Mycotoxins, a common problem in livestock farming, have a significant impact on animal health and the profitability of production. In addition, these toxic substances, which can also enter the food chain through animal products, pose a serious risk to human health. Therefore, the management of mycotoxins in livestock farming is extremely important. The need for feed mycotoxin binders, which are widely used to reduce or eliminate the risks posed by mycotoxins, is increasing with global climate change. Forecasts indicate that the global feed mycotoxin binders market will grow at a CAGR of 4.7% between 2023 and 2030, reaching a size of USD 3.49 billion.
By Derya Yildiz
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced naturally by certain types of moulds (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium). These moulds can produce mycotoxins in many foodstuffs, such as cereals, oilseeds, nuts, dried fruits, and spices, especially under hot and humid conditions. Mycotoxins pose a significant risk to food safety and animal health. The most widely known mycotoxin species include aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin, patulin, deoxynivalenol (DON), trichothecene, and zearalenone. These toxins can enter the food chain through contaminated crops or animal products and threaten human health. Aflatoxins, in particular, are harmful to human and animal health and are a critical part of food safety concerns. Therefore, detection and management of mycotoxins are important.
Feed mycotoxin binders are feed additives used in mycotoxin management to bind, neutralise and prevent mycotoxins from entering the bloodstream. These binders used in animal feed effectively bind mycotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract of animals and prevent their absorption.
EFFECTS OF MYCOTOXINS AND MYCOTOXIN BINDERS USED IN ANIMAL FEED
Mycotoxins, a common problem in livestock farming, have a significant impact on animal health and the profitability of production. It is known that these toxins can cause a number of health problems in livestock, such as reduced growth rates, suppression of the immune system, and increased susceptibility to diseases. Therefore, the use of mycotoxin binders in animal feeds helps to reduce the mycotoxin load in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing mycotoxicosis and deterioration of animal health due to mycotoxins; in particular, it helps to maintain intestinal health. Likewise, these binders improve the quality of feed and feed raw materials, contribute to productivity in animal production, reduce economic losses, and reduce the risks that mycotoxins may pose to food safety.
Mycotoxin binders, which play an important role in protecting animal health and production profits to prevent diseases caused by mycotoxins, are broadly categorised into two groups: inorganic and organic binders. The inorganic binders group consists of mineral-based binders such as clay (e.g., bentonite, montmorillonite), which typically work by absorbing mycotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. The group of organic binders is derived from natural sources such as yeast cell walls, algae, and plant extracts. Binders in this group usually bind mycotoxins and change their chemical structure, making them less harmful.
FEED MYCOTOXIN BINDERS MARKET AND FORECASTS
The global feed mycotoxin binders market is expected to show strong growth over the next few years, according to a report by The Business Research Company. Estimating the market to be worth USD 2.55 billion in 2023, the research firm forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5 percent in 2024, with the market reaching USD 2.71 billion. The company predicts that the growth will continue with a CAGR of 6.7% in the following years and points out that the total market size will be USD 3.52 billion in 2028.
According to Verified Market Research’s (VMR) February 2024 report, the global feed mycotoxin binders market, which was valued at USD 2.54 billion in 2023, will reach USD 3.51 billion by 2030 (end-2029), growing at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period 2024-2030.
The report prepared by Persistence Market Research offers similar forecasts. According to Persistence’s report on the mycotoxin binders market, the market size is around USD 2.3 billion in 2023. The report predicts that the market will grow at a CAGR of 5% in the coming years and reach USD 3.7 billion in 2033.
Precision Business Insights, a research company that points to higher values for the current size of the market, reveals in its report that the global mycotoxin binders market size is USD 2.9 billion in 2022. The company estimates that the market will grow at a CAGR of 3.9% between 2023 and 2029. In this case, it can be said that the market will reach a size of approximately USD 3.7 billion in 2029.
The report prepared by Market Research.com also reveals that the current size of the market will be USD 2.1 billion in 2022. Forecasting that the market will grow at a CAGR of 2%, the company predicts that the average size will be USD 2.4 billion by 2029. This implies a much lower growth potential compared to the projections of other research companies.
The estimates of the current size of the market by 5 different research companies, which we have taken into consideration, are close to each other, although they differ slightly. Based on an average calculation based on the data in these 5 reports, it is possible to estimate that the global feed mycotoxin binders market will have a size of USD 2.5 billion in 2023, grow at a CAGR of 4.7% between 2023 and 2030, and reach a size of USD 3.49 billion in 2030.
FACTORS SUPPORTING MARKET DEVELOPMENT
The increasing risk of mycotoxin contamination in animal feed due to climate change and its threat to both animal health and food safety increase the importance of mycotoxin management. As a result, the market for mycotoxin binders is expected to show significant growth in the coming years.
Animal breeders are becoming more aware of the detrimental effects of mycotoxins on animal health and performance, encouraging the use of mycotoxin binders to reduce these effects. The global expansion of the livestock industry is also considered to be another important driver for the growth of the market. As the livestock industry grows and demands more animal feed, the risk of mycotoxin contamination increases, which increases the need for mycotoxin binders.
In addition, the focus on food safety, increasing consumer demand for high quality animal products, and stringent government legislation on the acceptable amount of mycotoxins in animal feed are expected to play a role as other supporting factors.
Research and development activities of companies working in the field of mycotoxin binders make mycotoxin binders more efficient and economical, which is another important factor encouraging the use of binders.
