Aquaculture Nutrition Market

Aquaculture Nutrition Market Outlook from 2024 to 2034

The global aquaculture nutrition industry is estimated to be worth USD 184.1 billion by 2024. It is projected to reach USD 302.7 billion by 2034, reflecting a CAGR of 5.1% over the assessment period 2024 to 2034.

Increased consciousness about safe and resourceful methods of sourcing food for the increasing world population is one of the most prominent factors boosting the industry's sales. Since there is a limited quantity of wild fish, it cannot satisfy the anticipated increasing seafood need, thus aquaculture becomes one of the best alternatives.

Cargill and Skretting are some of the companies that are leading in this innovation. Cargill has created feeds that boost the immune strength of farmed fish, resulting in better stock and better production. Meanwhile, Skretting focuses on feed solutions that offer the best possible nutrients for the fish while aiming to limit damage to the ecosystem.

Customers are becoming more affluent and health-oriented and are prepared to pay for more quality foods, specifically fish. Aquaculture nutrition products range from improving the nutrient composition of the cultivated fishes to enhancing the industry potential of this goods segment.

Equally important, new technologies that have been adopted into feed formulation and production have resulted in quality feeds being more available and cheaper which enhanced industry expansion.

Attributes	Description
Estimated Global Aquaculture Nutrition Industry Size (2024E)	USD 184.1 billion
Projected Global Aquaculture Nutrition Industry Value (2034F)	USD 302.7 billion
Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034)	5.1%

Moreover, development in biotechnology has allowed companies such as Evonik to engineer feeds with better nutritional value that improves growth and feed conversion efficiency. This not only improves productivity but also enhances the profitability of aquaculture and attracts more investments into the industry.

Key Industry Highlights

Precision Fermentation Altering Nutrition for Optimal Growth of Different Species and Life Stages

The approach taken in addressing the gap in nutritional consideration of different species in aquaculture is through precision feeding, focusing on the nutritional needs of individual fish species. Various strategies, which include feed formulation suitable for various species of fish are being employed as a means of enhancing growth trends in aquaculture nutrition and improving feed efficiency.

An industry leader, Skretting incorporates such nutritional models to improve the nutrition of fish feed in aquaculture. Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainably farmed seafood of high quality, and precision nutrition allows for the rearing of healthier and more resilient fish that meet these demands.

Not only does this contribute to consumers' demands for healthy seafood, but it also promotes efficient aquaculture as feed waste is minimized and the use of inputs becomes efficient.

Digital Technologies and Smart Feeding Systems are Transforming the Industry

The aquaculture feed sector is experiencing an evolutionary development using digitalization and the understanding of smart feeding systems. This allows very accurate management and control of feed given to the fish ensuring minimal waste and maximum growth rate. AKVA Group is a leading company addressing this trend in the industry.

They provide automatic regulators of the feeding regime, which are capable of appropriately managing the quantity of feed allocated at any given moment, due to the use of actual operational data.

These systems are put in place to coordinate several factors like the behavior of the fish, hydrological parameters, and environmental factors to correctly deliver feed at the right amount and time for desired growth. This not only reduces the quantity of feed wasted but also enables the fish to be larger and healthier.

Enhancing Nutrient Efficiency and Sustainability Through Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

RAS technology provides the means for water to be effectively retained within the system, thus cutting down on the volume of water that is drained away and lessening the degree of harm caused to the environment. In this method, nutrients are also transmitted to the fish at the right level and at the right time which improves the growth of the fish.

One of the leading firms in the aquaculture business, Atlantic Sapphire, has successfully adopted RAS technology to efficiently breed fish in a safe environment. Located in Miami, the firm uses RAS at its Blue House equipment to farm salmon. Atlantic Sapphire uses maximum water quality and nutrients to support their fish that sustain high health and growth levels of fish stock.

This technology is useful in enabling the production of safe and healthy seafood and at the same time meets the growing demand for sustainable and responsible food production.

2019 to 2023 Global Aquaculture Nutrition Sales Analysis Compared to Demand Forecasts for 2024 to 2034

Global sales increased at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2019 to 2023. For the next ten years (2024 to 2034), projections are that expenditure on such products will rise at 5.1% CAGR.

Between 2019 to 2023 increasing concern over sustainability measures in food production and decline in the wild fishery resources have raised the awareness and demand for aquaculture feed. Cargill and Skretting have given the lead in doing so by producing better feeds that promote fish growth and health.

Cargill’s feeds have enhanced the immune response of farmed fish which has led to improved health of the fish stock and increased harvests. During this period, the increasing number of health-conscious customers looking for wholesome seafood propelled the growth of this industry.

From the year 2024 to 2034, the sector is registered to fasten, owing to the achievements in precision nutrition and new-age technologies. The approaches of precision nutrition will further optimize feed technology across a variety of specifications and animal life phases, thereby improving feed efficiency and animals' growth rates.

