The United Kingdom animal feed market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.40% over the forecast period, increasing from US$5,432.091 million in 2025 to US$6,115.988 million by 2030.
Animal feed is a type of food that is especially given to domesticated animals or livestock. This feed contains a balanced mixture of all the necessary nutrients and vitamins required for the growth of the livestock. It offers multiple benefits to the farmers or livestock owners, as it prevents the animals from any diseases, boosts production, and improves the quality of animal products like poultry, eggs, and dairy.
The growing demand for animal products, like milk, eggs, and meat, across the nation is boosting the need for animal feed in the UK.
With the increasing demand for animal products, the population of livestock will increase significantly, increasing the production of output of such products. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs of the UK government, in its report, stated that the production of animal products increased significantly in the region. The department stated that in 2021, the total value of production of meat products was recorded at EUR 9,463 million, which increased to EUR 10,321 million in 2022. In 2023, the total value of production of meat products reached EUR 10,920 million.
Furthermore, the United Kingdom’s animal feed market is estimated to grow at a steady rate during the forecast period. A key factor propelling the market forward is the increasing population of livestock across the region. Furthermore, the growing demand for animal products nationwide will also ensure its growth.
A key factor propelling the animal feed market’s growth in the UK is the growing population of animals or livestock in the nation. The United Kingdom witnessed massive growth in its livestock farming practices, mainly due to the increasing global demand for animal products.
With the increase in the nation's livestock farming practices, the population of livestock grew significantly over the past few years. The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, in its report of 2024, stated that the total population of cattle and calves in the nation was recorded at 9,555 thousand heads, of which 1,836 thousand were dairy cows and 1,407 were beef cows. Similarly, the total population of pigs sheep, and lambs was recorded at 4,683 thousand heads and 31,803 thousand heads, respectively.
Raw materials supply vital carbohydrates that support the best possible growth and performance in animals. Furthermore, the importance of wheat as a resource-efficient and renewable feed source is highlighted by the changing face of sustainable agriculture and increased environmental consciousness. Cereals' ability to nourish cattle while reducing their environmental impact is becoming more and more increasingly important as consumers demand ethical production methods.
Since rearing livestock is a major sector in UK agriculture, the wheat supply in the nation has also been high, attributed to animal feed demand. Wheat is one of the main cereals used in poultry and livestock feeds mainly for cattle, swine, and birds. For instance, the UK has experienced demand cycles for wheat in recent years. The cost of wheat affects the level of incorporation of wheat in animal feeds, as other feed grains are more expensive than wheat.
Additionally, the demand for wheat bushels is influenced by the livestock population. This is because an increase in pig or chicken farming leads to a rise in demand for wheat. Moreover, crops experience different weather patterns, which, in one way or another, affect their yields. This, in turn, determines the amount of wheat produced for human use and animal feeds as well.
Moreover, animal feed accounts for about half of the UK's wheat production. This wheat is either surplus to needs, cultivated especially for feed, or doesn't meet quality standards. It can be fed as whole crop silage, processed grain, or both, leading to increased wheat production, eventually increasing the market growth. For instance, wheat production in the UK increased from 13,988 tonnes in 2021/22 to 15,540 tonnes in 2022/23.