initial order develops into regular purchasing.
Desk Research	Desk research covered government statistics, regulatory publications, trade data, industry associations, technical literature, standards, company filings, product information and official corporate announcements. Sources were reviewed for relevance, publication date, geographic coverage and consistency with the defined market scope. Claims relating to performance, applications, approvals, capacity, investment and commercial activity were retained only when supported by credible public evidence.
Market Sizing and Forecasting	The market model combined the baseline value with historical performance, segment structure, pricing and volume indicators, adoption levels, company participation and country-level demand conditions. Forecast assumptions considered economic activity, investment trends, regulatory developments, technology adoption, purchasing cycles, supply availability and barriers to wider market use. Segment and regional estimates were reconciled before the final market total was calculated.
Data Validation	Estimates were checked against multiple independent indicators, including public data, company activity, trade patterns, industry developments and findings from primary interviews. Validation also tested whether products, services, applications and company revenues fell within the defined market boundaries. Adjacent categories, unsupported claims, overlapping revenues and activities without direct market relevance were excluded to reduce double counting and maintain consistency across segments and countries.

Plant-Based Fish Feed Market by Segments

Plant-Based Fish Feed Market segmented by Nature:

• Organic
• Conventional

Plant-Based Fish Feed Market segmented by End-use Application:

• Commercial
• Household

Plant-Based Fish Feed Market segmented by Form:

• Pellet
• Granule
• Flake
• Powder

Plant-Based Fish Feed Market by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Chile
• Western Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Benelux
  • Nordics
• Eastern Europe
  • Poland
  • Czech Republic
  • Romania
  • Hungary
• East Asia
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
• South Asia and Pacific
  • India
  • ASEAN
  • Australia and New Zealand
• Middle East and Africa
  • GCC Countries
  • South Africa
  • Türkiye
  • Israel

Research Sources and Bibliography

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2024, June 7). FAO Report: Global fisheries and aquaculture production reaches a new record high.
• NOAA Fisheries (n.d.). Feeds for Aquaculture.
• NOAA Fisheries (2019, December 27). NOAA USDA Alternative Feeds Initiative.
• Hussain, S. M. et al. (2024, February 20). Substitution of fishmeal: Highlights of potential plant protein sources for aquaculture sustainability.
• European Commission, EU Aquaculture (n.d.). What kind of feed is used for aquatic animals?
• European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (2026, August 20). Study on feed for aquaculture.
• European Union (2018, May 30). Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products.
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (n.d.). The Nutrition and Feeding of Farmed Fish and Shrimp - A Training Manual.
• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (2024, December 11). United Kingdom Food Security Report 2024: Theme 3: Food Supply Chain Resilience.
• Scottish Government (2025, October 28). Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2024.
• Federal Statistical Office of Germany (2025, May 27). Aquaculture production businesses and volume produced in 2024.
• Japan Fisheries Agency (n.d.). Aquaculture industry growth: productivity, feed and seed.
• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (2026, March 30). Q&A on the Feed Safety Act.
• Statistics Korea (2025, March 21). 2024 Fish Culture Production Survey Results (Preliminary).
• Jeong, S.-M. et al. (2026, July 7). Partial Replacement of Fish Meal With Soy Protein Concentrates and Poultry Byproduct Meal for Atlantic Salmon Post-Smolts Reared in a Recirculating Aquaculture System.
• Cargill (n.d.). Product.
• Cargill (n.d.). Ingredients and formulation.
• Cargill (n.d.). Aquaculture Feed.
• Cargill (n.d.). Aquaculture Partnerships & Collaboration.
• ADM (n.d.). Under the Sea: ADM's Aqua Nutrition Solutions.
• ADM (n.d.). Aquaculture Feed Solutions.
• BioMar (n.d.). Our Operations.
• Cefetra Ecosystem Services (2025, September 8). BioMar and Cefetra Join Forces to Cut Emissions from Crop to Coast.
• BioMar (2024, February 2). Yield10 Bioscience and BioMar aim to grow fish oil on land.
• BioMar (2026, March 3). BioMar Iberia pioneer in the introduction of regenerative ingredients for aquaculture feed in EU.
• BioMar (2025, March 24). BioMar posts a record-low Forage Fish Dependency Ratio.
• Skretting (n.d.). What ingredients are in Skretting feeds?.
• Skretting (2024, May 29). Introducing AmiNova, Skretting’s new feed formulation concept.
• Skretting (2025, October 6). A new groundbreaking functional feed for fish.
• Skretting (n.d.). Contact us.
• Corbion (n.d.). Algae for Omega-3 DHA: Sustainable Aquaculture Ingredients.
• Corbion (2024, March 4). Enhancing Omega-3 in diets: Millennial Salmon Project maximizes inclusion of AlgaPrime DHA.
• Calysta (2024, January 31). Calysta’s FeedKind protein receives MARA approval for use in aquaculture feeds.
• NOAA Fisheries. (2025, April 21). The Future of Aquafeeds.
• Molina-Roque, L., et al. (2025, March 15). Enzymatic treatment of plant proteins in combination with algae-based nutraceutical inclusion in aquafeeds improves growth performance and physiological traits in the greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili). Aquaculture, 598, 742012.
• Fuentes, J., et al. (2025, February 15). High plant protein diet impairs growth performance and intestinal integrity in greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili): Molecular and physiological insights. Aquaculture, 597, 741925.
• Vasilaki, A., et al. (2025, October 15). Nutritional enhancement of lupin meal (Lupinus albus), through fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as plant protein ingredient in aquafeeds for the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Aquaculture, 609, 742820.
• Novriadi, R., Gaylord, T. G., Salze, G., & Davis, D. A. (2025, October). Effect of different extrusion conditions and pellet size on the physical properties of extruded fish feeds. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 328, 116453.
• ADM. (2026, September 16). ADM Inaugurates Tianjin Early Nutrition Aqua Feed Facility, Strengthening Aquaculture Nutrition Capabilities in China and Across Asia Pacific.
• Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis). (2026, June 5). Aquaculture production businesses and volume produced in 2025.
• National Data Agency, Republic of Korea. (2026, March 20). 2025 Fish Culture Trend Survey Results (Preliminary).
• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan. (2026, March 30). Q&A on the Feed Safety Act.
• BioMar. (2025, May 30). BioMar Norway Achieves ASC Feed Certification.
• BioMar. (2025, October 16). BioMar expands ASC conforming feed offering to the Iberian Peninsula and nearby markets.
• Skretting. (2025, December 7). Skretting and Longyang Fresh advance strategic partnership.
• Corbion. (2026, April 20). Corbion advances algae innovation with new US patent for omega-3 fatty acids derived from algae.
• Cargill. (2025, June 24). Cargill's aqua feed operations in Westfield achieves ASC certification.
• Skretting. (2025, July 31). Three more Skretting factories awarded with ASC certification.
• BioMar. (2025, September 23). BioMar Broadens ASC Feed Offering Across Central and Northern European Markets.

This bibliography is provided for reader reference and is not exhaustive. The full report contains the complete reference list and detailed citations.

This Report Answers

• How large is the Plant-Based Fish Feed Market in 2026 and what value is forecast for 2036?
• Which industry pressures support demand for plant-based fish feed?
• Why does organic account for 85.2% within nature?
• Why does commercial account for 81.6% within end-use application?
• How do country growth rates differ from 2026 to 2036?
• Which companies offer relevant complete feeds, plant-based formulation abilities, or enabling ingredients?
• What slows switching from marine-rich feed formulations to plant-based fish feed?
• What should buyers evaluate during plant-based fish feed purchasing?