Animal Feed Protein Ingredients Market, Analysis By Source (Animal and Plant), By Product Type (Meat Bone Meal, Hydrolyzed Feather Meal, Poultry Meal, Blood Meal, Fish Meal, and Others), By Application (Livestock, Poultry, Aquaculture, Pet Food, Equine, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

An animal feed ingredient is a single ingredient, or any mixture or combination added to animal feed. Animal feed ingredients include milling by-products, grains, minerals, proteins, added vitamins, oils/fats, and other energy and nutritional sources. Animal feed protein ingredients refer to protein foods that facilitate the repair and growth of animal body tissues. These ingredients not only comprise meat but also are sourced from protein-rich plants. Protein ingredients play a vital role in improving and building muscles and other tissues in the animal body. When food containing protein is ingested, it is further hydrolyzed into free amino acids and peptides in the digestive system of animals. 

According to the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA-Northeast, more than 470 million dogs and 370 million cats have been kept as family pets, which has fueled a continued demand for animal protein feed ingredients leading to the growth of the pet food industry. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), farmed fish are provided with diets specially designed for nutritional needs.

The need for suitable, safe, and cost-effective animal feed is rising due to rising concerns regarding livestock nutrition and health. Animal feed comprised of protein content promotes amino acid synthesis and caters to the need for ammonia for ruminants' diets. It also plays a vital role in supporting the production of healthy hormones and the immune system in livestock by ensuring cell regeneration and body tissue development. Therefore, the increased awareness among consumers, accompanied by changing feed trends worldwide, is a significant factor driving the expansion of the animal feed protein ingredients market. The increased application of meat and meat products in animal feed has led to the implementation of severe regulatory needs to maintain animal safety, resulting in strict regulatory compliances for distributors and producers. This factor may act as a challenge for the animal feed protein ingredients industry growth.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Animal Feed Protein Ingredients Market

COVID-19 affected nearly every industry globally and moderately affected the animal feed protein ingredients market. During the pandemic, manufacturing companies were compelled to shut down their manufacturing plants to avoid the spread of the virus. Therefore, the shutting down of companies led to high pricing of animal feed protein ingredients available in the market, making them expensive for farmers. Thus, it was observed that farmers avoided purchasing costlier products. Moreover, after the decrease in COVID-19 cases, manufacturing companies abstained from operating with more workers resulting in lesser production and shortage in supply. Recovering economies and smooth supply chains are anticipated to reshape the development of the animal feed protein ingredients industry growth in the years to come.

Animal Feed Protein Ingredients Market Segmentation Analysis

Key Insights

The report will cover the following key insights:

• Overview of parent/related markets


• Partnership, merger, and acquisition by key players of animal feed protein ingredients


• Key trends and innovation


• Regulatory analysis


• Impact of COVID-19 on the animal feed protein ingredients market

Analysis by Source

Based on source, the animal feed protein ingredients market is segmented into animal and plant. Plant-based protein source is anticipated to hold a significant market share, as soybean is the most utilized crop for producing animal-feed protein ingredients. The demand for protein ingredients has increased over the past few years. Consumers are looking for non-allergic, functional ingredients that replace synthetic ingredients, as they will be consuming products obtained from these animals. Therefore, consumers are focusing on purchasing animal feed with plant-based protein ingredients, ensuring natural and safe food consumption. 

Analysis by Region

Based on geography, Europe is anticipated to achieve a substantial share of the global animal feed protein ingredients market due to rising innovation, presence of a considerable number of animal feed protein ingredient manufacturers, and a growing number of consumers shifting toward a healthy diet. Additionally, the rising livestock production is fostering market growth in Europe. The rising concern regarding meat quality and increasing meat consumption in the region are key factors enabling Europe to dominate the animal feed protein ingredients market share. 

Key Market Players

• Ingredion (U.S.)


• Kerry Group (Ireland)


• Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. (Netherlands)


• Sodilaal International (France)


• ADM (U.S.)


• Lactalis Group (France)


• Hilmar Ingredients (U.S.)


• Glanbia plc (Ireland)


• Cargill, Incorporated (U.S.)


• AMCO Proteins (U.S.) 

Key Industrial Developments

• In November 2021, ADM, one of the significant companies in nutrition and agricultural processing and origination, acquired Sojaprotein, a provider of non-GMO soy ingredients. The acquisition benefitted ADM through the expansion of its global alternative protein capabilities and widened its ability to fulfill the rising demand for plant-based beverages and foods.


• In June 2022, Cargill and Innovafeed extended their partnership to introduce healthy novel ingredients for aquafarmers. Both companies expanded the collaboration from three years to 10 years. This global partnership enabled them to develop and market insect meals to support aqua-feed customers. They benefitted by raising more sustainable seafood with the least environmental impact. This also helped Cargill to enhance its global animal nutrition capabilities to strengthen the use of insect ingredients in numerous types of animal feed.