Fish Meal Market Share Analysis Outlook From 2025 to 2035

The global fish meal industry is structured in three general segments: Multinational Producers (55%), Regional Players (30%), and Specialty/Niche Manufacturers (15%). Large multinational companies such as Omega Protein Corporation, Nutreco N.V., and Austevoll Seafood ASA dominate with vertically integrated supply chains, large-scale production plants, and extensive worldwide distribution networks.

These companies sell primarily aquaculture and animal feed markets with high outputs and product homogeneity. Local manufacturers like Pesquera Diamante S.A. and DHA (Danish Fishmeal and Oil) hold 30% market share, using domestic fish procurement, environmental friendliness, and strategic buying contracts to compete in their respective locations.

Most such organizations specialize in wild-caught and farmed sources of fishmeal. The other 15% is owned by specialty and niche fish meal manufacturers like Hawkins Watts Limited and Skretting, who produce high-value, protein-rich fish meal for premium pet food, nutraceuticals, and sustainable aquaculture products.

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Market Share by Key Players

Market Structure Top Multinational Producers
Industry Share (%) 55%
Key Companies Omega Protein Corporation, Nutreco N.V., Austevoll Seafood ASA, Cargill, Inc., Marubeni Corporation
Market Structure Regional and Mid-Sized Players
Industry Share (%) 30%
Key Companies DHA (Danish Fishmeal and Oil), Pesquera Diamante S.A., Hawkins Watts Limited, Südzucker AG
Market Structure Specialty & Niche Manufacturers
Industry Share (%) 10%
Key Companies Skretting, premium fish meal suppliers for nutraceuticals, pet food, and organic farming
Market Structure Private Labels & Small-Scale Producers
Industry Share (%) 5%
Key Companies Independent fish meal suppliers, small fisheries focusing on local markets

The industry is moderately consolidated with the multinational giants at the forefront but regional and niche players innovating in sustainability and high-value fish meal uses.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type

Fish Meal Powder (40%) is the highest value segment because of its protein-rich nature, easy digestibility, and wide usage in aquaculture and animal nutrition. Omega Protein Corporation and Nutreco N.V. lead the market in this segment with high-quality protein meal for fish and livestock feed.

Fish Meal Pellets (35%) are extensively utilized in aquaculture and poultry feed because of their stability, easy transportation, and controlled release of nutrients. Austevoll Seafood ASA and Cargill possess good production capacities for commercial fish meal pellets to serve large-scale fish farming operations.

Fish Oil (20%) finds major applications in nutraceuticals, aquaculture, and functional pet food formulations based on its omega-3 fatty acid content.

By Application

Aquaculture (50%) is the largest user of fish meal, spurred by the increasing global demand for farmed fish and seafood. Large firms like Nutreco and Skretting are creating high-performance fish meal blends to aid in sustainable aquaculture expansion.

Animal Feed (30%) is the key segment with fish meal serving as a protein-fortified ingredient to swine, poultry, and livestock feed. This market is ruled by Cargill and Omega Protein Corporation using specially designed fish meal to enhance animal growth and feed efficiency.

Pet Food (10%) is also becoming more of a specialty product as upscale pet nutrition labels use fish meal and fish oil for digestibility, coat quality, and protein delivery. Hawkins Watts Limited is among them, has expertise in functional pet food ingredients.

Who Shaped the Year

  • Omega Protein Corporation Expands Sustainable Fisheries Program: The corporation invested in programs for sustainable fishery certification to ensure responsible wild fish harvesting and high-quality fish meal and fish oil production.
  • Nutreco N.V. Introduces Alternative Protein-Rich Fish Meal Blends: Nutreco launched blended fish meal products that incorporated insect-based proteins and algae-derived nutrients to minimize reliance on wild-caught fish sources.
  • Austevoll Seafood ASA Ups Fish Meal Output Capacity: Austevoll enlarged fish meal processing capacities in Norway and Chile, enhancing supply security to aquaculture feed markets.
  • DHA (Danish Fishmeal and Oil) Improves Omega-3 Extraction Technology: The firm developed a new technology for fish oil extraction further improving the purity levels of DHA and EPA for use in nutraceuticals and functional foods.
  • Pesquera Diamante S.A. Expands Use of Byproduct to Make Fish Meal: The company launched an upcycling initiative, transforming seafood processing byproducts into high-quality fish meal and protein hydrolysates.
  • Südzucker AG Enters Organic Fish Fertilizer Industry: Südzucker entered biofertilizers based on fish meal into the market with emphasis on organic farming and sustainable agriculture segments.
  • Cargill Innovates High-Performance Fish Meal for Precision Aquaculture: Cargill introduced a custom fish meal solution, optimizing protein digestibility and feed conversion ratio to support commercial aquaculture production at scale.
  • Marubeni Corporation Establishes Fish Meal Network in Asia: The firm consolidated supply chain relationships in Thailand, Vietnam, and China to feed the increasing aquaculture feed demand in the region.
  • Skretting Invests in the Circular Economy Fish Meal: Skretting initiated a closed fish meal system, using fish by-products from farms in order to minimize reliance on wild fisheries.
  • Hawkins Watts Limited introduces High-Protein Fish Meal for Pet Foods: The company designed a high-value grade fish meal with higher digestibility to target the market of high-value pet food manufacturers with an interest in omega-3 high-fish-based recipes.

