Floating Fish Feed Market Analysis & Forecast: 2025-2032

Floating Fish Feed Market Trends – 2025 to 2032

Floating Fish Feed Market is estimated to be valued at USD 10.91 Bn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 15.05 Bn in 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2025 to 2032.

Key Takeaways

• By Ingredient Type, Plant-based feeds are expected to dominate the market in 2025, owing to their sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and reduced environmental impact. These feeds utilize ingredients such as soybean, corn, and canola, aligning with the industry's shift towards eco-friendly alternatives
• Based on End-User Application Segment, the commercial fish farming segment is anticipated to lead the floating fish feed market in 2025. This dominance is attributed to the rising demand for fish as a protein source and the growth of aquaculture practices worldwide.
• By Fish Species, Tilapia is expected to dominate the market in 2025 due to its high adaptability, rapid growth, and global farming presence.
• By Form, Extruded pellets are projected to dominate in 2025, favored for their digestibility, nutrient density, and stability in water.
• By Distribution Channel, direct sales are expected to dominate due to bulk purchases by commercial fish farms seeking consistency and cost-efficiency
• By Fish Farm Size, Large-scale fish farms are anticipated to lead the market due to their significant consumption capacity and need for consistent, high-quality feed.
• By Additives and Nutrients, Protein-rich feeds are expected to dominate, driven by their role in enhancing fish growth and yield.
• On the basis of Region, North America is projected to lead the global floating fish feed market in 2025, accounting for over 30% of the market share. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for aquaculture products, rising disposable incomes, and growing awareness about the nutritional benefits of fish.

Market Overview

The floating fish feed market refers to the segment of the aquaculture industry that produces and distributes commercially manufactured feed designed to float on the surface of the water. Floating fish feed is an essential resource for fish farmers, as it is used to provide balanced nutrition to various species of farmed fish. The advantage of floating feed is that it allows farmers to observe the feeding behaviour of their fish, adjust feeding quantities to avoid overfeeding, and reduce waste as the uneaten feed can be easily removed from the water.

Current Events and Its Impact

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Import Export Analysis of Fish Feed

From October 2023 to September 2024 (TTM), India exported 2,071 shipments of fish feed, involving 183 exporters and 341 buyers, representing a 5% increase compared to the previous year. In September 2024 alone, India shipped 272 fish feed consignments, showing a 55% year-on-year growth from September 2023, while maintaining steady exports compared to August 2024.

On the global stage, Vietnam, India, and China are the top exporters of fish feed. Vietnam leads with 29,808 shipments, followed by India with 10,131 shipments, and China in third place with 7,195 shipments.

Segmental Insights

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Floating Fish Feed Market Insights, By Ingredient Type:  Plant-based feeds are expected to dominate the market owing to their sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and reduced environmental impact

By Ingredient Type, plant-based feeds are expected to dominate the Floating Fish Feed market in 2025 with a share of 35%, driven by increasing emphasis on sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental stewardship. These feeds, formulated using ingredients such as soybean, corn, and canola, align with a broader industry shift toward eco-friendly agricultural practices and reduced reliance on marine and synthetic feed components. Growing concerns over the environmental impact of traditional feed ingredients—particularly fishmeal and fish oil—have prompted urgent calls for sustainable plant-based alternatives. For example, in the aquaculture sector, a recent report by FAIRR highlighted the financial risks of overreliance on marine-derived feed inputs in salmon farming. The report urged increased investment in alternative ingredients like soy, algae, and insect protein to avoid long-term sustainability and supply chain risks. This is further proliferating the floating fish market revenue.

