Citrus Pulp Pellets Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Form (Orange-based, Grapefruit-based, and Others), Application (Swine Feed, Dairy Feed, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

The global citrus pulp pellets market size was USD 670.1 million in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 689.5 million in 2021 to USD 858.4 million by 2028 at a CAGR of 3.18% during the 2021 to 2028 period. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with witnessing a negative impact on demand across all regions amid the pandemic. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a lower growth of 2.1% in 2020 as compared to the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2019. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Citrus pulp pellets are dried forms of feed manufactured from residual peel and seeds of citrus fruits such as orange, grapefruits, and others. These residual forms of feed are generally available in the form of bags or bulk materials. Citrus pulp pellets packaging requires low concentration and moisture as higher levels of humidity and moisture promotes mite infestation and quality deterioration. These pulp pellets are the most consumed animal feed products and second in line after corn pellets. Its increasing consumption among end-users and the growing citrus fruit (orange and grapefruit) production across several regions create an opportunistic market for manufacturers and retailers.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Disturbance in Supply Chain Due to Stringent COVID-19 Regulations May Hamper Market

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the supply chain of inputs for livestock farming and the sale of end products. Most of the regions such as North America and Europe are dependent on Asia Pacific for cheap feedstock for animals. Since the pandemic has resulted in the lockdown of countries' borders, the demand for livestock healthy feed products, including citrus-based pellets, has gradually declined during the past few months. However, the recovery of the economy in the post-COVID-19 period, on the other hand, is expected to stimulate demand for dairy and meat products, which will promote the expansion of the citrus pup pellets industry.

LATEST TRENDS

Gaining Popularity among Livestock Owners Owing to its Superior Nutrition Value

Pulp pellets have gained appeal as a livestock feed in recent years, owing to their high nutritional value and carbohydrate concentration, which is driving the market expansion. The rising trend for organic food and dairy product is forcing the livestock owners to provide an enriched diet to the animals. Moreover, the high content of vitamins and plant compounds in citrus pulp pellets, coupled with rich sources of fiber, is propelling the trend for increased use of citrus-based pellets.

DRIVING FACTORS

High Energy Content With High Rate of Water Absorption is Boosting Market Growth

A gradual shift toward agro-based industrial by-products such as feedstuffs/feed ingredients is gaining more popularity than the conventional type. Agro-based feedstuffs are considered more economical in nature in comparison to their counterparts. Citrus-based pulp pellets have a high level of fiber content to meet the nutrients required for growth, reproduction, and maintenance of health.  Due to the high content of fiber, the water absorption capacity of the product also increases. Since livestock prefers to drink water in short bursts, the water-holding capacity of these pellets is ideal. Moreover, high phytonutrients, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, in citrus fruits, such as lemon, grapefruits, and oranges, fulfill the dietary need for animals, thus boosting the demand for citrus pulp pellets.

Presence of High Total Digestible Nutrient (TDN) is Fueling Demand for Citrus Pulp Pellet

It is estimated that around 13.0 million tons of total digestible nutrients (TDN) are consumed by animals annually. Citrus pulp pellet has high nutritional values due to a high content of readily fermentable carbohydrates that contain high energy substrates for ruminal microbes. Ruminal microbes contain both soluble carbohydrates and digestible neutral detergent fiber in a fraction. The feedstock is widely used for feeding beef and cattle who are in their adolescent stage. It is estimated that 40% of the dried citrus pulp can be used in the diet for cattle to avoid any flattening among the cattle. These products are considered to be unsuitable for feeding milking cows to avoid a decrease in milk production. Furthermore, it is estimated that only 9-15% of the liquid is obtained, out of which 60 to 75% are the sugar that can be concentrated to become citrus molasses. Therefore, such key benefits obtained from these pulp pellets due to high TDN content is fueling the citrus pulp pellets market growth.

