Aquaculture Feed Extrusion Market – By Species, By Feed Type, By Distribution Channel – Global Forecast, 2025 – 2034

Aquaculture Feed Extrusion Market Size

The global aquaculture feed extrusion market size was valued at USD 45.3 billion in 2024, with expectations to reach USD 94.4 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 7.7%. In the last ten years, the market has been consistently growing due to the increase in high protein seafood consumption and rise in demand for aquaculture activities. In the past, the market progressed from basic feeding techniques of mash and crumble to more sophisticated water-stable and nutrient rich methods of extruded feeding.
 

This change helped reduce the negative impact of aquaculture on the environment. There is a clear need to support optimal growth and feed conversion efficiency which has made extruded feeds the choice for many species, especially for carnivorous fish. New developments in extrusion equipment have also increased the versatility of formulated feeds for both large and regionally based manufacturers, enabling them to use extrusion techniques.
 

Stricter controls to improve water quality and reduce antibiotics in aquaculture has increased the quality of feed used. Along with that, consumer concerns about the long-term impacts of fishing also changed the way how feeds are made. Stakeholders are now more willing to use feeds that improve water animals’ lives.
 

Thus, the alignment of economic, environmental, and nutritional objectives continues to favor the market, which, in turn, factors extruded aquaculture feed as an important element in modern aquaculture systems in Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas.
 

According to a report released by Department of Fisheries in 2023, India had record fish production of 175.45 lakh tons in FY 2022-23 and is the third largest fish producing country in the world accounting for 8% of global production. This will help in boosting demand for efficient, sustainable aquaculture practices, driving growth in advanced extruded feed technologies.
 

Aquaculture Feed Extrusion Market Trends

Shift toward sustainable and alternative ingredients: Emerging qualitative changes within the industry are shifting the market. One such change is the heightened interest towards sustainability and supply chain traceability, which stems from regulations and consumers focused on responsible seafood farming. This has further increased the movement towards alternative proteins such as insect meals and algae which are now being added into extruded feed formulations to lessen reliance on fishmeal and soy.
 

Technological advancements in feed extrusion: Another is improvement in twin-screw extrusion technology, which now gives better control over feed texture, floating ability, nutrient delivery, and other key features based on the needs of different species and water conditions. Furthermore, automation and digitalization of feed mills are expanding, enabling greater control of processing conditions, energy consumption, and uniformity in feed quality. Other shifts arise from new restrictions on the discharge of antibiotics into the environment, which increase the use of functional and medicated feeds that enhance the fish’s immunity and gut health, using extrusion techniques rather than drugs.
 

Moreover, customization and precision nutrition are emerging as key opportunities whereby feed manufacturers are paying attention to custom formulations as they relate to the life stage, digestion, and surroundings of aquatic species. In unison, these movements are transforming developments in the aquafeed industry and strengthening the position of extrusion as a primary driver technology for the effective and eco-friendly systems of production aquaculture.
 

Trade Impact

Within the aquaculture feed extrusion market, customs duties and trade restrictions can significantly disrupt regional supply chains, affect investment flows, and slow market growth. For example, if tariffs are imposed on key components such as imported extrusion machinery, packaging materials, or specialized feed additives, production costs could rise, particularly in developing markets that rely on these imports.
 

Additionally, restrictions from major producing regions like the U.S. or Europe—especially concerning sustainable ingredient standards—could limit the export of high-quality feed formulations or critical raw materials like fishmeal replacements. This would force some regions, such as Southeast Asia or parts of Africa, to turn inward and develop domestic alternatives, which may be more costly and less efficient in the short term. However, such trade barriers could also lead to long-term positive shifts, encouraging local innovation in feed technology and processing infrastructure.
 

Governments and private players may invest more in producing region-specific, environmentally friendly extruded feeds using local resources like insects or agricultural by-products. While the immediate impact of trade restrictions might include increased costs and supply shortages, they also push the industry toward self-reliance and sustainable practices. This transformation could eventually stabilize production, strengthen regional supply chains, and improve long-term economic resilience in the aquaculture feed extrusion sector.
 

Aquaculture Feed Extrusion Market Analysis

The market by species is segmented into carp, marine shrimps, tilapias, catfishes and marine fishes. The carp accounted for 34.3% of the market share in 2024.
 

• All the maintained species have unique growth challenges that aid in the demand of aquaculture feed extrusion. For example, the most practiced, carp, uses extruded pellets due to its cost effectiveness and relatively simple production process. Price sensitivity of farmers in developing areas remains an obstacle. This challenge force manufacturers to balance the quality and price of goods offered in the market. Marine shrimp feed, which is usually found in granular or micro-pellet form, has a very high-water stability as well as nutrient density requirement. Innovations such as slow-sinking, water-stable granules that aid in blunting the leaching of nutrients, thus augmenting shrimp health further underline the issues of small-scale farms.
   
• Advanced formulations are extremely high in cost which makes them inapt for small scale farms. On the other hand, floating pellets that stimulate surface feeding are good for farmers as they make consumption monitoring easier. The increased positiveness regarding feeding lowers net feed wastage. Plant associated protein sources are more frequently being used to manufacture feed for tilapia with the aim of reducing dependence on fishmeal. Catfish feed that is usually prepared in the form of sinking pellets is continually lower in protein compared to other species. The demand is shifting more and more towards easily digestible and more efficient feeds with the advent of intensive farming. It is necessary to improve the conversion rate of the feed pile without raising the price further.
   
• Species like cobia or sea bass demand specialized nutrition in the form of extruded pellets with high protein and energy content, often including premium constituents like fish oil or algae. While such feeds outperform their competitors, their cost restricts use to export-centric or high-margin farming operations. Focusing on different species across the market, the main differentiators are performance, innovation, and pricing, and it becomes evident where the success lies: how well the producers of these feeds balance these demands with tailored farming practices and economic situations.
   

The aquaculture feed extrusion market is segmented into pellets, granules, powder and others based on feed type. Pellets in aquaculture feed extrusion made up 49.5% of the market in 2024 and expected to grow at a faster rate of 7.3% CAGR to reach a wider consumer base.
 

In the aquaculture feed extruder market, distinct types of feeds including pellets, granules, and powders possess differing levels of importance relative to their growth drivers and challenges. Major stability in water, buoyancy, and nutrient delivery tend to make pellets the dominant preferred type of feed. Commercial farms targeting larger fish species increase their demand for cost-efficient feeders optimized for better feed conversion ratios. Following the recent advancements in extrusion technology, there has also been increased demand for controllable floating and slow sinking thick pellets.
 

The great production costs associated with premium pellets, however, imposes considerable strain on smaller producers. Granules remain the top go-to choice for younger fish and shrimp because of their smaller size and ease of consumption. With the boom in shrimp farming closer to reaching the poles, their production is also gaining traction, but their lesser water stability poses problems, leading to increased feed wastage. In the early life stages of aquatic animals, hatcheries mostly rely on powdered feeds. While these are easy to digest and nutritionally adequate, they require extremely precise delivery systems to avoid waste, which ends up jeopardizing water quality.
 

The “others” category which comprises micro-extruded feeds or crumbles is gaining popularity for specialized uses or new species but is facing challenges with standardization and scalability. There is high focus shift on all types of feeds towards greater customization of the formulation for improved gut health and lower impact on the environment. Regarding each type of feed, economic factors and the supply of materials, especially protein sources of low ecological impact, determine the most adopted type. These factors, alongside of primary concern for new processing and formulation strategies defined by species-specific needs and economical cost, position the development of aquaculture feed extrusion as the cornerstone of growth.
 

The market is segmented into online and offline based on distribution channel. Offline channel made up 74% of the market in 2024 and expected to grow at a faster rate of 8.9% CAGR to reach a wider consumer base.
 

In the aquaculture feed extrusion market, both offline and online distribution channels have their distinct strengths and weaknesses. Offline channels, which include specialized feeders, regional distributors, and aquaculture farms, have a stronger market share due to their established relationships and sufficient supply inventory coupled with tailored support requirements. These channels are robust in areas where there is developed aquaculture, and farmers like the personal attention with flexible payments and guidance on diet formulations.
 

Conversely, offline distribution has limited coverage in peripheral regions and encounters higher operational costs. In contrast, newly available internet infrastructure leads to improved online distribution opportunities, particularly in rural and developing markets. Other ecommerce sites, as well as direct sales to farmer apps, enable even less prominent producers to obtain high quality extruded feeds at competitive prices and delivered straight to their homes. The growth on these platforms is being driven by increased interest in price illustration and comparison shopping. Small and new aquaculture farms take advantage of innovations like specialty extruded probiotic- and immune-boosting additive fortified feeds or structurally designed to float for better water quality management.
 

The aquaculture feed extrusion market is dominated by Asia Pacific, accounting for 39.3% of total revenue in 2024.
 

• The market has different growth patterns across different regions based on varying local factors and policies. Asia Pacific leads the market because of the enormous aquaculture production in China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The region has strong government support for the modernization of aquaculture practices, including subsidies for feed production. The growing middle class, along with increased seafood consumption, creates demand for extruded feeds that are less wasteful environmentally and more productive economically. In contrast, North America is experiencing slow, steady growth due to increased demand for sustainably sourced, local seafood.
   
