South America Feed Pigments - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The south america feed pigments market size was valued at USD 62.0 million in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD 64.8 million in 2026 to reach USD 81.0 million by 2031, at a CAGR of 4.56% during the forecast period 2026 to 2031. This report is Segmented by Sub-Additive (Carotenoids, Curcumin, and Spirulina), by Animal (Aquaculture, Poultry, Ruminants, and More), and by Geography (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD) and Volume (Metric Tons).

South America Feed Pigments Market Trends and Insights

Export-Grade Poultry Color Standards

Brazil’s poultry export industry provides a strong demand base for the south america feed pigments market, product appearance and color consistency remain important quality attributes in international trade. The Associação Brasileira de Proteína Animal (ABPA) 2026 Annual Report identified Japan as the largest individual destination, importing 402,900 metric tons of chicken meat in 2025, which reinforces the importance of maintaining visual quality in premium poultry shipments. Supporting this trend, a 2025 study published in TERNAK TROPIKA Journal of Tropical Animal Production found that canthaxanthin supplementation improved egg yolk pigmentation scores and production efficiency, underlining the technical importance of carotenoid pigments in poultry nutrition. As a result, the South America feed pigments market remains closely aligned with the requirements of export-oriented poultry systems, where pigmentation supports product quality and market acceptance rather than serving solely as a feed cost consideration.

Brazil Poultry Production Resilience

Brazil’s poultry industry remained resilient despite the first documented avian influenza outbreak in a commercial flock in May 2025, helping preserve the demand foundation of the South America feed pigments market. The Associação Brasileira de Proteína Animal (ABPA) 2026 Annual Report recorded chicken meat production of 15,289,000 metric tons in 2025 and the slaughter of 5.706 billion birds, based on Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) operational data. The same report projects production to increase to 15,600,000 metric tons in 2026, indicating that pigment demand continues to be supported by the scale of the poultry industry rather than by an exceptional rise in output. According to MAPA data cited in the Associação Brasileira de Proteína Animal 2026 Annual Report, Paraná accounted for 38.9% of national chicken slaughter, underscoring the concentration of poultry-linked pigment demand within a single state. The South America feed pigments market is also benefiting from a gradual shift toward natural carotenoid blends in export-oriented production systems, as residue management requirements become more important following the European Commission’s 2025 canthaxanthin rule.

Synthetic Carotenoid Supply and Price Volatility

A concentrated global supply structure remains a key constraint for the South America feed pigments market, as synthetic astaxanthin and canthaxanthin production is controlled by a relatively small group of manufacturers. Major supply anchors include BASF SE, Zhejiang NHU Co., and the Animal Nutrition and Health (ANH) business of dsm-firmenich AG, leaving South American buyers vulnerable to fluctuations in global availability and pricing. In February 2026, dsm-firmenich announced that it had agreed to divest its ANH business to CVC Capital Partners for EUR 2.2 billion (USD 2.6 billion), while retaining a 20% equity stake, reflecting ongoing structural changes within the industry. The South America feed pigments market also faces slower adoption of natural astaxanthin, as naturally derived alternatives remain significantly more expensive than synthetic products in large-scale poultry and aquafeed applications. As a result, feed manufacturers face greater procurement uncertainty, particularly in markets where currency depreciation increases the cost of imported inputs and complicates long-term purchasing strategies.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Chile Salmon Pigmentation Economics
• Aquaculture Expansion in Brazil and The Andean Shrimp Corridor
• Product Authorization and Usage-Limit Complexity

Segment Analysis

Carotenoids accounted for 84.0% of the South America feed pigments market share in 2025, maintaining their position as the dominant revenue-generating category. Demand remains concentrated in this segment because astaxanthin is an essential component of salmonid diets, while xanthophylls and canthaxanthin are widely used to maintain yolk and skin color consistency in poultry production. BASF SE’s Lucantin Pink portfolio illustrates the importance of formulation and application design, as the company positions the product as a microencapsulated astaxanthin solution for fish and crustaceans, suitable for post-extrusion applications. Strong salmonid harvest volumes reported in Sernapesca’s 2025 official statistics further reinforce the scale-driven demand base for carotenoids in Chile. In addition, Alltech Coppens noted in its 2025 technical guidance that feed conversion ratio, astaxanthin concentration, and overall diet composition all influence fillet coloration, highlighting that pigment performance depends on broader feed formulation rather than dosage alone. This technical complexity strengthens the position of established suppliers and supports pricing power and customer retention in the South America feed pigments market.

Curcumin and spirulina are projected to register a CAGR of 7.8% through 2031, making them the fastest-growing sub-additive category in the South America feed pigments market. A 2024 study published in BMC Veterinary Research reported that supplementation with Spirulina platensis at 5 grams per kilogram improved antioxidant capacity, immune response, and feed efficiency in Nile tilapia. These findings are expanding the role of natural pigments beyond appearance, supporting their adoption in premium and residue-sensitive production systems where performance attributes are becoming increasingly important.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Sub-Additive
  • Carotenoids
  • Curcumin and Spirulina
• By Animal
  • Aquaculture
    • Fish
    • Shrimp
    • Other Aquaculture Species
  • Poultry
    • Broiler
    • Layer
    • Other Poultry Birds
  • Ruminants
    • Beef Cattle
    • Dairy Cattle
    • Other Ruminants
  • Swine
  • Other Animals
• By Country
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Peru
  • Rest of South America

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• dsm-firmenich AG
• BASF SE
• Kemin Industries, Inc.
• EW Nutrition GmbH
• Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
• Nutreco N.V.
• Impextraco N.V.
• Orffa International Holding B.V.
• Corbion N.V.
• Innov Ad NV/SA
• Adisseo
• Synthite Industries Ltd.
• ZAGRO Asia Limited
• Alltech Inc.
• Cargill, Incorporated

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support