FACTORS LIMITING MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Although the costs of mycotoxin binders have started to decrease, thanks to the research and development activities of companies, the costs of quality binders are still high, especially for small-scale farmers. This is expected to be one of the most important and challenging factors for the development of the market in the coming years.
The complexity of mycotoxin contamination and the limited efficacy of some mycotoxin binders cause scepticism among farmers. Researchers claim that this is one of the challenges to be overcome in the market. It is also stated that the approval procedures for mycotoxin binders are too long in some regions, which delays market entry and increases the costs of producers, limiting the expansion of the market.
Some other possible factors that may hamper the growth of the market in the coming years are as follows:
• In some regions, the insufficient knowledge of animal breeders about the hazards of mycotoxin contamination and the advantages of using mycotoxin binders;
• Concerns about the use of chemical-based mycotoxin binders and their potential impact on animal health and animal product quality;
• The possibility that mycotoxin-producing fungi may develop resistance to binders over time;
• Negative effects that mycotoxin binders may have on the environment;
• Potential disruptions in the supply of raw materials used for mycotoxin binders; and
• Other alternative solutions that can be developed against mycotoxin risk.
SOME FEED MYCOTOXIN BINDERS SUPPLIERS IN THE WORLD:
Adisseo
Adiveter
ADM
Alltech
Amlan International
Anfotel Nutrition
Anpario plc
Basf SE
Bentoli Inc.
Biochem
Bionte Animal Nutrition
Bonaventure Animal Nutrition
Cargill
Clariant
Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition
dsm-firmenich
Evonik Industries
EW Nutrition
Global Nutritech
Impextraco NV
Kemin Industries
Micron Bio-Systems
MiXscience – Avril Group
Norel Animal Nutrition
Olmix Group
Perstorp
Phibro Animal Health
Royal Agrifirm Group
Selko – Nutreco
Sibbiopharm Ltd.
Special Nutrients
Trouw Nutrition
Vetline
Virbac Group
Visscher Holland
VL Vipro
Volac International
MARKET SITUATION BY ANIMAL SPECIES
In terms of animal species, the pig and poultry segments dominate the mycotoxin binders market. Mycotoxin binders are considered to be used more intensively in the swine livestock segment, as pigs are particularly susceptible to mycotoxin-induced health problems that can lead to reduced feed intake and impaired growth. According to the researchers, pig farmers are increasingly turning to mycotoxin binders to protect the health and welfare of their herds. The adoption of mycotoxin binders for pig feed not only improves overall productivity, but also contributes to providing consumers with safe and high-quality pork products.
The poultry segment represents remarkable potential for the feed mycotoxin binders market due to increasing consumer demand and poultry farming activities across the globe. Poultry farming is recognised to be one of the fastest-growing segments in the agriculture sector in Asian countries, especially in China and India. The potential in this segment stems from a combination of factors such as rapid urbanisation, rising per capita income, and a rapidly expanding middle-class population.
Moreover, the poultry industry is witnessing huge investments in breeding, incubation, rearing, and processing. This led to an increased demand for feed additives, such as mycotoxin binders, to provide high-quality products. The use of mycotoxin binders in poultry feed aims to improve the production and quality of poultry meat and eggs.
MARKET DEVELOPMENT ON REGIONAL BASIS
Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe are the prominent regions in the feed mycotoxin binders market. North America is estimated to be the largest region in the feed mycotoxin binders market in 2023. Most of the key players in the feed and feed additive industry in the region are investing huge amounts in technological advancements and research activities to introduce their products in new markets, create a sustainable demand and supply chain, and ensure market growth. Moreover, the mycotoxin binders market is expected to expand at a significant growth rate due to increasing consumption of animal products in the region. The market leadership in the region is held by the USA and Canada by a large margin.
In contrast to North America’s size in the mycotoxin binders market, Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing market in the coming years. The mycotoxin binders market in Asia-Pacific is expected to show remarkable growth in the coming years owing to increasing demand for meat products and changing agricultural practices. The majority of the key players operating in the feed and feed additives industry have established offices and factories in China, the largest market in the region. This expansion is reported to have made China one of the most important markets for feed additives.
In Europe, the mycotoxin binders market is estimated to expand significantly by 2032 due to stringent regulations on feed quality and increased emphasis on animal health and welfare. Proactive integration of binders into animal nutrition strategies by European farmers to reduce the negative impact of mycotoxins contributes to market expansion and the production of safe and nutritious animal products for consumers.
References
1. Efficacy of mycotoxin binders to control mycotoxins in feeds and the potential risk of interactions with nutrient: a review | Journal of Animal Science | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
2. Mycotoxin binders (k-state.edu)
3. Benefits of Mycotoxin Binders – FARMING ADVICE DIGEST
4. Feed Mycotoxin Binders And Modifiers Market Growth, Share Analysis 2033 (thebusinessresearchcompany.com)
5. In-Depth Industry Outlook: Feed Mycotoxin Binders Market Size, Forecast (verifiedmarketresearch.com)
6. Feed Mycotoxin Binders Market Size – By Product (Bentonite, LSCAS, Zeolites, Live Yeast), By Livestock (Poultry, Swine, Ruminant, Aquaculture, Equine), & Global Forecast, 2024 – 2032 (giiresearch.com)
7. Mycotoxin Binders Market Size, Share & Growth Report, 2023 (persistencemarketresearch.com)
8. Mycotoxin Binders Market Share, Forecast Analysis Report 2023 (precisionbusinessinsights.com) Global Feed Mycotoxin Binders Market Research Report 2023(Status and Outlook)