Floating Fish Feed Market Insights, Based on Application Segment:  The commercial fish farming segment is anticipated to lead the floating fish feed market. This dominance is attributed to the rising demand for fish as a protein source and the growth of aquaculture practices

Within the global floating fish feed market by application, the Commercial Fish Farming segment is projected to hold the largest share and dominate in 2025, driven by the escalating demand for fish as a sustainable and high-quality protein source. Floating feeds offer improved feed efficiency, water quality management, and ease of monitoring, which are critical factors for large-scale aquaculture operations. The expansion of commercial aquaculture enterprises—especially in regions investing heavily in offshore and technologically advanced fish farms—is further boosting floating fish feed market demand. For instance, in 2024, Norway marked a major milestone with the official handover of a giant floating fish farm, designed to significantly scale up offshore salmon production. The structure, named Ocean Farm 1, represents a leap in aquaculture innovation, enabling controlled, high-volume farming in open waters while minimizing environmental footprint. Such developments signal a clear trajectory toward intensified commercial fish farming, which in turn is expected to propel the floating fish feed market share.

Floating Fish Feed Market Insights, By End-User Application Segment:  Commercial fish farming are expected to be the primary end-users, the increasing scale of fish farming activities necessitates efficient and high-quality feed to ensure optimal fish growth and health

Within the global floating fish feed market by end-user, Commercial fish farming are expected to dominate in 2025, driven by the rapid expansion of fish farming to meet growing global demand for protein-rich, sustainable food sources. As aquaculture scales up, the need for efficient, high-quality floating feeds becomes critical to ensure optimal fish health, feed conversion, and growth performance. These operations rely heavily on feeds that remain buoyant, minimize waste, and support water quality, making them integral to intensive farming systems.

Floating Fish Feed Market Insights, By Fish Species: Tilapia is expected to dominate the market in 2025 due to its high adaptability, rapid growth, and global farming presence

By Fish Species, Tilapia is projected to dominate the global aquaculture market in 2025, owing to its adaptability, rapid growth, and extensive global farming presence. These characteristics make Tilapia a preferred choice for both small-scale and commercial aquaculture operations worldwide. Tilapia's resilience and efficient feed conversion have contributed to its widespread adoption in various regions. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Tilapia is now the second most farmed fish species globally, with aquaculture production reaching over 6 million tons annually. This growth is attributed to the species' ability to thrive in diverse environments and its suitability for farming in developing countries with limited resources. This is further proliferating the floating fish market share.

Floating Fish Feed Market Insights, By Distribution Channel:  Direct Sales are expected to dominate due to bulk purchases by commercial fish farms seeking consistency and cost-efficiency

By Distribution Channel, direct sales are anticipated to dominate the floating fish feed market in 2025, primarily due to bulk purchasing by commercial aquaculture operations seeking consistency, cost-efficiency, and streamlined logistics. This approach allows large-scale fish farms to secure high-quality feed directly from manufacturers, ensuring reliable supply chains and tailored nutritional formulations. For instance, a study examining aquafeed business models in Zambia and Malawi found that major feed producers, such as Novatek, Aller Aqua, and Skretting, predominantly sell directly to commercial farms and selected distributors. This direct sales model enables these manufacturers to supply large volumes of high-quality feeds with superior feed conversion rates, catering specifically to the needs of commercial aquaculture operations.

Floating Fish Feed Market Insights, By Form:  Extruded pellets are projected to dominate in 2025, favored for their digestibility, nutrient density, and stability in water

By Form, extruded pellets are projected to dominate the floating fish feed market in 2025, owing to their superior digestibility, nutrient density, and stability in water. These characteristics make them highly suitable for commercial aquaculture operations focused on maximizing feed efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. Extruded feeds maintain their structure in water longer than traditional pellets, reducing waste and enhancing feed intake monitoring—crucial for modern intensive fish farming systems. Scientific research reinforces this trend. A study on spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus) demonstrated that the physical characteristics of extruded pellets significantly influence digestion kinetics, stomach emptying rates, and water absorption, leading to better nutrient uptake and growth . Similarly, research published in Animals found that juvenile tench fed with extruded feed exhibited superior growth and improved gut health compared to those given pelleted feed . These findings highlight the increasing preference for extruded pellets in aquaculture, aligning with industry needs for consistent, high-performance feed solutions.

