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Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives Market

The market for Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives was estimated at $4.6 billion in 2025; it is anticipated to increase to $6.7 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $9.6 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1903010
Author:Debadatta Patel - Senior Consultant
Published Date:
Datatree
Food & Beverage
Animal Feeds
Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives
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Market Data
Methodology
Table of Contents

Global Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives Market Outlook

Revenue, 2025

$4.6B

Forecast, 2035

$9.6B

CAGR, 2026 - 2035

7.6%

The Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives industry revenue is expected to be around $4.6 billion in 2026 and expected to showcase growth with 7.6% CAGR between 2026 and 2035. This positive outlook positions Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives as a core enabler of cleaner, more sustainable animal production systems, as livestock producers respond to tightening regulations on antibiotic growth promoters, rising consumer expectations for residue-free meat and dairy, and the need to optimize feed efficiency under volatile grain prices. Demand is particularly strong in poultry feed and ruminant nutrition, where producers are leveraging plant-based livestock nutrition solutions and phytogenic feed additives to boost performance, support gut integrity, and reduce reliance on synthetic additives. The dominance of the Extracts & Bioactives product type, which generated about $1.95 billion in sales in 2025, underlines the market’s transition toward standardized, science-backed natural animal feed ingredients that deliver consistent outcomes in terms of animal health, productivity, and farm profitability.

Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives encompass a broad portfolio of plant-derived extracts, bioactive compounds, essential oils, spices, and fibers formulated to act as gut health enhancers, immune modulators, and palatability agents across multiple livestock and aquaculture species. Key features include their natural origin, compatibility with antibiotic-free production systems, lower residue risk, and multifunctional benefits that span digestion support, oxidative stress reduction, and improved feed conversion. Major applications are concentrated in poultry and ruminant segments, which together account for approximately 65.9% of global demand, alongside growing use in swine, aquaculture, and pet food where functional feed solutions and higher welfare standards are becoming critical differentiators. Recent trends driving demand include the rapid adoption of precision-formulated phytogenic feed additives, increased integration of botanical blends into premixes and compound feeds, and a stronger focus on regional sourcing and circular agriculture to align Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives with broader sustainability and climate objectives.

Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2025-2035
Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives Market Outlook

Market Key Insights

  • The Plant-based Animal Feed Additives market is projected to grow from $4.6 billion in 2025 to $9.6 billion in 2035. This represents a CAGR of 7.6%, reflecting rising demand across Poultry, Ruminant, and Aquatic.

  • Cargill Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, and Koninklijke DSM NV are among the leading players in this market, shaping its competitive landscape.

  • U.S. and China are the top markets within the Plant Based Animal Feed Additives market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 4.9% to 7.3% between 2025 and 2030.

  • Emerging markets including Indonesia, Nigeria and South Korea are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 8.7% to 10.5%.

  • Transition like Embracing Sustainable Practices is expected to add $533 million to the Plant Based Animal Feed Additives market growth by 2030.

  • The Plant Based Animal Feed Additives market is set to add $5.0 billion between 2025 and 2035, with manufacturer targeting Ruminant & Aquatic Application projected to gain a larger market share.

  • With

    increasing awareness towards animal health, and

    Environmental Sustainability and Ethical Farming Practices, Plant Based Animal Feed Additives market to expand 108% between 2025 and 2035.

plant based animal feed additives market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032
Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives - Country Share Analysis

Opportunities in the Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives

Growing regulatory and retailer pressure for antibiotic-free aquaculture is also opening a high-growth channel for Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives in salmon and shrimp value chains. Globally, Proteins and Extracts & Bioactives together will expand from $3.18 billion in 2025 to roughly $4.59 billion by 2030, with bioactives growing fastest at 8.4% CAGR. In aquafeed, phyto-protein concentrates, functional fibers, and gut health enhancers will see strongest uptake, supported by co-development partnerships between feed mills, seafood exporters, and sustainability certifiers.

Growth Opportunities in Asia Pacific and Europe

In Asia Pacific, Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives are most relevant to poultry feed, with strong spill-over potential in aquatic nutrition as integrated producers seek natural animal feed additives that improve feed conversion and disease resilience. Key drivers include rapid poultry meat and egg consumption growth, tightening restrictions on antibiotic growth promoters, and the availability of low-cost plant-based feed ingredients such as oilseed meals, pulses, and locally sourced botanicals. Top opportunities lie in cost-efficient phytogenic feed additives and herbal feed supplements tailored to broilers, layers, carp, and shrimp, supported by region-specific trials that quantify performance gains and mortality reduction. Competition is intense, with regional feed mills and domestic extract manufacturers offering low-priced blends, so success depends on differentiated formulations, robust technical service, and co-branded sustainable livestock nutrition programs with leading integrators.
In Europe, ruminant nutrition is the leading application focus for Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives, particularly in dairy herds, followed by high-value poultry segments that prioritize welfare and antibiotic-free production. Market drivers include stringent regulatory pressure on synthetic additives, ambitious climate and biodiversity targets, and retailer-led demand for verifiable low-carbon, clean-label animal protein. Top opportunities center on premium natural animal feed additives that enhance rumen efficiency, reduce enteric emissions, and support gut integrity, including standardized essential-oil blends, algae-based ingredients, and advanced phytogenic feed additives compatible with organic and non-GMO schemes. The competitive landscape is mature and innovation-led, dominated by established nutrition companies and specialized botanical players, which raises entry barriers around regulatory compliance, dossier quality, and proof of efficacy; targeted investment in validated trials, sustainability certifications, and joint development with cooperatives and feed formulators is critical for successful positioning.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Increasing Demand for Sustainable Livestock Nutrition and Antibiotic-Free Animal Production

