Amino acids have many functions in animals such as maintaining health, improving immunity, improving metabolic functions, ensuring optimal growth and reducing nitrogen emission. Deficiency of certain amino acids in animal nutrition leads to decreased immune and metabolic responses. Therefore, some amino acid species are added to animal feeds in pure form or as part of a mixture to meet the specific nutritional needs of different animal species. The global market value of these amino acids used as feed additives is estimated to be USD 7.26 billion in 2023.
By Derya Yildiz
Amino acids, the basic building blocks that make up proteins, are defined in chemistry as organic compounds containing both an amino group (-NH3+) and a carboxylate group (-COO-). There are 20 different amino acids used to form a protein, and these can form one or more chains of amino acids known as polypeptides.
Amino acids have a critical role in both humans and animals. In humans, for example, they are characterised by a variety of functions ranging from the breakdown of food to the repair of body tissue, from the promotion of growth to the maintenance of pH balance. Scientific sources point out that 20 types of amino acids are needed for the proper functioning of the human body.
Similarly, in animals, amino acids have many functions such as maintaining health, improving immunity, improving metabolic functions, ensuring optimal growth and reducing nitrogen emission. It has been reported that a deficiency of certain amino acids in animal diets can lead to reduced immune and metabolic responses, which can make animals more vulnerable to disease and in some severe cases can even result in death.
Furthermore, most of the structures (e.g. muscle) and metabolic reactions (e.g. enzymes, hormones) in animal tissue are catalysed by proteins. Therefore, protein synthesis is essential for the maintenance of the life process.
CLASSIFICATION OF AMINO ACIDS IN ANIMALS
There are more than 300 different types of amino acids known to exist in nature. About 20 of these are important components of proteins in animals and are associated with muscles, connective tissues, skin, feathers, hair, horns, blood, enzymes and hormones.
Amino acids essential for animals are generally classified into two main categories. The first of these is essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are a group of amino acids that the animal cannot synthesise on its own. In order for animals to fulfil their normal functions, these amino acids must be taken from outside through feeding. Essential amino acids include phenylalanine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, arginine (included in the non-essential amino acid group in some sources) and valine. These amino acids are usually added to animal feed in pure form or as part of a mixture to meet the specific nutritional needs of different animal species.
The second category of amino acids is non-essential amino acids. Non-essential amino acids are amino acids that can be synthesised in the animal’s body. This group includes alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, tyrosine, glycine, proline, hydroxyproline and serine.
FEED AMINO ACID MARKET AND FORECASTS
According to a report by Market Research Future, the feed amino acids market size will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3% between 2022 and 2030, reaching USD 49.5 billion. However, this data does not coincide with the data of many other research companies. For example, according to Verified Market Research’s (VMR) May 2023 report, the global feed amino acids market, which was USD 5.34 billion in 2021, will grow at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2023 to 2030, reaching USD 8.88 billion by 2030.
The report prepared by Future Market Insights (FMR) also provides forecasts closer to the VMR report. According to FMR’s report on the feed amino acid market, the market size will be around USD 7.81 billion in 2023. The report forecasts that the market will grow at a CAGR of 5.5% and reach USD 13.34 billion by the end of 2033. FMR also estimates that the total market value of the global amino acid market will be USD 61.47 billion in 2026.
Another research company that points to data more in line with VMR and FMR is Acumen Research and Consulting. According to Acumen’s report, the global feed amino acids market size was realised at USD 7.1 billion in 2022. The company forecasts that the market will grow at a CAGR of 5.7% between 2023 and 2032 and reach a size of USD 12.4 billion in 2032.
The report prepared by Global Market Insights also reveals that the current size of the market is USD 7.4 billion in 2022. Forecasting that the market will grow at a CAGR of 5.5%, the company predicts that the average size will be USD 12.7 billion in 2032.
Except for the report prepared by Market Research Future, the market size estimates in the reports recently updated by the other 4 research companies seem to be quite consistent. An average calculation based on the estimated data in these four consistent reports shows that the global feed amino acids market will have a size of USD 7.26 billion in 2023, grow at a CAGR of 5.65% between 2023 and 2032 and reach a size of USD 11.89 billion in 2032.
FACTORS SUPPORTING MARKET DEVELOPMENT
With the exponential increase in human population and disposable income worldwide, increasing consumer demand for animal proteins, especially meat products, is one of the most important factors supporting the development of the market. This demand leads to an increase in livestock breeding activities and consequently feed demand. In addition, the importance of amino acids, especially essential amino acids that cannot be synthesised by animals, for animal health and performance supports their use in feed formulations and contributes to the growth of the market. Increasing awareness of animal nutritionists and farmers, focusing more on productivity in order to meet the increasing demand for animal protein, the need to increase feed efficiency at lower costs, animal welfare concerns and the need to reduce the use of antibiotics are considered as other important supporting factors that will contribute to the growth of the market.
FACTORS RESTRICTING MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Due to the impact of animal husbandry on environmental sustainability, food safety and similar reasons, the number of regulatory legislations for animal producers is increasing day by day. In addition, developments in the alternative protein market are also accelerating due to the changing preferences of consumers. It is thought that the rapid development in the alternative protein market and strict regulatory legislations may pose a significant obstacle to the growth of the feed amino acids market.
In addition, the price factor is also seen to be important at this point. Due to the high price of amino acids, amino acid-based feeds are more expensive than conventional feeds. Although the higher price of amino acid-based feed can offer numerous benefits, including improved animal health and productivity, it is estimated that it can be a significant barrier for farmers and feed producers, especially in developing countries where cost sensitivity is more pronounced.