Further, the introduction of technological advancements coupled with smart feeding systems is going to change the way feeds are given, lessen waste, and make use of productive growth rates by operating in real time.

Market Concentration

Tier 1 Companies are referred to as the major players of the industry as they are fully established worldwide with majority shares of the business ecosystem. Industry leaders always lead the level of creativity, research, and development and most of the time are the trendsetters.

They include Cargill and Skretting. Cargill, with its innovative feed formulations and global industry distribution, is the leading provider of sustainable nutrition and health solutions due to the effective distribution of their products.

Tier 2 Companies are the regional players with adequate market coverage and are known for offering niche products. They are typically more localized and address specific issues of more general ones. BioMar is an example of this, performing well in the European territory due to its cutting-edge feed products.

In the same way, Aller Aqua develops and offers fish-focused feeds that take into account various life-stage and age requirements, focusing on feed quality and sustainability.

Tier 3 Companies are smaller players who are usually limited to the local or regional areas. They tend to service localized areas and do not possess the same level of R&D as bigger companies but are nonetheless helpful in satisfying local needs. These companies are smaller in size but still strong in their target industries due to their deep-seated innovations and customer service.

Country-wise Insights

The following table shows the estimated growth rates of the top three territories. China and Japan are set to exhibit high consumption, recording CAGRs of 6.2% and 5.5%, respectively, through 2034.

Countries	CAGR 2024 to 2034
The USA	3.4%
Brazil	4.2%
India	5.1%
Japan	5.5%
China	6.2%

Integration of Smart Aquaculture Systems and Supportive Government Boosting Sales in Japan

Japanese customers are known to be discriminated against and on the lookout for better quality products, hence the increased manufacture of high nutrient feeds to obtain better quality fish. Due to this, companies like Nisshin Feed are also in the development of focused feeds that make the fish harvested from the farms taste more delicious, and appealing to the local market.

Just as important is the consideration of technology, which helps in the better management and tracking of fish farms. Such systems assist in the provision of feed and management of water quality and in turn, see healthier fish and better production processes.

At the same time, growth fuelled in the industry also comes from government programs aimed at encouraging the best aquaculture practices. Advancement programs in aquaculture nutrition have assisted companies to penetrate the market and offer better solutions.

Demand Outlook in China

Chinese customers are now searching for convenient seafood that is nutritious and with a variety. Such demands have further caused the emergence of processed, packed, and heat-treated seafood, which calls for quality aquaculture feeds. Another key factor is the intensification and diversification of aquaculture practices.

As the profits made from traditional species such as carp continue to lessen, the producers are expanding their production by introducing more profitable species into it. This diversification, however, poses the need for specialized feeds for various species. In addition, high environmental standards have also led China to follow practices of sustainable aquaculture.

Companies have begun adopting more innovative feeding techniques as a means of minimizing the negative environmental consequences and complying with these laws. Haid Group is leading the development of eco-friendly diets that reduce wastage on feeds and enhance their response to the needs of the population. All these factors point towards the success of Chinese aquaculture feed sales.

Enhanced Focus on Production of Nutrient-Rich Feeds and Shrimp Farming in India

The growing health-conscious trend among consumers has led to the demand for high-quality seafood with a corresponding increase in the production of feeds of high nutritional value for better quality fish rearing. In this regard, companies like Avanti Feeds are designing custom-made feeds aimed at improving the productivity and health of fish reared on farms to serve the local industries that seeks affordable high-quality seafood.

Expansion of shrimp farming which is an emerging sector in India's aquaculture industry is another major factor. Owing to these factors, most of the investors pointed out favorable climate features and a long coastline for commercial shrimp culture.

Waterbase Ltd. is one of the companies that has brought in new developments of feeds which are particularly designed for shrimp to increase growth and feed utilization efficiency. This increased demand for feeds for aquaculture in India is mainly attributed to the increased emphasis on shrimp nutrition.

Category-Wise Insights

Manufacturers Focus on Fish Segment for Higher Sales

Segment	Fish (By Species)
Value Share (2024)	48.1%

Companies such as BioMar, are crafting specific feed formulations by the requirements of fish species like salmon, tilapia, and carp. The demand to streamline production techniques has been possible through better management of growth, health, and feed conversion rates, compatible with higher returns on investment.

Another consideration is the increasing quality of safe, legal, and sustainably produced seafood. Nutreco, through its subsidiary Skretting, is meeting this need by developing feeds that have a lesser impact on the environment than those currently available. Also, new improvements in the feed will improve the nutritional and digestibility levels of the different feeds offered to the fish.

A good example of this is Alltech, which advances its products through research and provides feeds that improve fisheries' immunity and rate of growth. These technology initiatives are very important in satisfying the increased demand for fish as a major protein source resulting in the aquaculture nutrition sector growth.

