Feed Acidulants Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Organic Acidulants {Formic Acid, Propionic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Fumaric Acid, Malic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Acetic Acid}, Blended Acidulants), By Form (Dry and Liquid), By Source (Synthetic and Natural), By Animal (Poultry, Swine, Ruminants, Aquaculture and Pets) and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

The global feed acidulants market size was valued at USD 3.76 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 3.92 billion in 2025 to USD 5.61 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.27% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the global market with a share of 39.1% in 2024.

Feed acidulants are a type of feed additive that is used in animal nutrition to regulate the acidity of feed. It helps to improve the digestibility and overall nutritional quality of the animal feed. Such additives help to improve gut health, microbial control, and feed stability, and several manufacturers incorporate them in their product formulations.

Companies such as BASF SE, Yara International ASA, and Eastman Chemical Company are key players in this market. Rising awareness of animal health and gut health is supporting the growth of the feed acidulants market. 

MARKET DYNAMICS

MARKET DRIVERS

Ban and Restrictions on the Usage of Chemical Antibiotics to Support the Feed Acidulants Market Growth

The heavy use of chemical antibiotics to treat disease is banned to prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be transmitted to humans through direct contact, contaminated food, or the environment. Hence, in Europe and Asia, governments have implemented bans and restrictions on the use of antibiotics in livestock feed, replacing them with organic feed acidulants as natural antimicrobial alternatives. Therefore, organic acids such as formic, propionic, and lactic acids are increasingly used by animal farm owners to maintain gut health and prevent pathogen growth in animals.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Fluctuations in Raw Material Production May Slow Down The Market

Organic acidulants, such as fumaric acid and lactic acid, are challenging to manufacture; advanced technology is necessary for the large-scale fermentation of these products. This makes the price of such materials costly. Moreover, volatility in the production of raw materials, such as natural gas or sugar, and trade disruptions can directly impact the cost, which in turn increases the price of the products. Storing feed acidulates is also challenging as they have a strong odor and undergo rapid degradation. These factors impede the feed acidulants market growth.

MARKET OPPORTUNITY

Development of Encapsulated Formulations Supports Product Innovation

As organic feed acidulants undergo rapid degradation, which can reduce their efficacy, manufacturers are encapsulating these products to ensure better efficiency and absorption by the animal's digestive tract. The companies are developing such encapsulated products, positioning them as premium, high-performance solutions for animals. As such products are gaining popularity among large animal farm owners, companies such as BASF, Perstorp, Kemin, DSM, and ADD-CON are heavily investing in R&D to optimize encapsulation materials and develop high-quality products for the market.

FEED ACIDULANTS MARKET TRENDS

Growing Focus on Sustainable and Bio-Based Production Is the Key Trend Influencing The Market

Feed manufacturers are sourcing bio-based organic acids to develop environment friendly, sustainable solutions for the consumers. Such products are appealing to feed producers who are developing ESG-aligned supply chains. Moreover, such products also offer improved bioavailability of the ingredients and safety profiles for the animals, creating a strong demand among farm owners, especially in developed economies.

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Segmentation Analysis

By Source

Organic Acidulants Account for The Major Market Share Due To Efficacy in Gut Health Management

The market is divided by type into organic acidulants and blended acidulants. The organic segment is further segmented into propionic acid, formic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, and others.

The organic segment accounted for the largest market share during the forecast period. Such products are highly effective at lowering gastrointestinal pH, reducing the production of harming bacteria in the intestine. These health benefits of these products help to promote gut health and productivity in poultry, swine, and aquaculture species.

The blended segment is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.24% over the forecast period. Such a synergistic combination of products helps to enhance gut health, enhance nutrient utilization, and improve feed conversion ratios (FCR) across multiple animal species.

By Form

Dry/Powder Accounts for Major Market Share Due To Easier Transportation and Cost Efficiency

The market is segmented by form into dry/powder form and liquid form.

The dry/powder form segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024. As such products prevent the risks of product spillage, prevent equipment corrosion, making them safe to use. Such dried products are odorless, which simplifies storage and transportation. The increasing demand for improved shelf stability in animal feed supports the growth of this particular segment.

 The liquid form is another major segment expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.10% during the forecast period. This form is readily soluble in water and feed, allowing for fast and uniform acidification.

By Source

Synthetic Account for Major Market Share Due to Cost Efficiency and Large-Scale Availability

The market is segmented by source into synthetic and natural.

The synthetic segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024. Such products are manufactured on a large scale, which enables economies of scale, making them more cost-effective compared to natural alternatives. Industrial production also helps to ensure high purity, uniform concentration, and batch-to-batch consistency.

 The natural segment is another major segment that is expected to grow by 5.71% during the forecast period. As consumers favor “natural,” “eco-friendly,” and “non-GMO” ingredients across the food and feed value chain, the popularity of such segments continues to increase..

By Animal

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Rising Consumer Demand for Safe And Antibiotic-Free Poultry Products Leads Poultry Segment

The market is segmented by animal into poultry, swine, ruminants, aquaculture, and pets.

Poultry accounted for the highest market share in 2024 and holds a major share in the feed acidulants market. Poultry meat and eggs are the most consumed animal proteins globally. As feed acidulants provide fast, measurable benefits in a short time, they help improve growth rate, ensure growth uniformity, and enhance feed intake efficiency.

 Swine is another major category with a CAGR of 5.25% during the forecast period. As swine have a sensitive digestive system use of such products helps in better feed utilization, weight gain, and reduces post-weaning diarrhea, thus increasing young pig health and survival.

Feed Acidulants Market Regional Outlook

By region, the market is categorized into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Asia Pacific

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The Asia Pacific feed acidulants market is valued at USD 1.47 billion in 2024, and is also one of the largest in terms of global feed acidulants market share. The Asia Pacific market is estimated to reach USD 1.53 billion by 2025. The region is one of the largest products of animal protein products in the world. There is a strong demand for animal protein among consumers, which drives the need for animal feed products in the region. China, India, Japan, and other countries are increasingly adopting such products to enhance animal health and provide optimized nutrition to their animals. In this region, China and India are estimated to reach USD 0.66 billion and USD 0.24 billion, each, in 2025.

South America

Over the forecast period, South America is expected to experience significant growth in this market. The South America market in 2025 is set to record USD 1.13 billion. South American governments and poultry integrators are progressively reducing the use of animal feed. As Brazil and Argentina are the major exporters of meat, they must comply with the food safety regulations of importing countries, which has led to an increase in the adoption of natural acidulants in animal feed in this region.

Europe

The European market is projected to reach USD 0.60 billion by 2025, securing its position as the second-largest region in the market. According to Regulation (EC) No. 1831/2003, feed manufacturers must use safe and functional additives, such as organic acids, in their products and replace antibiotics with growth promoters in their formulations. This strong, favorable regulatory policy is the major factor behind the growth of organic animal feed in the market. As it aligns with the clean label products initiative, they are widely used in several feed products that are sold in this region.  During the forecast period, the European region is projected to record a growth rate of 4.94%. Backed by these factors, countries such as Germany are expected to record valuations of USD 0.13 billion, France USD 0.06 billion, and the U.K. USD 0.05 billion in 2025.

North America

The market in North America is estimated to reach USD 0.24 billion in 2025. The region is home to some of the largest feed manufacturing companies, including Cargill, ADM, Tyson, and Alltech, among others, which are developing scientifically formulated, safe industrial feed solutions for poultry, swine, and dairy use. As such products have been established as a proven alternative to antibiotic-based products, the demand continues to rise for organic raw materials-based product formations.  In 2025, the U.S. market is estimated to reach USD 0.17 billion. According to the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD), in 2017, the US restricted the use of growth-promoting antibiotics, prompting several feed manufacturers to utilize natural and safe ingredients in formulating their products for animals.

Middle East & Africa

In the Middle East & Africa, South Africa's feed acidulants market forecast is set to grow at a CAGR of 4.43% during the forecast period. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, and the UAE are investing heavily in commercial feed manufacturing to reduce their dependence on imports, which in turn is acting as a major factor supporting the market’s growth.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Key Industry Players

Product Portfolio Diversification Is the Key Strategy Used To Differentiate Products

The market exhibits a moderately concentrated structure, where large multinational companies hold a significant market share, and smaller niche players also compete for a higher market share. Companies are expanding their product lines in the blended acidulants category, offering improved efficacy for various animal species. Advanced encapsulation technologies are also being developed to enhance the performance of the products. Moreover, some companies are providing expert solutions to help farmer-owners understand ways to feed these products to the animals. 

LIST OF KEY FEED ACIDULANTS COMPANIES PROFILED

• BASF SE (Germany)
• Yara International ASA (Norway)
• Eastman Chemical Company (U.S.)
• Koninklijke DSM N.V. (Netherlands)
• Corbion N.V. (Netherlands)
• Perstorp Holding (Sweden)
• Kemin Industries, Inc. (U.S.)
• Peterlabs Holdings Berhad (Malaysia)
• Nutrex N.V. (Belgium)
• Tate & Lyle PLC (U.K.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• August 2025 – RD LifeSciences launched a feed additive named SPEC-7O, which is designed to support optimal health and performance in ruminants, poultry, swine, equine, and aquaculture.  
• October 2024 – Phibro Animal Health Corporation acquired a medicated feed additive portfolio and water-soluble products from Zoetis Inc. This acquisition supported the company's expansion of feed additive capabilities.
• April 2021 - Eastman Chemical Company acquired 3F Feed & Food (Spain) for USD 70 Million. This acquisition helped to expand Eastman’s feed additives portfolio in the organic acid derivatives category.
• February 2019 - Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) acquired Neovia for USD 1.73 billion. This acquisition helped the company expand its animal nutrition business and strengthen its position in the feed acidulants market.

REPORT COVERAGE

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Report Scope & Segmentation