Aquafeed Market Trends: Sustainable Ingredients, Precision Nutrition & Forecast to 2033

Growing global demand for sustainable seafood, rapid expansion of commercial aquaculture operations, and increasing adoption of advanced feed formulations are driving the aquafeed market forward. The industry is also experiencing strong momentum from innovations in alternative protein sources, precision nutrition technologies, and government initiatives promoting responsible fish farming practices. According to IMARC Group's latest analysis, the global aquafeed market size reached USD 183.0 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 376.0 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate of 7.46% during 2025-2033.

The aquafeed industry is experiencing transformative growth as aquaculture becomes the primary source of fish protein for more than 3 billion people globally. The market encompasses commercially manufactured feeds available in pellet, extruded, powder, and liquid forms specifically formulated for farmed fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. With traditional fishmeal supplies facing constraints, manufacturers are turning to innovative alternatives including insect protein, algae, single-cell proteins, and plant-based ingredients. The industry is also embracing AI-enabled precision feeding technologies that optimize production costs, improve feed conversion ratios, and enhance sustainability across the supply chain.

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Aquafeed Market Growth Drivers:

• Rising Global Demand for Seafood Consumption

Surging demand for protein-rich, healthy seafood is pushing aquaculture to the forefront as wild fish stocks decline from overfishing and environmental pressures. The Food and Agriculture Organization projects seafood production hitting 191 million tons in 2024, up 2.2% from the previous year, with 16.7 million tons allocated to feed purposes—a 3.3% increase year-over-year. Consumers are gravitating toward premium seafood products, which drives farmers to adopt specialized feeds that boost taste, texture, and nutritional value. This shift transforms aquaculture into the most dependable sustainable seafood source worldwide, directly fueling aquafeed demand to support higher yields, better fish health, and consistent quality across commercial operations.

• Technological Advancements in Feed Formulations

Modern feed technology is revolutionizing aquaculture profitability and environmental impact through species-specific nutrition tailored to exact protein, fat, and micronutrient needs. Extrusion technology now enhances pellet quality, water stability, and nutrient retention, cutting wastage and improving feed conversion rates. Functional additives like enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics strengthen immunity and accelerate growth performance. In June 2024, ADM opened a new R&D facility in Switzerland focused on animal microbiomes and customized health products for aquaculture. Digital tools and precision nutrition approaches enable farmers to customize feeding practices that maximize health and yield while reducing environmental footprint, positioning high-tech feed solutions as the cornerstone of long-term industry expansion.

• Rapid Adoption of Intensive Aquaculture Practices

Commercial-scale fish farming operations with higher stocking densities demand sophisticated, nutritionally complete feed solutions that traditional or low-quality feeds simply cannot deliver. Intensive systems require consistent growth rates, efficient feed conversion, and strong disease resistance to meet escalating seafood demand. Scientifically formulated aquafeeds enriched with proteins, amino acids, and functional additives ensure faster growth, improved survival rates, and enhanced productivity that maximizes profitability. These high-output models also place pressure on water quality, making feeds with superior digestibility and minimal waste crucial. As aquaculture evolves into a technology-driven industry, reliance on specialized aquafeed grows steadily, positioning it as the backbone of intensive farming operations globally.

Aquafeed Market Trends:

• Sustainable and Alternative Protein Sources Gaining Momentum

Environmental concerns and resource constraints are driving manufacturers to replace traditional fishmeal and fish oil with sustainable alternatives including algae, insect meal, soy, and plant-based proteins that offer cost advantages and lower environmental impact. Farmers and producers prioritize eco-friendly formulations that reduce pressure on marine ecosystems while maintaining nutritional balance. Innovafeed recently secured USD 1 billion in commercial partnerships with Tier 1 agro-industry leaders like ADM and Cargill over the next ten years, demonstrating strong industry confidence in alternative proteins. Regulatory pressures and consumer awareness about responsible seafood sourcing accelerate this shift toward greener solutions.

• Strategic Partnerships and Industry Consolidation

Major industry players are forming strategic alliances and pursuing acquisitions to strengthen market positions and expand technological capabilities. In December 2025, Mowi partnered with Skretting to enhance feed formulation for European salmon farming, expecting an EBITDA contribution of approximately EUR 125 million. PAI Partners acquired Innovad Group, a global specialty animal feed additives player serving 900 customers across 75 countries. These collaborations enable companies to combine scientific expertise, innovation capacity, and distribution networks while sharing investment risks. The Center for Applied Aquaculture and Innovation announced partnerships with premier Mexican research institutions to advance regenerative aquaculture solutions.

• Government Initiatives Supporting Aquaculture Development

Governments worldwide are implementing supportive policies and incentive schemes that promote aquaculture as a critical food security solution, directly boosting formulated feed utilization. Norway introduced a closed-containment aquaculture incentive scheme encouraging fish farmers to adopt environmentally friendly facilities with reduced production capacity restrictions. The European Union's Common Fisheries Policy enforces strict requirements for sustainable aquaculture practices and responsible sourcing of fishmeal and fish oil in feed production. In Vietnam, the U.S. Soybean Export Council partnered with the Vietnam Fisheries Society to promote sustainable U.S. soy-based feeds, with Viet Nhat Feedmill launching the "Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy" label emphasizing verified farming practices.

Recent News and Developments in Aquafeed Market

• September 2025: BioMar, Innovafeed, and Auchan formed a groundbreaking partnership to incorporate insect protein into commercial shrimp feed on a large scale in Ecuador. By combining Innovafeed's innovative technology with BioMar's aquafeed expertise and Auchan's retail dominance, the collaboration aims to make sustainable shrimp farming economically viable and ready for mainstream markets, marking a significant milestone in alternative protein adoption.
• September 2025: African Aquaculture Company partnered with AKVA Group to establish Africa's first commercial sea-based salmon farming operation outside Lüderitz, Namibia. Both companies customized technology and operational concepts to fit local conditions, with plans to launch operations using five floating pens equipped with advanced mooring systems, automated feeding technologies, cameras, and digital monitoring tools.
• August 2025: BioMar introduced an innovative feeding solution specifically designed for aquatic feeding systems, providing salmon farmers with pellets optimized to operate more effectively within modern farming environments. The new formulation addresses the unique challenges of contemporary production systems, enhancing feed performance and operational efficiency.

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