The plant based animal feed additives market is also significantly driven by growing demand for sustainable livestock nutrition and the shift toward antibiotic-free animal production. Sustainable nutrition reflects an industry trend where producers aim to reduce environmental impact and improve animal welfare by integrating natural feed solutions that enhance digestive health and nutrient utilization. Plant based additives such as phytogenics, essential oils, and herbal extracts provide bioactive compounds that support gut microbiota, enabling better feed conversion and reduced emissions in poultry, ruminant, and aquaculture sectors. Concurrently, antibiotic-free production has also gained traction due to regulatory restrictions and consumer preferences for residue-free animal products. Natural additives help replace conventional antibiotic growth promoters by improving immunity and performance without contributing to antimicrobial resistance. These combined growth factors are also influencing feed formulation strategies, encouraging innovation in botanical-based ingredients and supporting market expansion across diversified livestock systems globally.
Precision nutrition and advanced feed formulation technologies are also reshaping how plant based animal feed additives are also developed and utilized. Precision nutrition leverages data analytics, gut microbiome insights, and nutritional modeling to tailor additive inclusion for specific species, life stages, and production goals. This niche trend allows feed manufacturers to optimize performance outcomes while minimizing waste and environmental impact. Technological advancements in encapsulation, microencapsulation, and targeted delivery systems enhance the stability, bioavailability, and efficacy of plant based compounds such as polyphenols and phytochemicals. These innovations help meet performance expectations in poultry, ruminant, and aquatic applications while aligning with sustainability and animal health objectives.
02

Restraint: High Cost of Plant Based Additives Compared With Conventional Alternatives Limits Adoption

The premium pricing of plant based animal feed additives compared with synthetic or traditional additives remains a key market restraint. Many small and mid-sized livestock producers face tight profit margins and opt for lower-cost growth promoters or mineral supplements, especially when feed cost volatility rises. For example, phytogenic and botanical extracts often cost more per ton of feed, which can reduce purchase volume and slow revenue growth for suppliers. High ingredient sourcing costs also affect scalability, leading some feed formulators to limit plant based inclusion rates despite proven health benefits. This dynamic alters market demand behavior by concentrating adoption among larger producers with sustainability mandates or premium product strategies.
03

Opportunity: Functional poultry feed solutions in fast-growing Southeast Asian markets and High-margin pet nutrition using herbal additives in North America

Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives are poised to capture rising demand in poultry operations across Southeast Asia, where integrators seek natural feed additives to support antibiotic-free production, sustainable livestock nutrition, and compliance. Extracts & Bioactives, already the largest global segment at about $1.95 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $2.92 billion by 2030, will grow fastest in broiler and layer rations, driven by phytogenic gut health enhancers, natural mycotoxin binders, and collaborative R&D with regional premix manufacturers and contract farming-led integrated supply chains.
Rising-humanization of companion animals is accelerating demand for premium, plant-based pet food, creating a lucrative niche for Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives in North America. Fibers & Prebiotics, growing globally from $0.92 billion in 2025 to $1.32 billion by 2030, will outpace proteins in this segment as functional fibers, herbal feed additives, and plant-derived bioactives are formulated for digestive health, coat quality, and weight control, supported by strategic alliances between petfood brands, ingredient innovators, and veterinary nutritionists across the premium and therapeutic categories.
04

Challenge: Inconsistent Efficacy Data and Lack of Standardized Performance Metrics Restrict Market Confidence

A significant challenge for plant based animal feed additives is the inconsistency in efficacy data and absence of standardized performance metrics. Variability in formulation, dosages, and animal responses can make it difficult for producers to predict outcomes, leading to hesitation in switching from established additives. For instance, studies on herb extracts or essential oils may show mixed results in growth performance or immune support, which impacts product credibility and slows purchasing decisions. Without universally accepted testing protocols or benchmarks, feed manufacturers face barriers to justifying investment in plant based solutions. This uncertainty can constrain revenue growth and deter broader industry uptake in feed additive portfolios.

