Global feed production increased by 2.9 percent in 2025 to reach an estimated 1.44 billion metric tonnes, according to the Alltech Agri-Food Outlook 2026, released April 21.
Now in its 15th year, the annual global feed survey collected data from 142 countries and 38,837 feed mills, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the global livestock feed industry. The data suggests a strong recovery phase for animal agriculture; however, growth was uneven, increasingly regionalised, and driven less by herd expansion than by structural change, productivity gains, and shifts in how production is measured and recorded.
Top 10 feed-producing countries
The top 10 feed-producing countries remained unchanged between 2024 and 2025. Together, these 10 countries produced 65.2 percent of the world’s feed in 2025, with the top three – China, the United States, and Brazil – accounting for 47.7 percent of all global feed tonnage.
| Rank | Country | Production (million mt) | Change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 330.06 | +4.8% |
| 2 | United States | 267.38 | -0.8% |
| 3 | Brazil | 89.90 | +2.8% |
| 4 | India | 57.73 | +4.5% |
| 5 | Mexico | 41.88 | +1.2% |
| 6 | Russia | 38.35 | +1.1% |
| 7 | Spain | 37.51 | -3.4% |
| 8 | Vietnam | 26.52 | +2.6% |
| 9 | Türkiye | 25.48 | +3.8% |
| 10 | Japan | 24.01 | -1.3% |
Production by species
All major species recorded growth in 2025, with aquaculture leading the way:
- Broiler remained the largest segment at 400.38 million tonnes, up 3.7 percent, driven by global demand for affordable protein
- Pig followed at 380.91 million tonnes, up 3.0 percent, with recovery in Asian herds
- Layer reached 180.13 million tonnes, up 3.2 percent, supported by stable egg demand
- Dairy rose 2.6 percent to 170.29 million tonnes
- Beef increased modestly by 0.5 percent to 134.18 million tonnes, constrained by tight cattle cycles
- Aquaculture recorded the strongest growth at 4.7 percent, reaching 55.47 million tonnes, driven by expanding global seafood demand
- Pet grew 2.4 percent to 39.28 million tonnes
- Equine remained stable at 10.19 million tonnes, up 0.2 percent
Alltech Agri-Food Outlook 2026 regional analysis
Asia (559.30 million tonnes): Asia remained the global centre of feed production, with growth shaped by industrialisation and price-conscious consumers increasing demand for poultry and aquaculture. Continued shifts from on-farm mixing to commercial feed, especially in China, supported record output. Southeast Asia entered a rebuild-and-export cycle, with sow herd recovery lifting pork output. However, disease outbreaks remain a consistent challenge.
North America (288.62 million tonnes): North American feed tonnage contracted modestly by 0.7 percent, primarily due to a historically tight cattle cycle and declining beef herd dynamics. The region still saw selective momentum, with growth concentrated in broilers and dairy. Pork feed stabilised, while egg and turkey sectors remained in recovery following health-related disruptions. Operational efficiency gains, sustainability pressures, and consolidation continue to reshape the industry.
Europe (274.06 million tonnes): Europe’s feed sector grew by 1.0 percent, demonstrating broad resilience. Lower raw material prices, supported by large global harvests of soybeans, rapeseed, wheat, and maize, improved margins and stimulated production. Despite ongoing disease pressure and regulatory constraints, the region stabilised overall. Modest gains in dairy and broilers offset pressure in other segments.
Latin America (204.45 million tonnes): Latin America solidified its position as the world’s premier ‘protein basket,’ expanding 2.8 percent. Growth was broad-based, particularly in poultry, pork, and aquaculture, supported by strong export markets and lower grain prices. Localised disruptions in parts of the Andean and Caribbean sub-regions tempered overall expansion.
Africa and Middle East (102.55 million tonnes): This region experienced divergence. Africa expanded strongly at 11.5 percent on commercialisation and rising compound feed penetration, while the Middle East entered a structural plateau at 1.1 percent growth. Across both sub-regions, three forces shaped performance: protein affordability, input vulnerability driven by grain prices and currency volatility, and continued disease disruptions.
Oceania (11.10 million tonnes): Oceania showed broad-based gains of 3.4 percent, supported by population growth, resilient livestock sectors, and strong export demand. High feedlot numbers and elevated cattle inventories sustained record beef production, particularly in Australia at 11 percent growth.
The compound feed production totals were collected in the first quarter of 2026 with assistance from feed mills and industry and government entities worldwide.
