• In June 2022, Cargill teamed up with Innovafeed to introduce sustainable insect‑based protein into aquafeed formulas, supporting eco-friendly nutrition for salmonids.

• In 2024, Corbion (via TerraVia/Solazyme) launched AlgaPrime DHA, a premium algal omega‑3 feed ingredient, reducing dependence on wild‑harvested fish oils in aquaculture.

In this report, the Aqua Feed Market has been segmented by Type, Additives, Form, Ingredient, Application, and Geography.

Aqua Feed Market, Segmentation by Type

The Aqua Feed Market has been segmented by Type into Fish Feed, Mollusk Feed, Crustacean Feed and Other Aqua Feed.

Fish Feed
Fish feed is the largest segment in the aqua feed market, contributing close to 45% of the overall share. This type of feed is widely used in commercial aquaculture for species such as salmon and tilapia. Enriched with high-protein ingredients like fish meal and soybean meal, fish feed promotes robust growth and enhances disease resistance in aquatic animals.

Mollusk Feed
Representing around 18% of the market, mollusk feed is crafted to meet the dietary requirements of bivalve mollusks like mussels and oysters. Typically composed of microalgae and phytoplankton, it supports healthy shell formation and water quality improvement through filter feeding.

Crustacean Feed
With an approximate 25% market share, crustacean feed is formulated for aquatic species such as shrimp and crabs. These feeds are rich in proteins and essential fatty acids, supporting shell formation, energy metabolism, and optimal survival during molting phases.

Other Aqua Feed
Occupying about 12% of the aqua feed market, other feed types address the needs of lesser-known or niche aquatic species such as ornamental fish and amphibians. These feeds are enriched with specialty nutrients, including color enhancers and prebiotics, for species-specific health and appearance.

Aqua Feed Market, Segmentation by Additives

The Aqua Feed Market has been segmented by Additives into Antibiotics, Vitamins & Minerals, Antioxidants, Amino Acids, Enzymes, Probiotics, Prebiotics and Others

Antibiotics
Antibiotics comprise nearly 10% of the aqua feed additives segment, widely used to combat bacterial infections in aquaculture. They help maintain fish health and survival, especially in high-density production systems. However, stricter regulations are prompting the industry to adopt more sustainable alternatives.

Vitamins & Minerals
Accounting for about 20% of the market, vitamins and minerals are critical for supporting growth, metabolism, and immunity in aquatic animals. These micronutrients are standard in aqua feed formulations to ensure optimal development and disease resistance.

Antioxidants
With an estimated 8% share, antioxidants are added to preserve feed quality by preventing oxidative damage. They also offer health benefits by enhancing cellular function and stress tolerance in fish and shellfish under challenging farming conditions.

Amino Acids
Amino acids hold a strong 15% position within the additive market, enabling efficient protein synthesis and improved feed utilization. Their supplementation is crucial in diets replacing fishmeal with plant proteins to maintain growth performance.

Enzymes
Enzymes account for around 10% and are instrumental in breaking down complex nutrients, thus boosting digestibility and nutrient absorption. Their use leads to better feed efficiency and lower environmental impact from aquaculture waste.

Probiotics
Probiotics make up nearly 12% of the additive segment and are gaining traction for their role in gut health and immunity enhancement. These beneficial bacteria offer a natural solution to reducing disease outbreaks without antibiotics.

Prebiotics
Representing close to 7%, prebiotics promote the growth of beneficial gut microbes, improving digestion and disease resistance. Their inclusion aligns with the industry's focus on sustainable and health-oriented feed practices.

Others
The remaining 18% of the market includes a diverse range of additives such as color enhancers, binders, and palatability agents. These are tailored to improve feed handling, appearance, and market value of aquaculture products.

Aqua Feed Market, Segmentation by Form

The Aqua Feed Market has been segmented by Form into Dry, Wet, and Moist

Dry
Dry aqua feed dominates the market with a share of nearly 60%, favored for its extended shelf life and ease of transportation. It is widely adopted in commercial aquaculture due to its cost efficiency, storage convenience, and compatibility with automatic feeders. Dry feed is particularly effective for mass production environments.

Wet
Comprising roughly 25% of the aqua feed market, wet feed is highly digestible and appealing to aquatic species. It is formulated with high moisture content, typically between 45% to 70%, and is preferred in hatcheries or farms focused on high-value or carnivorous species.

Moist
With a market presence of approximately 15%, moist feed offers a balanced alternative between dry and wet forms. It retains moderate moisture levels, enhancing freshness and digestibility while remaining easier to handle than wet feed. Moist feed supports better nutrient absorption, especially in younger aquatic species.

