Report Overview
Australia Animal Feed Market Highlights
Australia Animal Feed Market Size:
The Australian Animal Feed Market is set to reach USD 6.235 billion in 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.05% from a valuation of USD 4.618 billion in 2020.
Animal feed is the most important source of nutrition for animals, ensuring improved immunity, accelerating growth, and promoting good health. Furthermore, with an increasing initiative for the production of sustainable protein, animal feed acts as a high-value protein source for both livestock and fish. The livestock and animal feed markets are in harmony with each other in terms of growth. The major factor expected to drive the growth of animal feed during the forecast period is the surging consumption of meat products for greater protein intake, resulting in higher demand for nutritious feed, aiming at better animal health.
Australia Animal Feed Market Overview
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
Australia's animal feed market operates at the boundaries of farm production, trade policy and biosecurity. Feed is provided for livestock, poultry, aquaculture and pets, under a high level of regulation because the importation of feeds can introduce pests and diseases. Recent government analysis and statistics reveal that livestock volumes and commodity flows remain key drivers: the size of the herd, poultry production, and availability of grain will all directly affect future demand for feed and its ingredients.
On the supply side, domestic feed inputs — wheat, barley, sorghum, oilseed meals and coproducts – track broadacre crop output and international price signals. Commodities updated with weekly prices will further assist feed mills and farmers in managing sourcing and margins, according to the Department of Agriculture. Therefore, seasonal conditions impact feed costs and formulation decisions directly through the global grain market and domestic forces price of feed inputs to experience immediate shifts.
Regulation and biosecurity influence market access and business practices. All imported feeds or stock feed ingredients require import permits; all overseas manufacturers must meet specific facility requirements and also provide technical documentation to help manage the risk of exotic disease. In case imported feeds or ingredients can't be processed offshore, the Department may mandate completing processing in Australia under approved arrangements. Regulations and controls place some barriers on a number of imports while also supporting domestic producers and animal health.
The comparison of Australia’s forecast wheat output of 33.8 million tonnes and barley output of 14.6 million tonnes for 2025–26 highlights the grain base that underpins the country’s animal feed market. Wheat and barley are the core ingredients used in feedlot rations, poultry formulations, and mixed-stock feed products. When production volumes are high, feed manufacturers benefit from greater raw-material stability, more predictable pricing, and the flexibility to refine formulations according to nutritional and economic needs. These forecasts also help feed mills, livestock producers, and importers anticipate supply pressures, plan procurement strategies, and manage risk across seasonal and global market shifts.
Australia Animal Feed Market Drivers
- Rising livestock and poultry production
One of the driving factors of growth in Australia’s animal feed market is the continued increase in livestock and poultry production. The latest available data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that by 2023–24, the value of livestock disposals was A$22.4 billion, while poultry disposals rose by 10.7% to reach A$4 billion. These changes in production values reflect both an increase in domestic demand for animal proteins and strong international export markets. According to the Department of Agriculture’s Outlook & ABARES, livestock production value is expected to remain strong and experience significant growth across the sector.
As livestock production increases, a larger quantity of feed will be required to meet the animals’ growth, reproduction and health. This increases demand for feed inputs such as grains, oilseed meals and other nutrient-rich materials. For poultry, in particular, production systems are heavily reliant on custom-formulated feed to achieve both rapid growth and improved feed conversion efficiency. The increased number of poultry farms and the growth in consumption of poultry meat also raise feed demand.
While domestic consumption is critical, export demand creates a significant share of this market. The livestock sector has demonstrated robust export performance, particularly red meat, driving producers to increase production, which supports feed demand. Additionally, long-term investments in cattle feedlot capacity throughout Australia have significantly increased the capacity to finish a higher number of animals on grain-fed systems that ultimately require high quantities of feed.
Given that livestock production is somewhat reactive to macro conditions like commodity prices, trade opportunities and seasonal weather, feed businesses must also remain responsive for producers to continue feeding the herd and meeting feed demand. Feed businesses need to anticipate herd numbers and sources to capitalise on growing feed demand.
The chart below highlights the economic value generated by major livestock categories in 2023–2024, with cattle and calves contributing $12.8 billion and sheep and lambs adding $3.7 billion. These numbers help explain why livestock productivity remains a strong growth driver. When the value of output rises, it encourages better farm management, modern husbandry practices, and stronger supply chain investments. Moreover, higher returns also push producers to adopt efficient feeding, breeding, and health-monitoring systems.
Figure: Local Value of Livestock Disposals and Livestock Products, 2023–24 ($ Billion)
Source: Australian Bureau Of Statistics
Australia Animal Feed Market Segmentation Analysis
- By Type: Compound Feed
By type, the Australian animal feed market is segmented into fodder, forage, and compound feed. The??? compound feed division is the most organized and commercially significant sector in the Australian Animal Feed Market. It is a major factor in the country's ongoing transition to precision nutrition, industrialized livestock production, and performance-oriented feeding systems. The use of compound feeds is expanding in poultry, cattle, swine, and aquaculture operations as producers seek standardized, nutrient-dense formulations that not only enhance growth rates but also improve feed conversion efficiency and, simultaneously maintain herd and flock health in unstable climatic and economic conditions. Australian feed mills are progressively using high-quality grains, oilseed meals, amino acids, vitamins, chelated minerals, enzymes, probiotics, and functional additives in compound blends to overcome productivity challenges such as heat stress, low-quality pasture, and increased disease-management ???requirements.
As??? antibiotic-free production becomes a major requirement due to regulatory pressures, the use of natural alternatives is gaining popularity. Among these natural alternatives are phytogenic feed additives (for example, essential oils like oregano oil, thyme oil, and cinnamaldehyde), probiotics (Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis), prebiotics (mannan-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides), and rumen modifiers like yeast-based products (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and tannin extracts.