Supply Chain Landscape

1

Raw Material Sourcing

Cargill IncorporatedArcher Daniels Midland Company
2

Ingredient Processing

Archer Daniels Midland CompanyKoninklijke DSM NV
3

Plant-Based Feed Additives

Kemin Industries Inc.Adisseo France SAS
4

End-Use Applications

Commercial poultry farmingIndustrial livestock production
Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives - Supply Chain

Use Cases of Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives in Poultry & Ruminant

Poultry : Plant based animal feed additives in poultry nutrition typically include phytogenics, essential oils, herbal extracts, probiotics, and prebiotics that support gut health, immune function, and growth performance in broilers and layers. These natural compounds help improve feed conversion ratios, reduce disease incidence, and replace antibiotic growth promoters in antibiotic-free poultry production systems, driving demand among intensive and free-range producers alike. Key market players such as Cargill, ADM, Kemin Industries, and Delacon Biotechnik provide phytogenic blends and botanical extracts tailored for poultry, leveraging strong R&D capabilities, global distribution, and a focus on sustainable livestock nutrition to strengthen their competitive positions in this high-growth segment.
Ruminant : In ruminant applications, plant based feed additives often involve botanical extracts, seaweed-derived supplements, legumes, and essential fatty acids that enhance rumen fermentation, improve nutrient absorption, and support milk production and overall herd health. Additives like seaweed-based ingredients such as Asparagopsis can also help reduce methane emissions from cattle, aligning with sustainability goals in dairy and beef sectors. Suppliers like Cargill, DSM, and Alltech deliver specialized phytogenic and plant extract products that address digestive balance, immune resilience, and milk yield, combining scientific research with global scale to meet evolving sustainability and performance demands in ruminant nutrition.
Aquatic : Plant based feed additives for aquatic species such as fish and shrimp focus on phytogenics, essential oils, and herbal extracts that improve feed digestibility, bolster immune responses, and enhance growth in aquaculture operations. These natural additives help reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals, support disease resistance, and improve feed conversion ratios in both freshwater and marine environments. Market participants like Kemin, Pancosma, and Novus International are expanding offerings tailored for aquaculture, emphasizing product stability, ease of formulation, and regulatory acceptance. Their global reach and R&D focus enable aquafeed producers to adopt sustainable nutrition solutions that enhance animal welfare and operational efficiency.

Recent Developments

Recent developments in plant based animal feed additives highlight strategic investments in natural phytogenics, probiotics, and botanical extracts to support gut health and replace antibiotic growth promoters. Companies are integrating precision nutrition and advanced formulation technologies to improve feed efficiency and livestock performance across poultry, ruminant, and aquaculture sectors. A key market trend is the growing focus on sustainable livestock nutrition driven by regulatory pressures and consumer demand for clean label animal products, strengthening demand for eco-friendly, high performance feed solutions.

August 2025 : DSM-Firmenich’s Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) division inaugurated a new state-of-the-art feed additive manufacturing facility in Jadcherla (Hyderabad), India, enhancing local production of its Mycofix and other additive solutions. This strategic investment supports the company’s growth in the Asia-Pacific animal feed market and improves supply chain responsiveness for livestock and aquaculture customers. The plant increases production capacity and aligns with regional demand for high-quality feed additives and mycotoxin risk management solutions.
January 2024 : Archer Daniels Midland Company expanded its animal nutrition portfolio by acquiring PT Trouw Nutrition Indonesia’s premix and feed additive business, including automated premix production sites in Surabaya and Cibitung. This acquisition strengthens ADM’s functional feed additive and premix presence in Southeast Asia, helping meet rising demand for advanced nutrition solutions in livestock and poultry production. 

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives Market

As a core segment of the Animal Feeds industry, the Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Embracing Sustainable Practices and Technological Advancements Propel Market Growth have redefined priorities across the Animal Feeds sector, influencing how the Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Embracing Sustainable Practices

The accelerated shift toward sustainable livestock production is transforming the Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives market from a niche solution into a mainstream growth engine, with the Embracing Sustainable Practices transition alone projected to add approximately $533 million to market growth by 2030. Rising demand for eco friendly animal nutrition, strengthened regulatory focus on lower-emission farming, and producer preference for natural feed ingredients are driving rapid adoption of Plant-Based Animal Feed Additives that enhance animal health while mitigating environmental impact. As sustainable livestock farming models scale, plant-based and herbal feed additives, functional feed ingredients, and non-GMO feed solutions are becoming strategic levers for differentiation, enabling feed manufacturers and integrators to reduce carbon footprint, capture premium pricing, and secure long-term competitiveness in a transitioning animal nutrition ecosystem.
02

Technological Advancements Propel Market Growth

Technological advancements are significantly reshaping the plant based animal feed additives market by improving how bioactive compounds are developed, processed, and applied. Innovations in extraction technologies such as supercritical fluid extraction and enzymatic processing are enabling manufacturers to obtain higher purity phytogenics and plant extracts with consistent efficacy. Biotechnology applications, including fermentation and microbial enhancement, are further improving additive stability and bioavailability. These advancements are influencing associated industries such as poultry, dairy, and aquaculture, where precision nutrition and optimized feed efficiency are becoming priorities. For example, advanced encapsulation technologies allow additives to withstand pelleting and digestion, improving performance outcomes. This transition supports higher productivity, reduced feed waste, and aligns with smart farming practices, reinforcing the shift toward technology driven and sustainable livestock production systems.