Aqua Feed Market, Segmentation by Ingredient

The Aqua Feed Market has been segmented by Ingredient into Soybean, Corn, Fishmeal, Fish Oil, Additives, and Others

Soybean
Soybean holds the largest share in the aqua feed ingredient market, contributing nearly 35% due to its high protein content and affordability. It is extensively used as a sustainable alternative to fishmeal, offering good amino acid balance and digestibility, especially in feeds for herbivorous and omnivorous aquatic species.

Corn
With about 20% market share, corn serves as a major energy source in aqua feed. Its carbohydrate-rich profile improves feed palatability and energy density, making it a cost-effective filler ingredient widely adopted in commercial aquaculture.

Fishmeal
Accounting for roughly 18%, fishmeal remains a preferred protein source due to its high biological value and nutrient density. However, sustainability challenges and price volatility are driving the industry toward reducing its inclusion in favor of plant-based and novel protein alternatives.

Fish Oil
Fish oil contributes around 10% and is valued for its essential omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. These fatty acids are crucial for supporting growth, reproductive function, and immune response, especially in marine species and carnivorous fish.

Additives
Making up approximately 12%, additives enhance feed quality and functionality. This includes a wide range of micronutrients, enzymes, probiotics, and antioxidants that improve digestion, immunity, and shelf stability of the feed.

Others
The remaining 5% comprises alternative ingredients like algae, wheat, and insect meal, which are gaining traction as eco-friendly and nutritionally viable options. These components help diversify feed formulations and support sustainable aquaculture practices.

Aqua Feed Market, Segmentation by Application

The Aqua Feed Market has been segmented by Application into Carp, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Crustaceans, Tilapia, Catfish, Sea Bass, Grouper and Others

Carp
Carp represents the largest segment in aqua feed application, contributing around 22% due to its dominance in aquaculture, especially in Asia. The feed is optimized for growth and cost-efficiency, using a mix of plant proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates to support large-scale farming.

Rainbow Trout
Holding approximately 10% share, rainbow trout feed is tailored to support this cold-water carnivorous species. Rich in high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids, the feed enhances feed utilization, growth, and overall health in clean, temperate waters.

Salmon
Salmon feed makes up about 14% of the application segment. Known for its high nutritional requirements, salmon feed typically contains fishmeal, fish oil, and essential vitamins, although the industry is moving toward more sustainable formulations with plant-based alternatives.

Crustaceans
At nearly 13%, crustacean feed is formulated for shrimp and crab farming. It includes ingredients like amino acids, calcium, and minerals to promote healthy molting, shell development, and immune system performance in intensive aquaculture systems.

Tilapia
Contributing roughly 12%, tilapia feed is primarily plant-based, leveraging affordable ingredients such as soybean meal and corn. The species' omnivorous diet allows for cost-effective feeding strategies without compromising growth rates or feed efficiency.

Catfish
Catfish feed, with about 9% share, is customized for bottom-dwelling fish and often consists of grain-based and plant-derived proteins. It’s designed for pond culture systems, offering high digestibility and better feed conversion ratios.

Sea Bass
Sea bass feed accounts for close to 7% of the market and is rich in lipids and proteins. Formulated for marine environments, it ensures healthy growth, muscular development, and robust immune support in carnivorous sea bass species.

Grouper
Grouper feed holds an estimated 6% and targets this high-value but slow-growing species. The feed contains high lipid and protein levels, ensuring proper nutrition and market-ready coloration, especially for groupers raised in cages and tanks.

Others
The remaining 7% of aqua feed applications includes specialty feeds for ornamental fish, eels, and pangasius. These feeds are tailored with specific nutrients, growth boosters, or aesthetic additives like color enhancers to meet diverse market needs.

Aqua Feed Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Aqua Feed Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Aqua Feed Market Share (%), by Geographical Region

North America
North America contributes around 18% to the aqua feed market, supported by modern aquaculture operations and increasing consumer demand for healthy fish protein. The U.S. leads regional growth with established trout, catfish, and salmon farming sectors.

Europe
Europe holds approximately 22% of the market, with key contributions from Norway, Spain, and the UK. Known for its emphasis on sustainable aquaculture and premium fish feed, Europe remains a vital region in the aqua feed value chain.

Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific dominates the aqua feed market, capturing nearly 42% of the global share. Countries like China and India drive demand through large-scale farming operations and the adoption of cost-efficient feed formulations, particularly for carp and tilapia.

Middle East and Africa
Representing about 8% of the market, the Middle East and Africa are witnessing gradual expansion in aquaculture. Nations like Egypt and Saudi Arabia are investing in aquaculture development, boosting demand for reliable feed supply.

Latin America
Latin America, with an estimated 10% market share, plays a crucial role in aquaculture, especially in shrimp and tilapia production. Countries such as Brazil and Chile are adopting advanced feed practices to enhance aquaculture yields and sustainability.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Aqua Feed Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers

• Rising global demand for aquaculture products
• Growth in intensive fish farming practices
• Nutritional innovation in species-specific feed

• Expansion of freshwater and marine aquaculture - A key driver accelerating the demand for specialized and high-quality aqua feed. As populations grow and wild fish stocks become overexploited, aquaculture has emerged as a reliable source of protein-rich, sustainable seafood. The increasing shift toward intensive farming of species such as tilapia, salmon, catfish, and shrimp has created a robust need for nutritionally balanced, high-performance feed.

  Both small-scale and commercial aquaculture enterprises are scaling operations across freshwater, brackish, and marine environments, requiring tailored feed formulations that meet the specific dietary needs of diverse aquatic species. This diversification has led to an increase in demand for species-specific feed blends, enriched with protein, lipids, enzymes, vitamins, and probiotics that enhance growth, immunity, and feed conversion ratios.

  The global rise in fish and shrimp farming is also supported by government initiatives, aquaculture subsidies, and favorable trade policies. Countries in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa are significantly investing in aquaculture as a means to boost food security, rural employment, and export revenues. As the aquaculture footprint grows, feed manufacturers are responding with advanced, region-specific products to meet scalability and sustainability goals.

  The increased geographic spread and species variation in aquaculture is directly boosting demand for premium feed solutions. This growth trajectory reinforces aqua feed as a strategic input and highlights its role in ensuring efficient, responsible, and profitable aquaculture expansion.

Restraints

• Volatility in raw material prices
• Environmental concerns from aquafeed runoff
• Disease outbreaks affecting feed consumption

• Regulatory challenges in antibiotic usage - A emerged as a major restraint in the aqua feed market. Global efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance have led to stricter controls on the inclusion of antibiotics and growth promoters in animal and aquaculture feeds. Regulatory bodies across regions are enforcing new guidelines and limiting the use of antibiotics for non-therapeutic purposes, placing pressure on feed manufacturers to reformulate products.

  This transition requires the industry to find effective alternatives to maintain animal health, such as phytogenic additives, probiotics, enzymes, and organic acids. While these alternatives are gaining acceptance, they often come with higher production costs and varied performance outcomes. Manufacturers must invest heavily in R&D to validate the efficacy of such additives and meet the compliance standards of local and international markets.

  Export-oriented aquaculture countries also face the challenge of aligning with importer-specific regulations, particularly in the EU and North America, where the scrutiny of feed ingredients is more rigorous. Any deviation or residue detection can result in shipment rejections, trade penalties, and reputational damage. This increases compliance costs and limits product flexibility across regions.

  This restraint, stakeholders in the aqua feed industry must invest in transparent supply chains, third-party certifications, and continuous innovation. Only by staying ahead of evolving regulations can companies secure long-term growth while protecting animal and public health.

Opportunities

• Development of functional and medicated feeds
• Adoption of plant-based feed alternatives
• Technological advances in feed formulation

• Expansion in emerging aquaculture economies - A significant opportunity for the aqua feed market. Rapid industrialization and rising income levels in countries like India, Indonesia, Brazil, and Vietnam are driving higher demand for affordable, protein-rich food sources, including farmed fish and shrimp. This demand is pushing governments and private players to invest in modernizing aquaculture infrastructure and production capacities.

  These regions are witnessing a transformation from traditional extensive farming systems to semi-intensive and intensive aquaculture operations, which require well-formulated, nutritionally optimized feed. This creates new demand for species-specific, high-efficiency aqua feed products tailored to local climate, species mix, and production objectives. Feed manufacturers have an opportunity to introduce customized, scalable solutions in markets that are still developing their aquaculture frameworks.

  International funding bodies and NGOs are promoting the adoption of sustainable aquaculture practices in developing nations. This includes initiatives to reduce overfishing, improve rural livelihoods, and promote biosecure, low-footprint aquaculture models. Feed companies that align their offerings with these sustainability goals stand to benefit from preferential partnerships, subsidies, and access to new distribution networks.

  As emerging economies strengthen their fish production systems, the need for reliable and high-performance aqua feed will intensify. This shift offers a strategic entry point for global players looking to capture new customer segments and long-term growth potential in high-growth regions.

Key players in Aqua Feed Market include:

• Aller Aqua AS
• Alltech Inc.
• Archer Daniels Midland Co.
• BioMar AS
• Cargill Incorporated
• Charoen Pokphand Group
• Coppens International BV
• Hanpel Tech Co. Ltd
• Kemin Industries Inc
• Inve Aquaculture Inc
• Nutreco NV
• Nutriad International NV
• Ridley Corporation Ltd

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis