Organic Feed Market Share & Trends [2033]

Organic Feed Market Overview

The Organic Feed Market size was valued at USD 8568.63 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 12971.56 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2025 to 2033.

The organic feed market has expanded rapidly in response to increasing global demand for organic livestock products, sustainable agriculture practices, and rising consumer awareness regarding chemical-free animal nutrition. In 2023, more than 13.5 million metric tons of organic feed were produced globally, with North America and Europe accounting for over 62% of the total output. Poultry feed represented the largest application segment, with more than 6.2 million metric tons utilized in organic broiler and layer operations. The demand for certified organic feed in dairy operations reached 3.4 million metric tons, supported by rising organic milk consumption. Over 30,000 certified organic livestock farms worldwide procured organic feed in 2023, an increase of 17% from the previous year.

The production of organic grains, such as corn and soybeans, used in feed processing exceeded 18 million metric tons in 2023, primarily sourced from the U.S., India, and Ukraine. Regulatory frameworks in the European Union and USDA’s National Organic Program have accelerated certification procedures, with over 2,100 new feed mills receiving organic certification globally in the past 24 months. Moreover, sustainable sourcing practices and non-GMO formulations have led to a 24% year-over-year increase in demand for specialty organic premixes and additives.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Rising consumer preference for organic dairy, meat, and poultry products.

Top Country/Region: The United States led the market with over 4.1 million metric tons of organic feed consumed in 2023.

Top Segment: Poultry feed remains the leading segment, accounting for more than 45% of total organic feed volume globally.

Organic Feed Market Trends

The organic feed market is experiencing a transformation marked by innovation, sustainability, and regional diversification. One of the most prominent trends in 2023 was the increased use of organic legumes, such as peas and lentils, in feed formulation. Over 1.1 million metric tons of organic pulses were incorporated into feed products, reducing reliance on conventional soy and meeting non-GMO requirements. Additionally, more than 860,000 metric tons of organic feed were manufactured using sprouted grains to enhance digestibility and nutrient absorption in poultry and swine.

Another significant trend is the increased inclusion of herbal additives and organic enzymes. In 2023, more than 540,000 metric tons of feed were produced using plant-based additives such as oregano, garlic, and turmeric to improve animal immunity and reduce antibiotic reliance. This reflects a 29% rise compared to 2022 levels. Probiotic inclusion in organic feed also expanded, with over 1.6 million metric tons incorporating active microbial strains.

The shift toward sustainable packaging and bulk logistics is gaining traction. In 2023, 19% of all organic feed deliveries in Europe were handled in biodegradable bags or reusable bulk containers, saving more than 12,000 tons of plastic packaging. Carbon labeling and environmental footprint tracking were introduced in over 8,000 organic feed product SKUs.

Online direct-to-farm sales platforms have expanded in countries like Germany, Australia, and the U.S., accounting for over 580,000 metric tons of organic feed sold through digital channels in 2023. This trend has enabled small-scale organic producers to access specialized rations more efficiently.

Aquaculture is emerging as a new demand driver. Over 440,000 metric tons of organic aquatic animal feed were sold in 2023, primarily for tilapia, carp, and shrimp. Feed formulations included certified marine ingredients and algae-based protein alternatives, allowing organic certification under EU and USDA aquaculture standards.

Organic Feed Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for organic animal-based products across global markets.

Organic feed demand is being driven by escalating global consumption of organic meat, milk, and eggs. In 2023, organic poultry meat production reached 1.9 million metric tons, requiring over 6.2 million metric tons of organic feed. Organic egg output exceeded 1.4 billion dozen globally. The dairy sector used more than 3.4 million metric tons of organic feed to support certified milk and cheese production. Increased regulatory backing and consumer trust in chemical-free, antibiotic-free animal farming have encouraged over 190,000 livestock producers globally to transition to certified organic systems, creating sustained demand for organic feed inputs.

RESTRAINT

High cost of organic ingredients and limited raw material availability.

One of the biggest restraints in the organic feed market is the high cost and inconsistent availability of certified organic raw materials. Organic grains such as corn and soybean meal cost up to 2.5 times more than their conventional counterparts due to labor-intensive production methods and lower crop yields. In 2023, over 5.6 million metric tons of organic soy were required for global feed applications, yet only 4.3 million metric tons were available. This shortfall caused procurement issues, especially in Asia and Africa. Additionally, reliance on imports for organic cereals increases lead times and storage requirements, limiting scalability for feed producers.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion of certified organic aquaculture and specialty livestock segments.

A promising opportunity in the organic feed market lies in the expansion of aquaculture and specialty livestock production under certified organic systems. In 2023, over 440,000 metric tons of organic aquafeed were sold, reflecting growing adoption among aquafarms in Vietnam, Norway, and Canada. Simultaneously, niche livestock segments such as organic goat, duck, and rabbit farming are gaining traction in Europe and Latin America. These segments collectively consumed more than 1.2 million metric tons of organic feed in 2023. Government incentives, such as the EU’s Green Deal and India’s National Organic Livestock Mission, are catalyzing rapid development in these areas.

CHALLENGE

Regulatory compliance and certification complexities.

A key challenge facing the organic feed industry is the complexity and variation of certification standards across different regions. In 2023, more than 12,000 metric tons of organic feed shipments were rejected at customs due to non-compliance with importing country regulations. Feed mills must comply with documentation, traceability, segregation, and inspection protocols, often varying between USDA, EU, and Japanese organic standards. Certification costs, which average between $2,000 and $6,500 per facility annually, deter smaller producers from entering the market. Maintaining organic integrity across supply chains remains a major operational hurdle, particularly in cross-border trade.

Organic Feed Market Segmentation

The organic feed market is segmented by type and application. By type, it includes powder and particle forms, while by application, it encompasses pigs, ruminants, poultry, aquatic animals, and others. In 2023, poultry remained the dominant application, followed by ruminants and pigs, accounting for over 82% of total organic feed consumption globally.

By Type

Powder: Powdered organic feed accounted for over 5.7 million metric tons in 2023, used extensively in early-stage animal nutrition and as top dressings. High solubility and easy digestion make powder forms preferred in poultry and aquatic applications. In swine starter diets, powdered feed was used in more than 680,000 metric tons globally. The inclusion of fine-ground herbs, probiotics, and vitamins in powdered blends supports precision feeding and uniform nutrient delivery.
Particle: Particle-based organic feed, often in pellet or crumble form, made up 7.8 million metric tons in 2023. Pellets dominate commercial poultry and dairy operations due to reduced wastage and improved feed intake. Over 4.2 million metric tons of organic pelleted feed were used in laying hen farms globally. The particle form ensures longer shelf life and easier handling in automated feeding systems, with the U.S. and France being the largest markets.

By Application

Pigs: Organic pig feed consumption exceeded 1.6 million metric tons in 2023. Key nutrients include fermented soybean meal, organic grains, and amino acid supplements. Europe accounted for 53% of the total, led by Denmark and Germany.
Ruminant: Ruminant feed for organic dairy and beef cattle exceeded 3.5 million metric tons. India, the U.S., and Germany led consumption. Organic silage, corn gluten meal, and molasses-based concentrates formed the bulk of the volume.
Poultry: Poultry feed remains the largest segment with over 6.2 million metric tons consumed globally. Organic broilers, layers, and breeders used customized rations enriched with organic maize, oilseeds, and herbal additives.
Aquatic Animals: Organic aquafeed demand grew to 440,000 metric tons in 2023, with algae meal, insect meal, and marine proteins forming key ingredients. Norway, Vietnam, and Ecuador are prominent buyers.
Others: Specialty feed for rabbits, ducks, goats, and turkeys reached over 850,000 metric tons. These feeds emphasize high-fiber, low-starch formulations derived from organic hay, barley, and flaxseed.

Organic Feed Market Regional Outlook

The organic feed market exhibits strong regional concentration in developed economies, with emerging adoption in Asia and Latin America.

North America

Led the market with over 4.3 million metric tons consumed in 2023. The U.S. alone used over 4.1 million metric tons, supported by over 17,000 certified organic livestock farms. The region boasts more than 160 certified organic feed mills. Poultry and dairy operations dominate demand, while aquaculture and specialty livestock feed account for 8% of total consumption. Canada added 130,000 metric tons in 2023, supported by provincial funding for organic transitions.

Europe

followed closely, consuming over 3.8 million metric tons of organic feed in 2023. Germany, France, and the Netherlands were the top three consumers, collectively accounting for 62% of regional volume. Organic certification across 27 EU countries facilitated standardized trade. Germany led in dairy feed use at 1.1 million metric tons, while France used 980,000 metric tons in organic poultry. Eastern Europe added 270,000 metric tons due to new organic farming subsidies.

Asia-Pacific

Consumed approximately 3.1 million metric tons of organic feed in 2023. China led with 1.3 million metric tons, followed by India at 980,000 metric tons. Growth in certified organic aquaculture boosted feed volumes in Thailand and Vietnam by 22%. Australia contributed 420,000 metric tons, largely driven by organic cattle and sheep farming for export. The region’s low production of organic grains poses a challenge, requiring over 1.1 million metric tons of imports in 2023.

Middle East & Africa

markets consumed around 690,000 metric tons in 2023, led by South Africa, Egypt, and the UAE. South Africa used over 240,000 metric tons for organic poultry and dairy feed. The UAE imported 120,000 metric tons for desert-based organic livestock farms. Nigeria and Kenya contributed over 180,000 metric tons combined, supported by international organic development programs. Demand is rising, but infrastructure for local organic grain production remains underdeveloped.

List of Top Organic Feed Companies

Cargill
Land O'Lakes
ForFarmers
SunOpt
Kreamer Feed
Scratch and Peck Feeds
Country Heritage Feeds
Feedex Companies
Green Mountain Feeds
Aus Organic Feed

Top Two Companies with the Highest Share

Cargill: remains the global leader in the organic feed market, with over 1.1 million metric tons distributed globally in 2023 through its dedicated organic feed division.

Land O’Lakes: follows closely, having processed and distributed more than 920,000 metric tons of organic dairy and poultry feed products across North America and Europe.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The organic feed market continues to attract significant investment from both multinational corporations and regional cooperatives aiming to capitalize on the surging demand for certified organic livestock inputs. In 2023, global investment in organic feed infrastructure surpassed 1.2 billion USD equivalent, with more than 130 new feed mills established or converted to certified organic operations. The United States led this activity, accounting for over 320 million USD in organic feed manufacturing expansions, particularly in Iowa, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.

European countries, especially Germany and the Netherlands, collectively invested over 290 million USD in organic feed production upgrades, focusing on pelletization, bioactive additive blending, and traceability technologies. In India, regional agri-cooperatives and private players launched 15 new organic feed blending units in 2023, each with a processing capacity of over 60,000 metric tons annually.

Investments in organic raw material cultivation are also on the rise. Over 280,000 hectares of farmland globally were converted to organic feed-grade grain production in 2023. In Ukraine, over 110,000 hectares were dedicated to organic corn and soy for export, with strategic partnerships established with European feed manufacturers. The U.S. government also provided incentives to transition more than 65,000 acres to organic barley and oats for livestock feed.

Digital platforms and e-commerce supply chains present new investment opportunities. In 2023, over 42 start-ups globally raised more than 150 million USD to develop software, platforms, and logistics solutions for direct-to-farm organic feed delivery. In Southeast Asia, a digital cooperative model enabled over 12,000 organic livestock farms to bulk order and receive organic feed within 3 days through blockchain-enabled traceability platforms.

Moreover, sustainability-focused investments are increasing. Over 45 organic feed producers globally committed to 100% biodegradable packaging by 2026, investing over 75 million USD collectively in 2023 to develop bio-based sacks and reusable containers. Environmental impact scoring systems were implemented in over 230 organic feed SKUs, aligning with green labeling trends in the EU and North America.

These investment opportunities are particularly robust in regions with rising organic certifications and demand for traceable animal nutrition, such as Latin America, East Africa, and ASEAN markets. As regulatory alignment improves and trade barriers ease, cross-border investments in organic feed processing, raw material sourcing, and direct retail are poised for accelerated growth in the coming years.

New Product Development

Innovation in the organic feed market is gaining momentum with a strong focus on nutritional enhancement, environmental sustainability, and precision feeding. In 2023, over 310 new organic feed products were introduced across powder and pellet formats. These products incorporated a wide range of novel ingredients, such as fermented plant proteins, insect meals, and seaweed extracts.

