The forage feed market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.20% to reach US$41.364 billion in 2030 from US$37.117 billion in 2025.
Forages are edible plant portions other than separated grain that serve as feed for grazing animals or can be harvested for feeding livestock. They play a significant role in the beef cattle sector while improving crop diversity, wildlife habitat, and soil ecosystem services. If the proper crop is chosen and carefully managed, forage feed can be a valuable tool for farmers as they are highly productive and nutritious at its most formative stages of growth.
To reduce their negative effects on productivity, pests must also be handled. Maximizing the productive potential of fodder feed requires a carefully thought-out grazing strategy. For instance, to produce hay or silage, forage feed can be made solely for that purpose or grazed first before being set aside for fodder conservation. They have roots that can increase the soil's organic matter content, and they are also a good source of vitamins, fiber, and proteins that help animals' metabolisms.
Worldwide milk consumption has been increasing, which has led to an increase in cattle population. This supports the growth of the forage feed industry as forage serves as the fundamental component for cattle roughage and fiber in dairy cattle. Cattle are given feed that is nutrient-rich to increase the production of milk. The health and enhanced output of the animals depend on the forage's quality. Hay, silages, and forages with a high feed value are fed to various ruminant animals, including cows and buffalo. The livestock animals receive calories, fiber, and necessary protein from forage seeds, and adding supplement ingredients further increases the output. According to the USDA’s “Livestock and Poultry: World Market and Trade”, in 2023, the number of cattle in stock globally stood at 9,42,630, which represented an increase of 2,260 in strength in comparison to 2022.
To improve the overall efficiency and intake of forage feed, various R&D activities and experiments are being undertaken. For instance, to assess the effects of sulfur on forage feed, ICL conducted a series of product experiments in December 2022, comparing mineral fertilizer Polysulphate to standard farm practice nitrogen/sulfur products. At 28 locations throughout the UK, ICL conducted trials, some of which were on organic soils. Sites were divided, with one side receiving a treatment of 100 kg per hectare of Polysulphate with nitrogen and the other receiving an application of ammonium sulfate (AS) per conventional farm practice.
With the growing emphasis on increasing the forage feed supplies to farm animals, various technological innovations are being implemented, which have paved the way for future market growth. For instance, DeLaval launched the second edition of its OptiDuo feed-pushing robot in December 2022. This version can boost daily cow milk output by up to 3 liters. The robot can make rounds through the barn up to ten times daily, replenishing feed supplies and rearranging forage to entice the cattle kept there to consume more food. Due to its twin rotating augers, which can combine different feed types, the new model now offers the option of a concentrate dispenser.
Cattle, such as oxen and bullocks, are grown for their ability to pull plows, carts, and other devices. They are also raised as livestock for meat production and as dairy animals for producing milk, butter, and other dairy products. Cow feces are utilized as fuel or manure. They are reared mostly on a forage-feed diet to boost the diet's energy density. Since cattle are given tiny amounts of hay with grain, soy, and other substances as supplements, the forage feed industry is expected to expand in the cattle livestock sector.
The forage feed industry is expected to increase in the Asia Pacific area due to the rising demand for dairy and animal products, as well as the availability of government subsidies. Due to the region's consistently rising population, decreasing pastureland for grazing animals, shifting consumer preferences toward organic food and feed products, and increasing demand for dairy and animal products, the forage feed market is anticipated to expand during the forecasted period. Furthermore, major regional economies, namely India and China, are among the leading cattle producers. According to the USDA, the total cattle beginning stock in China was 101,500 in 2023, whereas for India, the strength stood at 307,500. Additionally, a rise in demand for forage feed has been brought on by various government funding and initiatives to support the dairy industry.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
| Market Size Value in 2025 | US$37.117 billion |
| Market Size Value in 2030 | US$41.364 billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 2.20% from 2025 to 2030 |
| Study Period |
2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data |
2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
| Segments Covered |
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| Companies Covered |
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| Regions Covered | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |
Forage Feed Market Segmentation: