Animal Feed Protein Market Report 2026

The animal feed protein market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $311.56 billion in 2025 to $329.05 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing livestock population, rising global demand for meat and dairy, expansion of feed manufacturing infrastructure, advancements in feed formulation technologies, growing awareness about animal nutrition and productivity.

The animal feed protein market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $412.06 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to adoption of plant-based and alternative protein sources, technological innovations in feed processing, rising focus on sustainable and circular feed solutions, growth in aquaculture and petfood industries, increasing regulatory support for feed quality and safety. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for high-quality animal protein feed, adoption of alternative protein sources in livestock feed, increasing focus on feed digestibility and nutritional efficiency, expansion of aquaculture and petfood feed segments, growth in liquid feed formulations for improved feed intake.

The growing demand for meat products is expected to drive the growth of the animal feed protein market in the coming years. Meat is a processed product derived from the processing of livestock or similar animals. Demand for meat products is increasing due to changing dietary preferences, as more consumers seek protein-rich foods for nutrition and energy, thereby boosting overall consumption. Animal feed protein is used to feed livestock to enhance protein intake through high-quality protein sources, supporting muscle development and nutritionally balanced diets that help maintain animal health and improve the quality of end products such as meat, milk, and eggs. For example, in July 2025, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), a UK-based government department, total UK meat production reached 4.16 million tonnes in 2024, up from 4.05 million tonnes in 2023. Therefore, the rising demand for meat products is contributing to the growth of the animal feed protein market.

Leading players operating in the animal feed protein market are concentrating on developing innovative solutions such as lysine-based animal feeds. Lysine-based animal feed refers to formulations that include lysine as a key ingredient or additive, as lysine is an essential amino acid critical for protein synthesis in animals. For instance, in June 2023, Evonik Industries AG, a Germany-based global specialty chemicals company, launched Biolys with a higher concentration of L-lysine. Biolys enables customers to meet their animals’ essential L-lysine requirements more efficiently and consists of granulated L-lysine combined with a nutritionally rich biomass.

In July 2025, Cargill Incorporated, a US-based provider of animal nutrition and feed solutions, including premixes, feed concentrates, and complete feeds for livestock and poultry, acquired Mig-PLUS Agroindustrial Ltda. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Cargill aimed to expand its presence and production capacity in the Brazilian animal feed protein and nutrition market, strengthen proximity to regional livestock producers, and diversify its portfolio with locally adapted feed products. Mig-PLUS Agroindustrial Ltda. is a Brazil-based supplier of animal nutrition solutions specializing in premixes, feed concentrates, and complete feeds for swine and ruminants.

Major companies operating in the animal feed protein market are Cargill Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Tyson Foods Inc., CHS Inc., Smithfield Foods, Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Wens Foodstuff Group, Kerry Group PLC, BRF S.A., Nutreco N.V., Darling Ingredients Inc., Glanbia PLC, Industrias Bachoco, S.A. de C.V., ForFarmers NV, Hilmar Cheese Company Inc., Purina Mills LLC, Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, Hamlet Protein A / S, Nordic Soya Oy, Jellice Pioneer Private Limited, Pecuarius Laboratorios SA de CV, ADM Alliance Nutrition Inc., Aller Aqua A/s, Alltech Inc., Biomin, Charoen Pokphand Group, CP Group, De Heus a.s., Guangdong Haid Gr Co, New Hope Group, Sonac USA LLC.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the animal feed protein market in 2025. The regions covered in the animal feed protein market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the animal feed protein market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Tariffs have impacted the animal feed protein market by increasing costs of imported plant and animal protein ingredients, affecting supply chains for poultry, swine, cattle, and aquaculture feed segments, especially in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. High-value alternative proteins and specialty feeds are most affected. While tariffs raise feed production costs, they also encourage local sourcing and innovation in protein feed production, enhancing regional self-sufficiency and sustainability.

The animal feed protein market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides animal feed protein market statistics, including animal feed protein industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a animal feed protein market share, detailed animal feed protein market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the animal feed protein industry. This animal feed protein market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Animal feed protein refers to the nutrition provided to farm animals, predominantly livestock, as an integral part of their overall care. These protein-rich meals play a crucial role in the diets of animals, serving as essential structural components for their tissues. The inclusion of animal protein in feed contributes significantly to enhancing animal immunity, overall performance, and productivity.

The primary categories of animal feed protein include plant protein, animal protein, and alternative protein. Plant protein is a significant protein source obtained from plants. It serves as a crucial nutritional component for various types of livestock, including poultry, swine, cattle, aquaculture, pet food, and equine. These plant-derived protein products are available in both dry and liquid forms, providing flexibility in their utilization for different animals and feeding preferences.

The animal feed protein market consists of sales of soybean, poultry, and feather meals as well as meat and bone meals. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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