Kreamer Feed developed a multi-phase organic poultry feed line with seven life-stage-specific formulas, reducing feed conversion ratios by 11% and improving egg yield consistency by 8%. Country Heritage Feeds launched an organic goat ration fortified with fermented minerals and bioavailable chelates, which saw over 14,000 metric tons sold in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

Microalgae inclusion is an emerging innovation. Over 130,000 metric tons of organic feed in 2023 included spirulina and chlorella as alternative protein and pigment sources, especially in aquafeed and layer rations. Formulations using microalgae improved omega-3 content in meat and eggs by 34% on average.

SunOpt introduced a new organic piglet starter feed containing precision probiotics, yeast extracts, and sprouted grain meal, reducing post-weaning diarrhea incidence by 19%. This product was adopted by over 150 farms in Canada and Northern Europe within the first six months of release.

Enzyme-enriched organic rations gained traction, with over 430,000 metric tons incorporating phytase and cellulase enzymes derived from organic microbial fermentation. These feed variants improved nutrient absorption efficiency in ruminants and poultry and were commercialized by companies such as Green Mountain Feeds and Feedex.

Customized and on-demand organic feed formulations are rising in popularity. More than 22,000 farms globally utilized app-based tools to customize feed recipes according to breed, climate, and age, with automated feed mills producing tailored batches within 48 hours.

Packaging and delivery systems are also evolving. Aus Organic Feed introduced biodegradable wax-coated feed bags that maintain moisture balance for up to 90 days without preservatives. Approximately 87,000 metric tons of feed were delivered using this packaging innovation in 2023.

These product innovations are enhancing livestock productivity, meeting consumer demand for traceable nutrition, and pushing the organic feed sector toward more functional and sustainable outcomes.

Five Recent Developments

Cargill expanded its U.S. organic feed operations by opening a 90,000 metric ton capacity facility in Iowa in Q2 2023, focused on pelletized poultry and dairy rations.
Land O’Lakes launched a new line of organic feed additives including chelated minerals and fermented herbs in January 2024, selling over 6,800 metric tons in the first quarter.
Kreamer Feed introduced an AI-based nutrition app for precision organic feeding in March 2023, with 4,200 farms subscribing by end of the year.
Scratch and Peck Feeds completed a shift to 100% regenerative organic grain sourcing by Q4 2023, reducing its carbon footprint per metric ton of feed by 21%.
Green Mountain Feeds established a partnership with an algae protein supplier in March 2024 to create omega-3-enriched organic feed for poultry and aquaculture applications, targeting 30,000 metric tons annually.

Report Coverage of Organic Feed Market

The comprehensive report on the organic feed market provides an in-depth analysis of global production, consumption, pricing dynamics, product innovation, and regional performance from 2020 through 2024, with projections through 2030. Covering over 30 countries and five continents, the report maps out trends in feed type, ingredient sourcing, livestock categories, and regulatory frameworks.

The report evaluates volume-based data with insights into more than 60 organic-certified feed mills and over 45 raw ingredient suppliers. It includes detailed segmentation by type—powder and particle—and by application across pigs, ruminants, poultry, aquatic animals, and others. The top-consuming nations, including the U.S., Germany, China, India, and France, are profiled with annual consumption data and infrastructure coverage.

Comprehensive manufacturer profiles of ten leading companies include production capacities, distribution networks, product portfolios, and sustainability initiatives. The report documents feed formulation innovations, raw material substitution trends, and ingredient traceability standards adopted globally.

The report also outlines the impact of trade dynamics, including the movement of over 2.4 million metric tons of organic soy, maize, and wheat across international borders in 2023 alone. Market access barriers, such as certification differences between USDA and EU organic standards, are addressed with solutions and risk forecasts.

Sustainability benchmarks, such as packaging impact, CO₂ footprint per metric ton, and animal performance metrics from feed interventions, are included for top brands. The report tracks over 270 feed product SKUs across market shelves, cataloging pricing trends, protein and energy values, and shelf life attributes.

Investment trends, government subsidy programs, and export-import trends are also thoroughly examined, with emphasis on organic aquaculture, direct-to-farm digital platforms, and regional infrastructure gaps. The report offers strategic insights for investors, feed manufacturers, regulators, and organic farmers, ensuring comprehensive decision-making support for all stakeholders in the global organic feed industry.