Key Highlights from the Forecast

  • Shift towards Certified and Sustainable Fisheries: Businesses also tend to make investments in sustainability certification (i.e., MSC, ASC) to source sustainably wild-caught fish meal.
  • Development of Alternate Protein Sources in Fish Meal: Blended fish meal foods with insect protein, algae nutrients, and plant proteins will become popular to shift away from wild fish stocks.
  • Fish Meal Augmentation in Aquaculture Feed with High Performance: Nutreco and Cargill are formulating high-digestibility blends of fish meals that boost fish growth rates and feed efficiency.
  • Increasing Use of Fish Meal in High-End Pet Food: Hawkins Watts Limited and Skretting are producing high-protein, omega-3-rich fish meal for premium pet food makers.
  • Increased Need for High-Purity Fish Oil in Nutraceuticals: DHA (Danish Fishmeal and Oil) leads the way in high-purity omega-3 fish oil production for functional food and supplement applications.
  • Circular Economy Applications in Fish Meal Production: Leaders such as Skretting are leading the charge with closed-loop production, utilizing farmed fish by-products to minimize waste and maximize sustainability.
  • Production of Organic Fish Meal-Based Fertilizers: Südzucker AG is growing its organic fertilizer business, promoting the utilization of fish meal as an organic substitute for chemical-based fertilizers.
  • Asia-Pacific Emerging as a High-Growth Market: Increased aquaculture production in China, Vietnam, and Thailand will fuel domestic demand for fish meal.
  • Technology-Driven Nutrient Enhancement in Fish Meal: Marubeni Corporation is employing AI-based feed optimization models to maximize nutrient uptake and feed conversion rates.
  • Regulatory Push for Reduced Marine Resource Utilization: Tighter fishing quotas and environmental regulations will prompt more sustainable sourcing and creative ingredient formulation.

Tier-Wise Company Classification 2025

Fish Meal Market Share Analysis By Tier Type 2025

By Tier Type Tier 1
Market Share (%) 55%
Example of Key Players Omega Protein Corporation, Nutreco N.V., Austevoll Seafood ASA, Cargill, Inc., Marubeni Corporation
By Tier Type Tier 2
Market Share (%) 30%
Example of Key Players DHA (Danish Fishmeal and Oil), Pesquera Diamante S.A., Hawkins Watts Limited, Südzucker AG
By Tier Type Tier 3
Market Share (%) 15%
Example of Key Players Skretting, premium fish meal suppliers for nutraceuticals, pet food, and organic fertilizers

Key Company Initiatives

Company Name Key Focus or Initiative
Omega Protein Corporation Expanded sustainable fishery certification programs , ensuring responsible wild fish harvesting and supply chain transparency.
Nutreco N.V. Developed alternative protein-rich fish meal blends , integrating insect and algae-based proteins to reduce dependency on wild fish stocks.
Austevoll Seafood ASA Increased fish meal production capacity , improving global supply for aquaculture and animal feed industries .
DHA (Danish Fishmeal and Oil) Enhanced fish oil extraction methods , achieving higher DHA and EPA purity levels for nutraceutical applications .
Pesquera Diamante S.A. Launched an upcycling initiative , repurposing seafood processing byproducts into high-protein fish meal.
Südzucker AG Entered the organic fish meal-based fertilizer market , targeting sustainable and regenerative agriculture .
Cargill, Inc. Developed high-performance fish meal formulations , improving feed efficiency and nutrient absorption in aquaculture.
Marubeni Corporation Expanded fish meal trade networks in Asia-Pacific , strengthening supply chains in China, Vietnam, and Thailand .
Skretting Introduced closed-loop fish meal production , utilizing farmed fish byproducts to support sustainable aquaculture .
Hawkins Watts Limited Launched premium fish meal for high-protein pet nutrition , catering to functional pet food brands .

Recommendations for Brands

  • Invest in Certified and Sustainable Fish Meal Buying: Companies must give serious consideration to obtaining Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification in a bid to guarantee sustainable fisheries operations. Austevoll Seafood ASA and Omega Protein Corporation have already done so as a supply chain integrity-building tactic.
  • Expand Alternative Protein Blends in Fish Meal: Under the pressure of not wanting to become increasingly reliant on wild fisheries resources, companies need to incorporate insect protein, algal-derived nutrients, and plant-based amino acids into fish meal blends. Nutreco and Skretting are leading this trend.
  • Strengthen High-Performance Fish Meal for Aquaculture: Precision aquaculture requires nutrient-formulated fish meal with improved digestibility and feed conversion ratio. Cargill's innovation of proprietary fish meal solutions is an example.
  • Tap the Expanding Premium Pet Food Market: Pet food is increasingly utilizing fish meal and fish oil as a result of their omega-3 fatty acid content and better protein digestibility. Hawkins Watts Limited already has its eyes on fish meal for premium pet nutrition.
  • Manufacture High-Purity Fish Oil for Nutraceuticals: Companies need to make investments in fish oil refining technology as omega-3 foods and functional supplements become more popular. DHA (Danish Fishmeal and Oil) has pioneered this by enhancing DHA and EPA purity levels.
  • Embrace Circular Economy Behaviors in Fish Meal Production: Utilize seafood processing bycatch and waste as input for effective fish meal and fish oil, minimizing waste and maximizing sustainability. Pesquera Diamante S.A. already practices this.

Future Roadmap

Call for alternative and sustainable protein will gain pace as the industry shifts away from dependence on wild-caught fish. Leaders such as Skretting and Nutreco already lead the way with the incorporation of insect proteins, algae-sourced omega-3s, and proteins through fermentation in fish meal manufacturing. The trend will conserve global fish stocks while keeping feed production at high quality.

The growth of high-performance aquaculture feed will propel the increased innovation in fish meal formulae designed for nutritional optimization. Cargill and Marubeni Corporation are investing in precision nutrition models, applying AI and data-driven feed optimization to improve fish growth rates and feed efficiency. Future fish meal production will be formulated on tailored formulations for various aquaculture species.

Implementation of circular economy techniques will become the rule to produce fish meal. Organizations will turn by-products of seafood, trim, and bycatch into valuable fish meal and fish oil products. Pesquera Diamante S.A. has already gained success in the practice of sustainability in processes involving waste utilization, and others will follow suit.

Pet food and nutraceutical industries will be huge growth markets for fish meal and fish oil. As leading pet nutrition companies continue to emphasize high-protein and omega-3 values, Hawkins Watts Limited and other companies are investing in high-digestibility fish meal products for pet nutrition.

At the same time, DHA (Danish Fishmeal and Oil) is entering high-purity omega-3 supplements, keeping up with increasing consumer demands for functional food ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is driving the demand for fish meal in aquaculture?

The growth of farmed seafood production is the biggest driver, as fish meal remains a critical protein source for improving fish growth, digestion, and feed efficiency.

Which companies dominate the global fish meal market?

Omega Protein Corporation, Nutreco, Austevoll Seafood ASA, Cargill, and Marubeni Corporation lead due to large-scale fish meal production, strong supply chains, and global distribution networks.

How is sustainability impacting fish meal production?

Companies are shifting toward certified sustainable fisheries (MSC, ASC) and alternative protein sources like insect-based and algae-derived proteins to reduce reliance on wild-caught fish stocks.

What role does fish meal play in premium pet food formulations?

High-quality fish meal and fish oil are widely used in premium pet food, providing high protein digestibility, omega-3s for coat health, and functional benefits.

How are companies addressing fish meal alternatives?

Companies like Nutreco and Skretting are investing in blended protein formulations, integrating insect meal, algae-based proteins, and plant-derived amino acids.

Table of Content
  1. Executive Summary
  2. Market Overview
  3. Key Growth Drivers
  4. Company Performance
  5. Market Concentration
  6. Segmented Analysis
  7. Who Shaped the Year
  8. Key Highlights from the Forecast
  9. Tier-Wise Company Classification
  10. Key Company Initiatives
  11. Recommendations for Brands
  12. Future Roadmap

Fish Meal Market Share Analysis Segmentation

By Product Type:

  • Fish Meal Powder
  • Fish Meal Pellets
  • Fish Oil

By Application:

  • Aquaculture
  • Animal Feed
  • Pet Food

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