• The U.S. and Canada are investing in land-based aquaculture systems (RAS) where precision feeding with extruded pellets takes place. This change is a response to stringent environmental policies on efficient feeding practices that promote low waste. Norway and the Netherlands, along with the rest of Europe, are recognized for having some of the most developed aquaculture infrastructure and innovations in Europe in feed technology. The EU policies promoting the use of sustainable aquafeed ingredients and lowering dependence on fisheries is motivating the region for the adoption of alternative protein sources and circular economy approaches.
   
• Latin America with leaders like Chile and Ecuador is actively developing its aquaculture industry, especially for salmon and shrimp. In this region, meeting and maintaining the appropriate feed conversion ratios and export quality level is encouraging the use of extruded feeds. However, the social infrastructure system and expenses in countryside remains a challenge.
   
• Investments in aquaculture for food security by Saudi Arabia and Egypt are emerging, alongside extruded feed being promoted through public-private alliances and regional development initiatives. Still, hurdles like arid climate zones, insufficient domestic feed mills, and reliance on imported goods hinder growth pace. The combination of each region’s distinct set of policies, dietary preferences, and stage of socio-economic development continue to determine how extruded aquaculture feed is manufactured, marketed, and sold.
   

Aquaculture Feed Extrusion Market Share

Top 5 companies include Cargill, ADM, Biomar, Skretting, Purina Animal Nutrition llc., DSM, and Aller Aqua Group. Through innovation, global supply chains, and sustainable feed options, these corporations are crucial to the development of the aquaculture feed extrusion industry. While Biomar and Skretting are leading in the development of species-specific, environmentally friendly extruded feeds, Cargill and ADM concentrate on the integration of alternative protein sources into scalable feed technologies.
 

Regionally and at a smaller scale, aquaculture is serviced by Purina and Aller Aqua who focus on volumetric regional nutritional customization. Through immune and growth enabling advanced feed additives, DSM assists. The collective efforts of these companies enhance the quality and efficiency of aquafeed production on a global scale while also being environmentally sustainable.
 

Aquaculture Feed Extrusion Market Companies

Cargill: Through species-specific nutraceutical formulations aimed at improving feed conversion rates and fish health, Cargill applies proprietary feed extrusion technology with precision nutrition. Their approach also seeks to improve the carbon footprint of the feeds by including alternative protein sources such as insect meal and algal oil. To further enhance the productivity of aquaculture farmers, Cargill digitally transforms and analyzes data to facilitate the efficient management of feeds.
 

ADM: Employing a value-chain strategy, ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) integrates the procurement of agricultural products, sophisticated processing techniques, and in-house research and development. While focusing on sustainability, ADM’s aquaculture feeds are produced under strict quality control conditions by fully automated extrusion systems which optimize digital platforms that help farmers monitor feeding practices in real time.
 

Purina Animal Nutrition llc.: Purina Animal Nutrition LLC focuses on scaling aquaculture feeds to smaller producers. They add value by controlling nutrition in their extruded products and increasing distribution to quality underserved areas of aquaculture, specifically towards the Northeastern and Latin American regions.
 

• BioMar is augmenting its extrusion capacity in Ecuador by adding four lines to produce high-performance shrimp feeds, including the EXIA Maxio diet. The company also launched the P 3.0 Concept, which allows farmers to tailor feeds to market conditions, optimizing fish product quality, and improving economic returns. ?
   
• Skretting started using AmiNova, a feed formulation concept based on ideal digestible amino acid profiles for better nutrient retention and lower nitrogen discharge. The company has also made some advances in developing alternative feed ingredients and uses sophisticated extrusion processes to create species- and life stage-specific feeds. ?
   

Aquaculture Feed Extrusion Industry News:

• In October 2021, BioMar introduces a new pellet size in the INICIO Plus product family. The new INICIO Plus pellets have a diameter size of 0.35 mm. They are optimized for covering the nutritional requirements of the smallest size fry and for giving an improved feeding experience at the very first stages of life for a fry.
   
• In 2021, Nutreco, joined forces with Unga Group Plc, a company based out of Kenya, to try & satisfy the rapidly growing need for quality protein in the East Africa region. This partnership entails evergreen, Nutreco-controlled joint ventures with two of the indirect subsidiaries of Unga Group.
   

The aquaculture feed extrusion market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in USD Billion from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Species

• Carp
• Marine shrimps
• Tilapias
• Catfishes
• Marine fishes

Market, By Feed Type

• Pellets
• Granules
• Powder
• Others

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE