In 2023, the global forage market size value is estimated by the Future Market Insights survey report to be USD 817.5 million. Years ahead, FMI projects that the market is expected to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2023 to 2033. The market analysis report further predicts the net worth of total demand for forage by 2033 to reach USD 1,357.3 million.
Nowadays, animal rearing has become an important sector of the agricultural industries, even with the soaring growth potential in terms of value. Due to the world's rising demand for dairy products, as well as its rising meat consumption, the forage market is growing rapidly in recent years. Rapid urbanization, rising affluence, and demographic change are also key factors driving the consumption of animal-based products in emerging nations.
Globally, the consumption of animal products like milk and meat is surging with the rising need for protein-concentrated food items. This factor is pushing up the need for high-quality animal feed, as farmers choose appropriate forage for their livestock to produce the desired quality products. Also, the focus of a great portion of livestock farmers has shifted from sustenance to commercial farming, who now go for high-quality forage.
Milking animals rely heavily on foraging plants, so farmers are turning to forage produce to maintain the health of their livestock to fulfill the rising demand for dairy. Additionally, the fodder market in western countries is anticipated to expand in order to accommodate the expanding need for racetrack equines.
Besides food for animals and livestock, forage crops are getting more attention these days as a vegetative measure for checking soil erosion. Since the national governments are encouraging the growth of forage farming in less fertile agricultural land areas, it is anticipated to further fuel the market opportunities. Also, many international organizations have come up to assist forage industry players to boost the market for farmers on the demand side.
Over the years, there has been a rise in the count of livestock firms with the improvement of farmers’ income, particularly in emerging economies. Such farmers can now afford the cost of high-quality forage to support their large feed requirement and generate an economy of scale. Such developments are anticipated to strengthen the forage market trends and opportunities, and expand the business in underdeveloped economies as well.
| Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Forage Market Share (2022) | USD 777.1 million |
| Forage Market Size Value (2023) | USD 817.5 million |
| Forage Market Size Value (2033) | USD 1,357.3 million |
| Forage Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033) | 5.2% |
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As per the previous survey report of FMI, the overall global forage market size in 2018, in terms of value, was USD 651.6 million. Although during the years 2018 to 2022, the global forage market experienced a CAGR of 4.5%, the pandemic caused significant business disruptions.
In developed nations, the companies that produce forage feed were under the challenge of sourcing raw materials due to the prohibition of international trade routes. In developing regions, forage-producing farmers also suffered significant losses as a result of restrictions on the production sites and supply chain networks.
As animal-based foodstuff demand rises, the global forage market may experience strong growth over the short-term period. Furthermore, the market might develop during the medium term, due to the decline in grazing pasture areas around the world. Later, customer desire for organic animal feed, the sector is anticipated to experience significant expansion during the long-term period.
Forage can be considered a semi-perishable item, making trading difficult for many regional players with insufficient distribution channels and storage facilities. However, the adoption of processing methods to increase the shelf-life of the product is anticipated to be a substantial game changer in the forage business. Processing of forage produce also helps in the production of fortified animal feed that is in high demand in many parts of the world. Moreover, it reduces the volume of the product, making it easier for transportation and storage by the market players as well as buyers.
Based on the target, the nutrient forage segment reached an overall market valuation of USD 538.4 million in the previous year 2022. As per the market report, this segment is expected to retain its above-average growth rate of 6.6% over the forecast years.
Forages containing a high protein grade, such as silages and hay, are offered to ruminants like cows to help them meet their increased nutritional demands. As a result, this segment is anticipated to exhibit a higher growth rate over the predicted period, along with increasing milk consumption.
Contrastingly, the mycotoxin forage segment is observed to be getting popular fast and is garnering a lucrative demand in the present market. As per FMI, this segment is anticipated to develop at a year-on-year growth rate of 5.2%, which is at par with the overall market growth rate.
Based on forage type, the hay forage category is predicted to remain the dominant segment of the overall market. Though fresh forage is always high in demand, the commercial constraints associated with it make it unsuitable for extensive distribution networks.
Therefore, the dry forage segment is expected to remain the key focus of the forage industry, vying for higher returns on their product. The countries involved in the import and export of animal feeds are expected to contribute to the dry matter forage segment's predicted 4.4% CAGR.
Presently, the United States is the leading region for forage business and is anticipated to generate USD 224 million in the year 2023. Forage grass that is grown in the United States is produced in Oregon, which also hosts many companies operating in the forage business. Due to a surge in demand for forage seed, the market in Oregon is continually expanding and is strengthening the United States market as a whole.
This market report further reveals an annual rate of 4.7% for the years 2023 to 2033 for the growth in demand for forage in Canada. The most extensively demanded forage grass on a worldwide basis are Timothy and brome grass, the two regularly cultivated in Canada.
Europe, having a vast expanse of livestock and animal-rearing farms throughout the country, is considered a very lucrative region for forage suppliers. The German forage market is anticipated to expand within the European Union at a rate of about 3% over the forecast years.
Demand for forage has been more prominent in European countries because of their manpower scarcity and restricted access to animal feed. The United Kingdom is expected to continue to have one of these regional forage feed marketplaces with the strong growth rates.
Production of forage in China is anticipated to grow at a higher CAGR of 8.6% during the years from 2023 to 2033. As per the market estimates, the sales of forage are anticipated to reach an overall market size of USD 321.7 million by 2033. The net worth of the total forage sold in the Asia Pacific, excluding China, is expected to reach up to USD 134.3 million by 2027.
Japan and India are the other two notable regional markets for sales of forage feed in the Asia Pacific geographic part. Japan, with an expected growth rate of 2.3% during the forecast years, is projected to emerge as a lucrative market for global players too. In India, government spending on doubling the farmers’ income by encouraging them to indulge in animal rearing and dairy is boosting the demand for forage.
Forage Industries operating in the animal feed business usually compete based on high-quality goods and marketing tactics of acquiring regional distributors. Strategic decisions are crucial for achieving and maintaining a greater market penetration in the face of fierce pricing rivalry from local players. To grow the forage business further, significant market players are getting into mergers and acquisitions with local forage producers and regional players.
Nowadays, the adoption of uncommon agricultural produce is an emerging trend in the forage market, which may offer players lucrative growth prospects on the international market. Several market players have entered the sector with new and innovative animal feed to compete with the existing players.
Leading forage companies are now resorting to innovative technologies for improving the yield and quality of forage produce having higher commercial value. The development of high-yielding forage seed varieties and the adoption of precise farming methods are getting readily adopted by leading forage market players. Other than that, modern storage facilities and processing machines have also favored these industries in expanding their business beyond the regional market.
Price fluctuation remains a key challenge for start-ups entering the forage industry, with little or no buffer storage to continue the business. For instance, throughout the top milk-producing states of the United States, the price for alfalfa hay dropped by USD 1 from its record high in August 2022. Though, the actual cost rose to USD 342 per ton, but then remained roughly USD 92 higher than it was a year earlier.
The net amount of forage consumed in the current year 2023 could be close to USD 817.5 million.
The overall demand for forage to rise at 5.2% CAGR through 2033.
The hay forage segment supplies for more than 50% of market produce.
The sales of forage in the United States could add up about USD 224 million revenue in 2023.
The growing requirement of nutrient forage segment may grow at 6.6% CAGR until 2033.
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Forage Market
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