An increasing number of consumers are also turning to immune-system-strengthening products such as beta-glucans, selenium yeast, and vitamin–mineral premixes. This factor is another indication of the market’s transition to cleaner nutrition models of high ???performance.
One??? of the factors that drives feed producers to implement transparent sourcing practices and good quality systems like FeedSafe® is the change in consumer preferences for animal protein that is traceable, welfare-compliant, and of high quality. In sum, the compound feed sector is changing the way it supplies from mainly commodity-based to technologically advanced, value-added nutrition solutions that are the basis for Australia’s global meat and dairy export markets' ???competitiveness.
- By Livestock: Cattle
By livestock, the Australian animal feed market is segmented into swine, aquatic animals, cattle, poultry, and others. The??? cattle segment is still one of the most strategically growing bases of the Australian Animal Feed Market, influenced by Australia's position as a major global exporter of beef and dairy products, and the rapid modernization of intensive cattle farming systems. As of June 30, 2024, there were 30.4 million cattle on hold, comprising 2.2 million dairy cattle and 28.2 million beef cattle in Australia.
The demand for specialized cattle feed is growing as producers focus on maximizing feed conversion ratios, improving carcass quality, and maintaining milk yields amid challenges posed by climate change, pasture degradation, and increasing production costs. Feed manufacturers are increasingly introducing high-energy grains, protein meals, bypass fats, vitamins, chelated minerals, and rumen-protected nutrients in the cattle rations to support metabolic efficiency and alleviate heat stress, a growing problem in the northern and arid ???regions.
The??? Australian animal feed market is mainly managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) through the Biosecurity Act 2015, which regulates the import of feed ingredients and measures for the prevention of diseases. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is responsible for the approval and the use of feed additives, enzymes, and the inputs linked to the veterinary under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994. FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) sets the standards for contaminants and feed materials that affect the food chain. Meanwhile, environmental regulations for feed production and feedlot operations are regulated under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). These systems together safeguard Australia's animal feed ecosystem in terms of safety, traceability, and consistent ???quality.
- By Source: Organic
Based on the source, the Australian animal feed market is segmented into organic and conventional. Consumer awareness is growing in Australia, and with lifestyle changes, the preference for food products offering high nutritional content while being chemical-free is increasing in the country. Hence, this extends to animal products as well, where demand for organic beef and dairy products has increased over the years. Owing to such a healthy transition, the demand for certified organic feedstock to bolster production of high-quality animal products is expected to gain traction.
Moreover, Australia is among the leading nations witnessing a transition towards organic land, which is devoted to extensive grazing areas. Hence, the country holds a reputation for its animal products in major nations, such as the United States, which has laid certain guidelines to support the adoption of organic produce. According to the USDA’s “Organic Situation Report Edition 2025”, as of June 2024, nearly 523 Australia-based operations are covered under the “National Organic Program (NOP),” which has enabled producers to export their products in the US market.
The establishment of such programs further enhances the usage of organic feed in livestock farming to improve the overall end-product quality. Furthermore, the fluctuating environmental stability followed by climatic pressures has led to biodiversity losses, which has heightened awareness regarding conventional practices, thereby creating a shift towards organic alternatives that align with climate change. This is expected to stimulate the demand and usage of organically sourced feedstocks.
The growing production of beef has further raised emphasis on meat quality, which has played an integral role in driving the use of organic feed to ensure high-quality end products. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in the September Quarter 2025, the volume of beef produced stood at a seasonally adjusted 724.921 tons, representing a 2.3% increase over the June 2025 quarter.
The establishment of regulations, such as “National Organic Standard Bill 2024,” further marked Australia’s commitment to bolster production and sales of organic food products, which is an additional driving factor for organic feed consumption in livestock farming.
- By State: New South Wales (NSW)
Based on state, the Australian animal feed market is segmented into NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, and others. NSW (New South Wales) is the largest poultry producer in Australia and the second largest beef producer. Hence, the constant economic growth in the state has impacted overall food demand, including livestock products such as meat, eggs and other dairy products. Such demand progression has further escalated the overall livestock production in NSW.
For instance, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in the September Quarter 2025, the beef production (Excluding Calves) reached a seasonally adjusted 164.075 tons, which constituted nearly 22% of Australia’s total beef production and also marked a considerable growth of 18% over the production recorded for the same quarter in the previous year. The same source also specified that in 2024, New South Wales accounted for 20.9% of Australia’s total cattle strength.
Moreover, in addition to strong domestic support, the export-oriented meat production has also shown progression in New South Wales, which has positively impacted the state’s overall livestock gross value production (GVP). According to the “NSW Primary Industries GVP 2025” report issued by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, in 2024, the livestock production GVP reached $9.5 billion, showcasing a 19% growth over the previous year and was 18% higher than the five-year average.
With such considerable expansion in meat production, the demand and usage of feedstock are expected to grow at a constant rate in New South Wales, thereby propelling the overall market demand. The drought conditions and climate variability are estimated to impact overall livestock production. However, the ongoing adoption of modern farming methods can address biosecurity threats, which are anticipated to influence the demand for feed binders and protein alternatives.
Segmentation:
- By Type
- Fodder & Forage
- Compound Feed
- By Livestock
- Swine
- Aquatic Animals
- Cattle
- Poultry
- Others
- By Form
- Liquid
- Dry
- By Production Systems
- Integrated
- Commercial Mills
- By Source
- Organic
- Conventional
- By Raw Materials
- Corn
- Soy
- Others
- By State
- NSW
- Victoria
- Queensland
- Tasmania
- Others