Rising Incidences of Diseases Leading to Innovative Solutions

Segment	Gut Health (By Functionality)
Value Share (2024)	18.9%

A healthy gut microbiota improves nutrient uptake, decreases disease incidences, and leads to a surge in growth rates which is beneficial for aquaculture firms. Companies like Alltech have begun looking for solutions by developing technologies such as probiotics and prebiotics for fish gut health maintenance.

Their feed ideas, such as Aquate, seek to enhance the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract for efficiency in the conversion of feed for the growth of the fish. The growth of this business ecosystem has been also fuelled by the increasing incidence of diseases in aquaculture and the general realization of the need for preventive measures in health management.

Gut products allow for the reduction of the utilization of antibiotics by improving the natural resistance of the fish to diseases. BioMar has launched fish feed with functional components aimed at improving gut health and consequently reducing the incidence of fish diseases. Also, seeking to fulfill the demand for ‘clean’ seafood products among consumers is becoming a factor for the introduction of gut health products.

Competition Outlook

The competition landscape of the aquaculture nutrition market is intense. Cargill, Skretting, and BioMar are the major market players and contribute significantly in terms of R&D investment as well as further towards the creation of innovative sustainable feed concepts to tackle the market.

Such companies also seek to multiply the investment that they can dedicate to the efficient manufacturing of developing feeds to improve fish health, growth rates, as well as the environment.

To expand their sales, manufacturers are embracing different strategies including vertical and strategic acquisitions. For instance, Cargill was able to increase its market share by purchasing smaller feed companies and assimilating them into its distribution network, thus ensuring the quality and availability of raw materials.

BioMar was strategic in not just targeting local consumers but also local aquaculture producers to regionalize their distribution and thereby capture the market.

For instance

• In 2024, AmiNova, a newly launched feed formulation concept by Skretting, is set to involve high levels of precision in fish nutrition. It elaborates on the basic concept of essential amino acids that are digestible.
• In 2023, A biotechnology firm, MiAlgae introduced new omega-3 products, obtained from algae, for pet food and aqua feed. For instance, their product NaturAlgae, is essentially a dry powder fortified with a great concentration of oils and DHA.

Leading Brands

• BioMar Group
• Aller Aqua Group
• Bern Aqua NV
• Cargill, Incorporated
• The Scoular Company
• Zeigler Bros., Inc.
• ADM
• Skretting
• Santeh Feeds Corporation
• Grand Fish Feed
• Optimal Aqua
• Growel
• Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC
• Alltech
• BASF
• INVE Aquaculture
• DSM
• Others

Key Segments of the Report

By Product Type:

As per product type, the industry has been categorized into Plant (Soybean, Corn), Animal [Fish (Fishmeal, Fish Oil, etc.), Crustaceans, Mollusks, and Others (miscellaneous freshwater and diadromous fish species)], Additives [Antibiotics, Vitamins & minerals, Antioxidants, Amino acids, Enzymes, Probiotics & prebiotics, and Others (acidifiers, mycotoxin binders, phosphates, and carotenoids)], and Others (DDGS, wheat, barley, poultry by-product meal, and blood meal).

By Species:

As per species, the industry has been categorized into Fish (Cold Fresh Water Fish, Warm Fresh Water Fish, Warm Water Marine Fish), Molluscs, Crustaceans, and Others.

By Functionality:

This segment is further categorized into Gut Health, Growth Enhancers, Nutritional Supplements, Disease Prevention, Feed Efficiency, Immune Function, and Others.

By Sales Channel:

As per sales channel, the industry has been categorized into Direct Sales, and Indirect Sales (Hypermarkets, Supermarket, Wholesalers, Specialty Stores, Online, and Other Retail Formats).

By Stage of Life:

This segment is further categorized into Starter Nutrition, Grower Nutrition, Finisher Nutrition, and Brooder Nutrition.

By Region:

Industry analysis has been carried out in key countries of North America, Latin America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East & Africa.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current value of the Aquaculture Nutrition industry?

The global industry is estimated at a value of USD 184.1 billion in 2024.

At what rate did the sales for Aquaculture Nutrition grow between 2019 and 2023?

Sales increased at 4.5 % CAGR between 2019 and 2023.

Who are the leading manufacturers of Aquaculture Nutrition?

Some of the leaders in this industry include BioMar Group, Aller Aqua Group, Bern Aqua NV, Cargill, Incorporated, The Scoular Company, Zeigler Bros., Inc., ADM, Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC, Alltech, BASF, INVE Aquaculture, and DSM.

Which region will garner a significant value share by 2024?

The East Asian territory is projected to hold a revenue share of 35.8 % over the forecast period.

At what CAGR is the global forecast to grow from 2024 to 2034?

The industry is projected to grow at a forecast CAGR of 5.1 % from 2024 to 2034.