A strategic assessment of vitamin and amino acid supply chains reveals a level of U.S. dependence on China that surprised even the researchers behind the findings — with significant implications for pet food manufacturers and processors.
Lara Moody, executive director of the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), will present those findings Tuesday, April 28, at Petfood Forum 2026 in a session titled "Vitamins and amino acids: Strategic insights into the pet food supply chain and potential disruption."
The numbers are stark. An estimated 78% of total vitamin imports to the U.S. come directly from China, with some individual vitamins at 100% import dependency. U.S. and European vitamin manufacturers often rely on key raw materials also sourced from China — and the same dynamic holds true for amino acids.
"The extent of U.S. reliance on China for vitamins and amino acids was more significant than anticipated," Moody said. "There will be domino effects if insufficient vitamins and amino acids are available to meet animal diet needs."
While the assessment found that farmers and ranchers could modify animal diets in some cases to partially offset the impacts of reduced nutrient availability, Moody noted those adjustments would not fully resolve consequences for animal health and welfare or production efficiency.
For pet food, the exposure mirrors what the livestock and poultry sectors face. "Similar to the use in livestock and poultry, vitamins and amino acids are supplemented with other feedstuffs to meet a pet's nutrient requirements," Moody said. "A disruption in the supply chain for livestock and poultry would also mean a supply chain disruption for pet food."
IFEEDER's role, Moody explained, is to deliver independent, science-based research that equips industry leaders to act before risks escalate. "Proactively addressing potential supply chain threats is one of the industry's most pressing concerns," she said. "The extent of the U.S. reliance on China for vitamins and amino acids was more significant than many anticipated — underscoring the need for objective, reliable data to guide effective policy decisions."
The research is already informing next steps, said Moody. The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) will work with stakeholders to identify and prioritize the most critical vitamins and amino acids for urgent action, with the goal of outlining pathways for the White House, Congress and industry to diversify supply chains and prevent potential losses in agricultural capacity and food production.
Petfood Forum and Petfood Essentials show dates are April 27-29, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. To register or stay informed on the latest event developments, go to PetfoodForumEvents.com.
