India Aquafeed Market Size and Forecast 2025–2033

The India Aquafeed Market is on a strong upward trajectory, shaped by changing consumer behavior, rising seafood demand, and the rapid modernization of aquaculture practices. According to Renub Research, the market is expected to reach US$ 5.92 billion by 2033, rising from US$ 4.03 billion in 2024. This represents a CAGR of 4.37% between 2025 and 2033.

Growing health consciousness, organized seafood retailing, improved cold-chain capabilities, and rising disposable incomes are accelerating seafood consumption across the country. As India shifts from wet markets to modern retail environments, aquaculture producers are increasingly embracing scientifically formulated commercial feeds, marking a major transformation in the country’s aquatic food production system.

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India Aquafeed Industry Overview

India’s aquafeed industry has expanded significantly over the past decade due to the rise of intensive aquaculture and the increasing emphasis on quality nutrition for fish and shrimp. India is already one of the world’s largest producers of aquaculture products—particularly freshwater fish, brackish water shrimp, tilapia, pangasius, and other species critical to domestic consumption and export revenue.

As aquaculture becomes more organized, the demand for high-performance, nutritionally balanced commercial feed continues to grow. Traditional feeding practices such as rice bran and oilcake mixtures are gradually giving way to customized feed solutions that ensure:

Better growth performance

Enhanced disease resistance

Higher feed conversion ratios (FCR)

Reduced environmental impact

Government support, research initiatives, and private sector investments are also modernizing the feed value chain. Meanwhile, producers are developing specialized feed formulations for every species and lifecycle stage—from hatchlings to adults—driving innovation across the sector.

Despite this progress, challenges remain: fluctuating raw material prices, lack of farmer training, inconsistent feed availability, and infrastructure limitations in rural areas. Yet, with rising fish consumption, expanding export opportunities, and a nationwide push toward sustainable aquaculture, the India aquafeed market remains one of the most promising segments of the broader agro-food industry.

Key Factors Driving India’s Aquafeed Market Growth

1. Expansion of Aquaculture Operations Across India

India ranks among the world’s top aquaculture producers, with freshwater and coastal aquaculture operations expanding rapidly. As farmers shift from traditional extensive models to semi-intensive and intensive aquaculture, the requirement for quality, nutrient-dense commercial feed has surged.

Shrimp aquaculture, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat, is a major growth driver.

Freshwater fish like rohu, catla, tilapia, pangasius, and catfish command large market share in inland states.

Growing exports to the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia also push farmers to adopt standardized, high-quality feed that meets international compliance norms.

2. Rising Adoption of Scientific Feeding Practices

Farmers across India are increasingly recognizing the vital role of species-specific commercial feed in improving yield and profitability. Training programs by the government, NGOs, and private companies are educating farmers on:

Water quality management

Feed cycle optimization

Species-specific nutrition

Disease control through fortified feed

This shift from unorganized feeding to scientific feeding practices is accelerating the adoption of commercial aquafeed, especially in aquaculture hubs such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Telangana.

3. Strong Technological Advancements and Product Innovation

Domestic and international feed manufacturers are investing heavily in R&D, leading to innovations such as:

Probiotic-enhanced feed

Floating and sinking pellet variants

Organic and antibiotic-free feed

Extruded feed for superior nutritional retention

Precision feeding tools and digital farm monitoring

These innovations optimize feed utilization, reduce wastage, and improve profitability for farmers—ultimately supporting the industry's long-term growth.

Challenges in the India Aquafeed Market

1. Raw Material Supply Constraints & Cost Volatility

Key raw materials—including fish meal, fish oil, soybean meal, and corn—experience frequent price fluctuations due to climate concerns, global demand patterns, and import limitations.

This volatility affects:

Production cost stability

Feed pricing

Profit margins for farmers and manufacturers

Because many feed components are imported, global supply chain disruptions can directly impact India’s aquafeed ecosystem.

2. Lack of Awareness Among Small and Marginal Farmers

Despite rapid modernization, a significant portion of India’s aquaculture community—especially rural and small-scale farmers—still use traditional feed due to:

Limited awareness

Lack of training

High price sensitivity

Poor last-mile distribution

Inconsistent feed availability

As a result, feed utilization inefficiencies and lower yields remain challenges in remote regions.

Regional Overview of the India Aquafeed Market

Maharashtra Aquafeed Market

Maharashtra's aquafeed market is experiencing gradual growth due to the expansion of inland freshwater aquaculture, particularly of carp species like rohu and catla. Government-led training, subsidies, and scientific aquaculture promotion are increasing awareness around commercial feed.

Distribution networks are expanding, but challenges remain with:

High input costs

Technical knowledge gaps

Irregular supply in rural belts

Nevertheless, improved investment and farmer education provide substantial growth opportunities for the state.

Tamil Nadu Aquafeed Market

Tamil Nadu is one of India’s most vibrant aquaculture hubs, driven by both freshwater fish and shrimp farming. The state benefits from:

Long coastline

Favourable climatic conditions

Active government support

High concentration of feed manufacturers

Growing awareness about disease management and improved feed efficiency is pushing farmers toward premium, scientifically developed feed. With ongoing expansion in aquaculture infrastructure, Tamil Nadu is poised for strong long-term aquafeed market growth.

Gujarat Aquafeed Market

Gujarat’s aquafeed market is expanding rapidly, driven by the state’s booming brackish water and marine aquaculture, especially shrimp production. Investments in hatcheries, cold chains, and fishing harbors have significantly improved the value chain.

However, challenges such as:

Water salinity variations

Limited technical training

Remote-region access barriers

still hinder widespread adoption. Even so, Gujarat remains a promising market with large-scale potential for feed manufacturers.

West Bengal Aquafeed Market

West Bengal is a major contributor to India’s freshwater fish production, with strong demand for carp feed and other freshwater varieties. With abundant water resources and a large population of fish farmers, the state represents a stable and growing aquafeed market.

Efforts to transition farmers from traditional feeding methods to commercial feed are gaining traction, supported by government initiatives and increasing availability of species-specific products. However, logistical challenges and low awareness levels continue to affect adoption rates in remote districts.

India Aquafeed Market Segmentation

By Species

Carp Feeds

Marine Shrimps

Tilapias

Catfishes

Marine Fishes

Salmons

Freshwater (FW) Crustaceans

Trouts

Others

By Ingredients

Soybean

Corn

Fish Meal

Fish Oil

Additives

Others

By Additives

Vitamins and Minerals

Antioxidants

Feed Enzymes

Others

By Product Form

Pellets

Extruded

Powdered

Liquid

Top States

Maharashtra

Tamil Nadu

Karnataka

Gujarat

Uttar Pradesh

West Bengal

Rajasthan

Telangana

Andhra Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh

Key Companies Covered

The India Aquafeed Market includes major domestic and global leaders such as:

Alltech Biotechnology Pvt. Ltd. (Alltech, Inc.)

Avanti Feeds Limited

Cargill India Private Limited (Cargill Inc.)

Godrej Agrovet Limited (Godrej Group)

Growel Feeds Private Limited

IB Group

Skretting Aquaculture India Private Limited (Nutreco NV)

UNO Feeds

Each company’s profile includes:

✔ Overview

✔ Key Executives

✔ Recent Developments

✔ SWOT Analysis

✔ Revenue Analysis

Final Thoughts

India’s aquafeed market stands at a strategic turning point, backed by rising seafood consumption, expanding aquaculture infrastructure, and technological innovations in feed production. While challenges such as raw material volatility and limited farmer awareness persist, the overall outlook remains strongly positive.

With supportive government policies, digital integration in aquaculture, and increasing adoption of species-specific scientific feed, India is well-positioned to strengthen its role in the global blue economy. The period between 2025 and 2033 will be crucial for industry consolidation, sustainability initiatives, and expansion into value-added, environmentally conscious aquafeed solutions.