Raw material supply is also considered to be another restricting factor. According to reports, disruptions in the supply and price fluctuations of raw materials such as maize, soya, wheat and other grains required to produce amino acids can hamper the growth of the market by directly affecting producers.
MARKET DEVELOPMENT BY PRODUCT TYPE
The feed amino acids market is growing predominantly through the group of essential amino acids (threonine, tryptophan, methionine, lysine and others) that cannot be synthesised by animals. The threonine segment in this group is estimated to be the fastest growing segment among other amino acid types. Threonine is characterised as a preferred amino acid in animal feed formulations, especially in monogastric animal nutrition such as pigs and poultry, as it improves protein synthesis and weight gain and helps maintain immunity and intestinal integrity.
MARKET SITUATION IN TERMS OF ANIMAL SPECIES
In terms of animal type, the aquaculture segment is projected to gain significant growth momentum in the feed amino acids market. This growth is attributed to the increasing demand for fish and other seafood, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. However, in aquaculture, one of the fastest growing sectors in the food industry, the utilisation of feed amino acids, including lysine, methionine and tryptophan, is essential for the growth and development of fish and other aquatic species. The growth in the aquaculture segment is expected to continue in the coming years owing to various factors such as increasing demand for fish and other seafood, growing awareness about the importance of sustainable aquaculture practices, and advancements in aquaculture technology.
In terms of animal species, pigs are another prominent species in the amino acids market. The use of amino acids in swine feed is expected to continue to increase. According to reports, as the demand for high-protein pork continues to increase, there will be a greater need for fortified feeds to improve pig health. Moreover, the need for feed additives such as amino acids is also increasing due to the spread of infectious diseases among pigs and the emergence of new epidemics such as African swine fever (ASF).
MARKET DEVELOPMENT ON REGIONAL BASIS
North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific are the prominent regions in the global amino acid market. On a global scale, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to maintain its dominance in the market owing to high livestock production activities and continuously evolving livestock production methods. Asia Pacific, home to some of the world’s most populous countries such as China and India, is estimated to hold more than 38% of the global feed amino acids market in 2022. Farmers are becoming more conscious to achieve high productivity targets and significant growth in the aquaculture sector is fuelling the demand for feed amino acids in this region. In addition, rapid industrialisation and urbanisation have helped increase the per capita income level in the region, and the increase in the level of disposable income has increased the demand for protein-rich foods, which are cited as the most important reasons for the region’s influence in the global market.
In the global amino acid market, it is estimated that North America will follow the Asia Pacific region, while Europe will continue to maintain its current strength in the market.
SOME FEED AMINO ACID SUPPLIERS IN THE WORLD:
• Adisseo
• ADM
• Ajinomoto
• Alltech
• AminoSib JSC
• AMixCo Premix
• Anhui Huaheng Biotechnology
• Balchem
• Baoding Mantong Fine Chemistry
• BASF
• Bio-chem Technology Group
• Cargill
• Chattem Chemicals
• China BBCA Group Corporation
• Chongqing Unisplendour Chemical
• CJ Bio America
• CJ CheilJedang
• CJ do Brasil
• Daesang Corp.
• Donbiotech
• dsm-firmenich
• Evonik Industries
• Fufeng Group
• GEO Specialty Chemicals
• Hebei Donghua Chemical Group
• Hebei Huayang Group
• Heilongjiang Chengfu Food Group
• Henan HDF Chemical
• Henan Julong Biological Engineering
• IFF (Danisco Animal Nutrition)
• Kemin Industries
• Koudijs Mkorma
• Kyowa Hakko Bio
• Land O’Lakes
• Linghua Group
• Meihua Group
• MeiHua Holdings Group Co., Ltd.
• METabolic EXplorer
• Milk Specialties Global
• Mitsui & Co.
• Multi Vita
• Nagase & Co.
• NB Group
• Newtrend Group
• Ningxia Eppen Biotech
• Ningxia Unisplendour Tianhua Methionine
• Novus International
• Nutreco
• Nutriad
• Phibro Animal Health
• Prinova Group
• Prioskolye CJSC
• Saratov Biotechnologies
• Shaanxi Sciphar Hi-Tech Industry
• Shandong Shouguang Juneng Group Golden Corn
• Shantou Jiahe Biological Technology
• Shijiazhuang Donghua Jinlong Chemical
• Shijiazhuang Shixing Amino Acid
• Shijiazhuang Zexing Amino Acid
• Star Lake Bioscience
• Sumitomo Chemical
• Sunrise Nutrachem Group
• Taiwan Amino Acids
• Vedan International
• Volzhsky Orgsynthese
• Welding GmbH
• Zhaoqing Guangdong
• Zhejiang NHU
• Zhejiang Shenghua Biok Biology
References:
1. Proteins – A Guide to the Principles of Animal Nutrition (oregonstate.education)
2. Amino Acids for Animal Health | Kemin Asia Pacific
3. Amino acid – Wikipedia
4. Feed Amino Acids Market Size, Share & Trend by 2033 | FMI (futuremarketinsights.com)
5. Feed Amino Acids Market Size, Share, Trends | Forecast 2032 (acumenresearchandconsulting.com)
6. Feed Amino Acids Market Size and Forecasts (2020 – 2030), Global and Regional Share, Trends, and Growth Opportunity Analysis (theinsightpartners.com)
7. Feed Amino Acids Market Statistics | Global Trends Report, 2032 (gminsights.com)
8. Feed Amino Acids Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth By 2030 (marketresearchfuture.com)
9. Animal Feed Amino Acids Market Size, Share, Trends & Forecast (verifiedmarketresearch.com)