Floating Fish Feed Market Insights, By Fish Farm Size:  Large-scale fish farms are anticipated to lead the market due to their significant consumption capacity and need for consistent, high-quality feed.

By Fish Farm Size, large-scale fish farms are expected to dominate the floating fish feed market in 2025, owing to their substantial feed consumption capacity and the critical need for consistent, high-quality nutrition to support intensive production systems. These operations typically require bulk volumes of feed with reliable nutrient profiles to ensure optimal fish health and rapid growth, thus driving demand for industrial-grade feed solutions. Their economies of scale also allow them to invest in advanced feed technologies and infrastructure, enhancing overall efficiency and productivity. A compelling example is Egypt’s mega fish farm project, which illustrates the increasing global reliance on large-scale aquaculture for food security and economic development.

Floating Fish Feed Market Insights, By Additives and Nutrients: Protein-rich feeds are expected to dominate, driven by their role in enhancing fish growth and yield

By Additives and Nutrients, protein-rich feeds are expected to dominate the floating fish feed market in 2025, driven by their essential role in improving fish growth, survival, and overall productivity. These feeds provide the amino acid profiles necessary for optimal development, making them a cornerstone of modern aquaculture practices. As fish farms expand and aim for higher efficiency, the demand for consistent, high-quality protein sources is accelerating, especially among commercial-scale producers who prioritize yield and feed conversion ratios. For example, a recent study published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems highlights the importance of protein quality and formulation in aquafeed sustainability. The emphasizes that selecting appropriate protein sources—whether animal-based or plant-based—directly influences growth performance and environmental outcomes in aquaculture systems. This underscores the industry’s pivot toward high-protein formulations that not only support fish health but also align with broader goals of feed efficiency and sustainability, positioning protein-rich feeds as the dominant category in the years ahead.

Regional Insights

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North America Floating Fish Feed Market Trends

North America is projected to hold the largest share of the global floating fish feed market in 2025, accounting for over 30% of the market. This growth is fueled by rising demand for aquaculture products, higher disposable incomes, and greater awareness of fish as a healthy protein source. The U.S. and Canada are seeing expanded aquaculture operations supported by investments in sustainable technologies. For example, in April 2025, the White House released a comprehensive executive order to increase domestic seafood production and aquaculture, with the goal of strengthening the United States' position in the global seafood industry.

Europe Floating Fish Feed Market Trends

Europe is expected to be the second-largest market for floating fish feed in 2025. This growth is driven by a rapidly expanding aquaculture industry and strict regulatory frameworks that restrict the use of antibiotics in fish feed, increasing demand for high-quality, sustainable alternatives. Countries like Norway and Scotland play a central role, with their established salmon farming sectors contributing significantly to the rising need for nutritionally optimized floating feeds. Moreover, Europe’s focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing is pushing innovation in feed development. For example, the European Lunar Hatch project, explores closed-loop aquaculture systems for farming sea bass in space, aiming to create waste-free, high-efficiency feed cycles. These developments collectively underscore Europe’s influential role in driving sustainable growth and innovation within the global floating fish feed market.

Asia Pacific Floating Fish Feed Market Trends

The Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest-growing market for floating fish feed, capturing more than 20% of the global market share in 2025. This rapid growth is fueled by increasing demand for fish protein, spurred by population growth and evolving dietary preferences. Countries such as China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia are expanding their aquaculture practices, backed by strong government initiatives and subsidies aimed at promoting sustainable fish farming. For instance, government-led projects in China focus on enhancing feed efficiency and boosting fish production capacity through technology and infrastructure upgrades. In Vietnam, aquaculture feed production increased by 15.6% in February 2025, reflecting the country’s growing focus on improving fish farming outputs . Meanwhile, Indonesia has implemented innovative practices like integrated rice-fish farming, where fish are raised in flooded rice fields, creating a sustainable and symbiotic agricultural model that reduces input costs and enhances food production. These developments highlight Asia Pacific’s emerging prominence and critical influence on the future trajectory of the floating fish feed market.

Bangladesh Floating Fish Feed Market Trends

Bangladesh's floating fish feed market is growing steadily, driven by the expansion of aquaculture and a shift toward efficient feeding methods. As of 2020, 22% of all aquaculture feed used in the country was floating feed, reflecting its increasing adoption due to benefits like better feed conversion and reduced water pollution . Feed production rose from 0.8 to 1.5 million tonnes between 2013 and 2016, with 186 feed mills now operating nationwide. Floating feeds, mainly produced using extrusion technology, are especially popular in tilapia farming.

India Floating Fish Feed Market Trends

Biofloc aquaculture is rapidly expanding in India, particularly in Goa, where production rose from 2 tonnes in 2021–22 to over 22 tonnes in 2022–23. This system converts waste into microbial protein, reducing water usage and external feed dependence. However, floating fish feed remains essential during early growth stages and for species requiring supplemental nutrition. As a result, India’s floating fish feed market is evolving to offer specialized, biofloc-compatible feeds that support efficient growth while aligning with sustainability goals.

Floating Fish Feed Market Drivers

Growth in Aquaculture Industry

The expansion of the aquaculture industry, driven by increasing demand for fish and seafood products, has been a significant driver for the floating fish feed market. As wild fish stocks deplete, fish farming becomes a vital source of fish production, necessitating the use of nutritionally balanced and efficient floating fish feeds.

Rising Global Population and Income Levels

The world's population continues to grow, along with an increase in disposable incomes in developing countries. As a result, the demand for fish as a healthy protein source has been on the rise, further propelling the growth of the aquaculture sector and, in turn, the floating fish feed market.

Floating Fish Feed Market Opportunities: Increasing Demand for Sustainable Aquaculture

The growing awareness of environmental sustainability and responsible aquaculture practices has created an opportunity for producers of floating fish feeds to develop and market feeds that minimize environmental impact, reduce waste, and promote eco-friendly aquaculture.

Floating Fish Feed Market Threats: Dependency on Aquaculture Industry

The floating fish feed market is closely linked to the aquaculture industry's growth and performance. Any adverse factors affecting the aquaculture sector, such as disease outbreaks, environmental concerns, or economic downturns, can directly impact the demand for fish feed and pose a restraint to the market's expansion.

Market Report Scope

Floating Fish Feed Market Report Coverage

Analyst Opinion (Expert Opinion)

• The floating fish feed segment is poised for transformative growth, driven less by volume alone and more by the increasing sophistication in feed formulations that address sustainability and efficiency in aquaculture. What stands out is how the demand for nutritionally optimized, eco-friendly floating feeds is rapidly outpacing traditional sinking feeds, particularly in regions with advanced aquaculture sectors like Southeast Asia and Latin America.
• Consider Vietnam’s aquaculture industry: a recent study showed that farmers switching to high-quality floating feeds observed a 15-20% improvement in feed conversion ratios (FCR), which directly reduces operational costs and environmental impact. This isn't just incremental improvement; it fundamentally alters the profitability and sustainability model for fish farmers. The shift towards floating feeds with enhanced protein sources—such as insect-based ingredients or algae-derived components—is reshaping the market by offering tailored nutrition that reduces waste and improves fish health.
• Moreover, the rise in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and cage farming necessitates floating feeds that maintain integrity on water longer, preventing nutrient loss. In Norway, for example, leading feed manufacturers have reported a 30% reduction in feed wastage due to advanced floating pellet technology, directly contributing to better water quality and regulatory compliance—a critical factor as environmental scrutiny tightens globally.
• From a strategic standpoint, companies that invest heavily in R&D to innovate floating feed formulations that leverage alternative protein sources and optimize pellet durability will not just capture market share but redefine operational benchmarks for the aquaculture industry. The days of generic feed are numbered; the future belongs to precision nutrition that aligns economic viability with environmental stewardship.

New product launches

• In May 2025, China launched deep-sea salmon farming vessel to reduce the dependency on imported seafood through offshore aquaculture.
• In January 2025, JD.com partnered with a tech firm to launch a vertically integrated aquaculture farm, hatchery, and processing facility in Guangdong province, aiming to supply fresh fish to customers nationwide.
• In September 2024, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) launched Abu Dhabi’s first sea cage aquaculture project near Delma Island in Al Dhafra. The initiative aims to support research on cultivating local fish species with floating cages and establish sustainable environmental protocols for sea-based aquaculture in the region.
• In April 2023, Maharashtra Feeds inaugurated a fish feed mill in India with an annual production capacity of 35,000 metric tons. The company plans to supply feed across North, Central, Eastern, and parts of Western India.

Market Segmentation

• By Ingredient Type
  • Plant-based feed
  • Animal-based feed
  • Cereal-based feed
  • Others (e.g., fishmeal, soybean meal, fish oil, etc.)
• By Fish Species
  • Tilapia
  • Carp
  • Catfish
  • Salmon
  • Trout
  • Others (e.g., bass, bream, pangasius, etc.)
• By Form
  • Extruded pellets
  • Floating sticks
  • Floating crumbs
  • Others (e.g., granules, powder, etc.)
• By End User Application
  • Commercial fish farming
  • Ornamental fish
  • Others (e.g., fish in aquariums, recreational fishing, etc.)
• By Distribution Channel
  • Direct sales
  • Retail stores
  • Online platforms
  • Others (e.g., distributors, wholesalers, etc.)
• By Fish Farm Size
  • Small-scale fish farms
  • Medium-scale fish farms
  • Large-scale fish farms
• By Additives and Nutrients
  • Protein-rich feeds
  • Vitamin-fortified feeds
  • Organic feeds
  • Others (e.g., probiotics, prebiotics, amino acids, etc.)
• By Region
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East and Africa
• Company Profiles
  • Cargill, Incorporated
  • Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)
  • Skretting (a part of Nutreco)
  • Aller Aqua Group
  • BioMar Group
  • Ridley Corporation Limited
  • Purina Animal Nutrition (a subsidiary of Land O'Lakes)
  • Nutriad International NV (acquired by ADM in 2018)
  • BENEO GmbH
  • Dibaq Aquaculture

Sources

Primary Research Interviews from the following stakeholders

• Interviews with aquaculture farm owners, feed manufacturers, fisheries department officials, aquaculture consultants, nutrition experts, and industry technologists focusing on floating feed formulation and adoption trends.
• Specific stakeholders Hatchery managers, technical sales managers, aquaculture R&D specialists, feed production supervisors, government officials in fisheries departments, and floating feed machinery vendors.

Databases

• Scopus
• Web of Science
• ScienceDirect
• AGRIS (FAO)
• PubMed

Magazines

• Feed Strategy
• Aquaculture North America
• The Fish Site Magazine
• International Aquafeed
• Aqua Culture Asia Pacific

Journals

• Aquaculture
• Aquaculture Nutrition
• Journal of Applied Aquaculture
• Aquaculture Reports
• Reviews in Aquaculture

Newspapers

• The Times of India – Agriculture & Fisheries Section
• The Hindu – Business & Rural Affairs
• Business Standard – Agribusiness
• The Economic Times – Commodity News
• Financial Express – Fisheries & Aqua News

Associations

• Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• World Aquaculture Society (WAS)
• National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – Fisheries & Aquaculture Department

Public Domain Sources

• Government of India – Department of Fisheries Reports
• State Fisheries Department Annual Reports
• FAO Aquaculture Statistics
• World Bank Aquaculture Development Reports
• ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology Publications

Proprietary Elements

• Internal aquaculture farm survey data on feed usage patterns and preferences
• Historical floating feed consumption data and growth trends
• Customized expert interviews with industry stakeholders across India
• Benchmark analysis and market modeling based on proprietary data synthesis