The global animal feed additives market is expected to reach USD 19.54 billion by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing protein demand, especially in Asia Pacific and Latin America, is expected to be a key driver for additive demand over the next six years.
In addition, various disease outbreaks in livestock animals such as swine flu and foot & mouth diseases in the past decade have led to increased regulations on meat quality and safety which further has prompted the use of feed additives, according to the study. Raw material and product cost concerns, especially over specialty products such as enzymes, acidifiers and trace minerals is expected to be a key issue for market participants over the next six years.
Amino acids such as lysine, methionine, tryptophan and threonine emerged as the leading product segment, accounting for 31.2% of total market revenue in 2012. Amino acids are essential for the growth of animals, especially swine and poultry. Industrial lysine also has advantages over its natural substitute (soybean) which has been driving the global market. Amino acids were followed by antibiotics which accounted for 26.8% of total market revenue in 2012. Antibiotics have been banned in the US and in Europe, and are expected to witness demand primarily from unregulated markets, especially in Asia and Latin America. Feed acidifiers are expected to be the fastest growing products in the overall market, at an estimated CAGR of 6.4% from 2014 to 2020.