Global Leading Market Research Publisher QYResearch announces the release of its latest report “Prawn Feed – Global Market Share and Ranking, Overall Sales and Demand Forecast 2026-2032”. For shrimp farmers, aquafeed manufacturers, and seafood industry investors, a critical economic equation determines profitability: feed accounts for 50–60% of total production costs in intensive shrimp farming. Optimizing feed conversion ratio (FCR) while managing raw material costs (fish meal, soybean meal) and meeting sustainability certification requirements (ASC, BAP) is the central challenge. The solution lies in prawn feed—nutritional formulas specially designed for shrimp farming, including fish meal, soybean meal, grain by-products, oils and fats, vitamins, and minerals, providing necessary protein, energy, and trace elements to meet growth needs, enhance immunity, and improve farming efficiency. Based on current situation and impact historical analysis (2021-2025) and forecast calculations (2026-2032), this report provides a comprehensive analysis of the global Prawn Feed market, including market size, share, demand, industry development status, and forecasts for the next few years. Our analysis draws exclusively from QYResearch market data and verified corporate annual reports.
Market Size, Growth Trajectory, and Valuation (2024–2031):
The global market for Prawn Feed was estimated to be worth US$ 12,588 million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of US$ 16,037 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period 2025-2031. This $3.45 billion incremental expansion reflects steady growth in global shrimp farming. For context, the 3.5% CAGR aligns with overall aquaculture feed market growth (3–4% annually). For agribusiness executives and investors, this signals a mature yet resilient market with significant regional and technological differentiation.
Market Drivers – Rising Breeding Volume and High-Protein Feed Penetration
The global Prawn Feed market is in a stage of steady expansion, and the core driving force of market growth comes from two aspects:
Driver 1 – Rising Breeding Volume: In 2024, the global shrimp breeding volume exceeded 6.5 million tons, with feed conversion rate (FCR) remaining in the range of 1.2–1.5, pushing annual feed demand to 7.8–9.7 million tons. A September 2025 report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) noted that shrimp aquaculture production has grown at 4–5% annually over the past decade, driven by rising global seafood demand and the plateauing of wild catch fisheries.
Driver 2 – High-Protein Feed Penetration: To shorten breeding cycles and increase production, the proportion of high-end feed with protein content ≥35% has reached 40%, a significant increase from 25% in 2018, with market price premium of 20–30%. A November 2025 case study from a Vietnamese shrimp farm reported that switching from standard feed (32% protein) to high-protein feed (38% protein) reduced grow-out time from 110 to 95 days (14% improvement) and increased survival rate from 75% to 85%.
Product Definition – Nutritional Formula for Shrimp Growth
Prawn Feed is a nutritional formula specially designed for prawn farming, usually including fish meal, soybean meal, grain by-products, oils and fats, vitamins and minerals. These feeds provide the necessary protein, energy and trace elements to meet the growth needs of shrimp, enhance immunity and improve farming efficiency. Through precise proportions, these feeds can promote the healthy growth of shrimp and good economic benefits.
Key Nutritional Components:
- Protein (30–40%): Fish meal (traditional), soybean meal, insect meal (emerging), single-cell protein.
- Lipids (5–10%): Fish oil, vegetable oils, algae-derived Omega-3.
- Carbohydrates (10–20%): Wheat flour, grain by-products.
- Micronutrients: Vitamins (A, D, E, C), minerals (zinc, copper, selenium), probiotics, immune enhancers.
Key Industry Characteristics and Strategic Drivers:
1. Production Geography – Asia Dominates, Americas Emerge
In terms of production capacity distribution, Asia remains the dominant force, accounting for about 70% of global shrimp feed production capacity. Tongwei Co., Ltd. (China), Charoen Pokphand Group (Thailand), and Japfa (Indonesia) have a monopoly in the mid-end market with their huge local breeding bases. The American market is dominated by Ecuador, with breeding companies mostly relying on imported feed (Cargill, Guabi), with feed costs about 15% higher than in Asia.
The four major production areas of China, India, Vietnam, Thailand, and Ecuador contribute about 85% of global demand. Ecuador’s feed imports surged by 20% in 2024 due to rapid expansion of pond farming.
2. Species Segmentation – Penaeus Vannamei Dominates
The Prawn Feed market is segmented as below:
By Species:
- Penaeus Vannamei (Whiteleg Shrimp) (largest segment, ~75% of demand): Fastest-growing, most widely farmed species. Optimal FCR of 1.2–1.4. Dominant in Asia and Latin America.
- Penaeus Monodon (Giant Tiger Prawn) (~20%): Larger size, higher market price, but slower growth and more disease-susceptible. FCR typically 1.5–1.8.
- Other (~5%): Penaeus chinensis, Penaeus indicus.
By Life Stage:
- Feed for Juvenile Shrimp (~30%): Higher protein (40–45%), smaller particle size, fortified with immune stimulants.
- Feed for Adult Shrimp (~70%): Lower protein (30–35%), larger pellets, optimized for growth and FCR.
3. Technological Competition – Protein Substitution and Functional Additives
In terms of technological competition, leading companies are actively promoting protein substitution and functional addition technology innovation. Charoen Pokphand Group promotes black soldier fly (BSF) insect protein, which costs about 20% lower than fish meal. At the same time, probiotics and immune enhancers have become standard for high-end feed, increasing feed digestibility by 15% and reducing disease mortality by 30% respectively.
