China Compound Feed - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The China compound feed market size was valued at USD 109.00 billion in 2025 and is forecast to grow from USD 113.90 billion in 2026 to USD 141.94 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 4.50% from 2026 to 2031. This report is segmented by Animal Type (Ruminants, Poultry, Swine, Aquaculture, and Other Animal Types), by Ingredient (Cereals, Cakes and Meals, By-Products, and Supplements), and by Form (Pellets, Mash, Crumbles, and Liquid). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

China Compound Feed Market Trends and Insights

Rising Demand for Animal-Based Protein in China

Rising demand for animal-based protein is supporting the China compound feed market because feed is a key input for commercial livestock, poultry, and aquaculture production. The continued expansion and commercialization of these animal-production sectors are increasing the need for formulated feeds tailored to different species, growth stages, and production systems. In particular, the development of commercial aquaculture is supporting demand for specialized aquafeed formulations, while poultry and livestock production continues to generate demand for compound feed across major animal categories. The increasing commercialization of animal production and the shift toward more standardized feeding practices are further supporting the adoption of commercially manufactured feed products. As a result, the China compound feed market benefits from a diversified animal-protein production base spanning livestock, poultry, and aquaculture rather than relying solely on swine feed demand.

Industrialization of Poultry and Swine Farming

The transition from small-scale and mixed farming systems toward larger, more commercialized livestock operations is expanding the customer base for commercial feed manufacturers and increasing the use of standardized feeding programs. According to the China Feed Industry Association in 2026, bulk compound feed accounted for 53.4% of total compound feed output in 2025, an increase of 4.1 percentage points from 2024, indicating a continued shift toward commercially supplied feed and centralized procurement. The growing scale of poultry production is also supporting demand for formulated feed, while larger swine farms increasingly rely on standardized nutrition and professionally managed feeding systems. At the same time, China's efforts to manage sow inventories may moderate swine feed demand in the near term, creating a more balanced growth outlook across livestock segments. USDA FAS reported that sow inventories had declined to 39.61 million head at the end of 2025, close to the government target, while weak hog prices and tighter margins were anticipated to limit further herd expansion. Overall, the increasing scale, standardization, and professionalization of poultry and swine farming are supporting the adoption of commercial compound feed, particularly among large-scale producers.

Dependence on Imported Soybean Meal and Volatile Corn Costs

Raw materials represent a major share of compound feed production costs, making fluctuations in soybean and corn prices an important constraint on feed manufacturers' margins. China remains highly dependent on imported soybeans for its feed industry, with soybean imports reaching approximately 105 million metric tons in 2024, with Brazil accounting for the largest share of supply. At the same time, corn prices can fluctuate with domestic supply, inventories, and feed demand. United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) anticipated that large Chinese feed mills used 6% more corn in feed rations during the first seven months of 2025 than the average level in the previous year, highlighting the importance of corn availability and pricing to feed manufacturers. The combination of imported soybean exposure and changing domestic corn requirements can increase formulation costs and make it more difficult for feed manufacturers to maintain stable margins. These cost pressures can also influence ingredient substitution and formulation decisions, particularly when the relative prices of soybean meal, corn, and alternative protein or energy sources change.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Expansion of Commercial Aquaculture and Specialized Aquafeed
• Adoption of Low-Protein, Precision-Nutrition Formulations
• Swine-Cycle Volatility and Periodic Herd Destocking

Segment Analysis

Swine accounted for 50.0% of the China compound feed market size in 2025, making it the largest animal-type segment. Its substantial production base gives swine feed a major influence on feed mill utilization and raw material demand. Poultry feed also represents a significant segment of China's compound feed industry, while ruminant feed maintains a smaller but established position. The large swine-feed base reflects the continued importance of pork production in China's livestock sector, although the segment remains exposed to fluctuations in hog inventories, producer profitability, and the swine production cycle.

Aquaculture is forecast to be the fastest-growing animal-type segment, expanding at a 6.2% CAGR between 2026 and 2031. The segment is supported by the continued commercialization of aquaculture and increasing demand for species-specific formulations. Premium feed for shrimp, marine finfish, eel, and other high-value species requires specialized nutritional formulations and processing capabilities, supporting opportunities for higher-value aquafeed products. The expansion of aquaculture therefore provides an additional growth channel for China's compound feed industry alongside its large swine-feed base.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Animal Type
  • Ruminants
  • Poultry
  • Swine
  • Aquaculture
  • Other Animal Types
• By Ingredient
  • Cereals
  • Cakes and Meals
  • By-products
  • Supplements
• By Form
  • Pellets
  • Mash
  • Crumbles
  • Liquid

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (Charoen Pokphand Group Company Limited)
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
• Nutreco N.V. (SHV Holdings N.V.)
• Alltech, Inc.
• Guangdong Haid Group Co., Limited
• New Hope Liuhe Co., Ltd. (New Hope Group Co., Ltd.)
• Wens Foodstuff Group Co., Ltd.
• Tongwei Co., Ltd. (Tongwei Group Co., Ltd.)
• Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co., Ltd.
• Tangrenshen Group Co., Ltd.
• Wellhope Foods Co., Ltd.

Additional Benefits:

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