The global pet food ingredients market is projected to grow from $41.55 billion in 2026 to $57.68 billion by 2031, driven by rising pet ownership, demand for premium and functional pet foods, and increased focus on pet health and nutrition with specialty ingredients.
- Market size: $41.55 billion in 2026, projected to reach $57.68 billion by 2031 at a 6.8% compound annual growth rate
- Animal-based ingredients lead with 53.8% market share in 2026 and are the fastest-growing segment
- Meat and meat products hold the largest share, while vegetables and fruits grow fastest due to demand for whole-food ingredients and digestive health support
- Asia Pacific accounts for 21.8% of market in 2026 and is the fastest-growing region, led by China, India, Japan, and South Korea
- Functional ingredients like probiotics, prebiotics, omega-3s, and antioxidants increasingly added to support digestive health, immunity, and healthy aging
The global pet food ingredients market is estimated at $41.55 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach $57.68 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual rate of 6.8%, according to a report from MarketsandMarkets.
The report attributed growth to rising pet ownership and pet humanization, increasing demand for premium and functional pet food, a growing focus on pet health and nutrition, and expanding use of proteins, fibers, vitamins, minerals, palatants and other specialty ingredients in pet food, treats and supplements.
Ingredients and form
Animal-based ingredients are estimated to lead the market by source in 2026, with a 53.8% share, and are expected to be the fastest-growing source segment through 2031.
The report cited higher meat inclusion, novel protein sources, species-specific formulations and growth in fresh, refrigerated, freeze-dried, air-dried and minimally processed pet food as drivers. Interest in alternative animal proteins, including insect and marine-based sources, is also broadening the ingredient base, according to the report.
By ingredient, meat and meat products are expected to hold the largest share during the forecast period, while vegetables and fruits are projected to grow at the highest rate. The report linked that growth to demand for recognizable whole-food ingredients that provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, as well as interest in ingredients that support digestive health, immune function and healthy aging.
By form, the dry segment is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 7% from 2026 to 2031.
Functional ingredients such as probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants are increasingly being added to dry and wet pet foods to support digestive health, immunity, skin and coat health, and healthy aging, the report stated.
Advances in fermentation, protein processing, algae cultivation, enzyme technology and stabilization are enabling suppliers to develop more specialized ingredients, according to the report.
Asia Pacific leads growth
The Asia Pacific region is estimated to account for 21.8% of the market in 2026 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period. The report pointed to rising pet ownership and spending in China, India, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.
In China, demand for premium and functional pet foods is driving use of high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics and omega-3 fatty acids, while India is seeing growth in pet ownership, urbanization and organized pet food retail channels. Japan and South Korea have mature markets with strong demand for age-specific and health-oriented nutrition, according to the report.
Key companies and market share
The report profiled companies including BASF SE, Darling Ingredients Inc., Cargill Inc., Ingredion, dsm-firmenich, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., ADM, Kemin Industries Inc., Novonesis Group, Roquette Frères, The Scoular Co., Symrise, Mowi Nutrition, Lallemand Inc. and Phileo by Lesaffre.
The top five companies — BASF, Darling Ingredients, dsm-firmenich, Ingredion and Cargill — are estimated to hold a combined market share of about 35% to 40%.
Mergers and acquisitions
The report highlighted the following deals:
- February 2025: Colgate-Palmolive Co. agreed to acquire Care TopCo Pty Ltd., owner of Australian fresh pet food brand Prime100, expanding Hill’s Pet Nutrition into the fresh pet food category. The deal was expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, pending Australian regulatory approval.
- January 2024: Darling Ingredients completed its acquisition of Polish rendering company Miropasz Group for about 110 million euros ($119 million). Miropasz processes about 250,000 metric tons of poultry by-products annually at three rendering plants in southeastern Poland.
- May 2023: The Scoular Co. acquired Northwest Farm Food Cooperative’s frozen fish processing plant in Burlington, which converts fish trimmings into frozen fish ingredients for pet food manufacturers. The purchase followed Scoular’s establishment of a joint venture fishmeal processing facility in Warrenton, Oregon.
- July 2022: Symrise completed its acquisition of Wing Pet Food, formerly Wing Biotech, a Chinese supplier of pet food palatability enhancers and nutrition ingredients.
- June 2022: ADM acquired a feed mill in Polomolok, South Cotabato, Philippines, from South Sunrays Milling Corp. to serve demand for animal and pet nutrition products in Asia.
The full report is available at marketsandmarkets.com.