Increasing Livestock Count and Requirement for Nutritional Diet is Expected to Provide an Opportunity for Market Growth

The growing count of livestock for personal as well industrial consumption in various forms has grown rapidly during the previous period. The count for livestock is rising due to several consumable products being served by the livestock industry. Services and consumable food and beverages products such as meat, dairy, skin, and others are having high demand across the globe. Moreover, due to the rising human population and to fulfill the requirements, livestock numbers have been increasing and are expected to keep growing during the forecast period. A sudden rise in commercial livestock farms is further expected to provide an opportunity for the market to grow.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Short Life Cycle of the Product Due to High Moisture is restraining the market growth

Commercial obstacles to the expanding demand for citrus pulp pellets include fluctuating composition within agro-based industrial products, short product life spans, and restricted availability of raw materials for production. The presence of high level of moisture content acts as a restraining factor to the market growth as it shortens the product lifecycle. Furthermore, the high competition from its competitor products such as corn pellets and the growth of toxins such as aflatoxins further restrain the market growth.

SEGMENTATION

By Form Analysis

Orange-Based Segment to Account for Major Citrus Pulp Pellets Market Share

By form, the market is categorized into orange-based, grapefruit-based, and others.

The orange-based pulp pellets segment accounts for the major share due to the increasing popularity among livestock feed owners and high availability of raw material. Its superior nutrition properties make it a prominent alternative in swine feed and dairy feed.

The grapefruit-based segment is estimated to grow significantly during the forecast period. Continuous innovation in this market and product development to add more nutritious value may support the market growth.

By Application Analysis

Swine Feed to Emerge as the Fastest-growing Segment

By application, the market is segmented into swine feed, dairy feed, and others.

Citrus pulp pellets are widely used for swine feed owing to its superior nutritional properties. They are rich in fibers and vitamins. Also, it is a good source of healthy nutrients, which is useful in improving livestock health. It is estimated that the swine feed application segment will grow significantly in the near future.

Citrus pulp pellet accounts for 30-50% share in the dairy rations in the citrus-growing areas as it has more economic advantage and very palatable feed.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Asia Pacific to Hold Largest Market Share due to High Livestock Population

On regional evaluation, it is estimated that Asia Pacific is considered the significant consumers of citrus-based pulp pellets due to a considerably high livestock population compared to the others regions. Several emerging countries, such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the rest of the ASEAN countries, will drive the growth of this market owing to increasing awareness regarding livestock nutrition, increasing per capita income, and several other factors.

Europe is estimated to be the second-largest importer for citrus pulp pellets, due to the high demand for dairy-based products. Also, North America is estimated to hold a significant market share due to the presence of key market players such as Nestlé, Kraft Heinz Co, and others. Furthermore, Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the fastest rate with an approximate CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period.

The Europe market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.36% during the forecast period. South America and Middle East & Africa are currently small markets. Still, they are projected to grow with high CAGR during the forecast period due to the growing popularity of animal nutrition in livestock farming.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Companies to Focusing on Product Development to Increase the Brand Value

The market is moderately fragmented due to a significant number of established and regional players, particularly in developed regions such as North America and Europe. Companies, such as Louis Dreyfus Citrus, SAF Feed & Food, and LaBudde Group Inc., are focusing on product development by investing more in research and development activities to improve brand image by offering better products.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Louis Dreyfus Citrus (Rotterdam, Netherlands)


• Furst-McNess Company (Illinois, U.S.)


• LaBudde Group Inc. (Wisconsin, U.S.)


• Suwannee Valley Feeds LLC (Florida, U.S.)


• KW Alternative Feeds (West Yorkshire, U.K.)


• Cefetra Group (Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland)


• Lhoist (Limelette, Belgium)


• Citrosuco North America, Inc. (Florida, U.S.)


• Citrus Products of Belize Limited (CPBL) (Belize City, Belize)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• December 2017: Furst-McNess Company acquired Big Gain Wisconsin LLC, based out of Lodi, Wisconsin. The agreement joins two already strong livestock feed and nutrition companies into one that will be better suited to serve the needs of the livestock producers in Wisconsin and other Midwestern states of the United States.

REPORT COVERAGE

The global citrus pulp pellets market report provides qualitative and quantitative insights into the market. It also offers a detailed analysis of the market size and growth rate for all possible segments in the market. Various key insights presented in the report are an overview of related markets, recent industry developments, such as mergers & acquisitions, the regulatory scenario in critical countries, and key industry trends.

Report Scope & Segmentation