A December 2025 technical paper from Skretting described a new functional feed formulation incorporating heat-killed probiotics (paraprobiotics) and β-glucans, claiming a 40% reduction in early mortality syndrome (EMS) incidence in field trials across Southeast Asia.
4. Sustainability Certification – ASC/BAP Premiums
As Europe and the United States upgrade their requirements for sustainable breeding, the proportion of ASC/BAP certified feed continues to increase, with price premium reaching 10–15%. An October 2025 report from the Global Seafood Alliance noted that certified prawn feed now represents 25% of the global market, up from 12% in 2020, driven by retailer requirements (Walmart, Carrefour, Tesco).
Future Trends (Towards 2031)
Looking forward to 2031, the shrimp feed industry will transform around three major trends: “green raw materials, intelligent feeding, and zero-carbon manufacturing.”
Trend 1 – Green Raw Materials: The raw material structure will undergo revolutionary upgrade. The replacement rate of novel proteins such as insect protein and single-cell protein will increase from the current 5% to 25%, significantly reducing dependence on fish meal. At the same time, Omega-3 additives derived from algae are widely used to improve shrimp meat quality, with product premium exceeding 20%. A November 2025 announcement from Thai Union Feedmill described a commercial-scale black soldier fly protein facility in Thailand, capable of producing 10,000 tons annually.
Trend 2 – Intelligent Feeding Systems: Precision feeding systems have become mainstream. AI feeding technology (e.g., Tongwei’s intelligent feeding machine) has reduced feed waste rate to 5%, more than two-thirds lower than the traditional model (15–20% waste). Comprehensive breeding costs are expected to be reduced by 15%. A December 2025 case study from a Chinese shrimp farm reported that AI feeding reduced FCR from 1.35 to 1.18 and reduced labor costs by 40%.
Trend 3 – Carbon Footprint Certification and Green Production: The EU is expected to enforce carbon certification standards from 2026, promoting feed manufacturers to accelerate green electricity transition. The proportion of green electricity use by leading companies is expected to reach 30% by 2030.
Technical Challenge – Fish Meal Price Volatility
A persistent industry challenge is fish meal price volatility. Fish meal (primarily Peruvian anchovy) prices fluctuated between $1,400–1,900/tonne over the past five years, driven by El Niño events and fishing quotas. A September 2025 analysis found that fish meal represents 30–40% of prawn feed raw material costs. Leading manufacturers are investing in alternative protein sources (insect meal, single-cell protein, fermented soybean meal) to reduce dependency. Cargill’s November 2025 product launch featured a “low-fish-meal” prawn feed formulation with 15% fish meal (vs. industry standard 25–30%), using enzyme-treated soybean meal and algae oil as replacements.
Exclusive Observation – The Ecuadorian Export Surge
Based on our analysis of trade data, Ecuador has emerged as the fastest-growing shrimp producer globally, with production increasing from 1.0 million tons in 2020 to an estimated 1.6 million tons in 2025. Unlike Asian producers that manufacture feed locally, Ecuadorian farms rely heavily on imported feed (primarily from Cargill, Guabi, and Skretting). A December 2025 analysis found that Ecuador’s prawn feed import volume grew 25% year-over-year, making it the most attractive growth market for international feed suppliers. For feed manufacturers, establishing local production capacity in Ecuador represents a strategic opportunity to capture market share and reduce logistics costs.
Exclusive Observation – Disease-Driven Formulation Innovation
Our analysis identifies disease outbreaks as a major driver of feed formulation innovation. Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) have caused annual industry losses estimated at $1–2 billion. In response, feed manufacturers have incorporated functional additives: (1) organic acids (formic, butyric) for gut health, (2) β-glucans and nucleotides for immune stimulation, (3) phytogenics (essential oils, plant extracts) for antimicrobial effects. A November 2025 study found that functional feeds reduced EMS mortality from 40% to 15% in challenged trials. For feed manufacturers, functional formulations command 15–25% price premiums over standard feeds.
Competitive Landscape – Selected Key Players (Verified from QYResearch Database):
Thai Union Feedmill, Skretting, Charoen Pokphand Foods, Cargill, Avanti Feeds, Vitapro, Devi Seafoods, BMR Industries, Sharat Industries, Waterbase, Japfa, Guabi, GROBEST, Guangdong Yuehai Feeds, HAID GROUP, TONGWEI.
Strategic Takeaways for Executives and Investors:
For shrimp farmers and feed procurement managers, the key decision framework for prawn feed selection includes: (1) matching protein level to species and growth stage (30–35% for adult Penaeus vannamei, 35–40% for Penaeus monodon), (2) evaluating FCR performance (target <1.4 for intensive systems), (3) verifying certification status (ASC, BAP) for export markets, (4) assessing functional additive content (probiotics, immune stimulants) for disease prevention, (5) considering novel protein sources (insect meal, single-cell protein) for sustainability and price stability. For marketing managers, differentiation lies in demonstrating FCR data from field trials, certification compliance (ASC/BAP), and functional additive efficacy. For investors, the 3.5% CAGR understates the opportunity in high-protein (8–10% growth), functional feed (10–12% growth), and Ecuador (15–20% growth) segments. The industry’s transition toward green raw materials, intelligent feeding, and zero-carbon manufacturing will reward innovators with premium pricing and market share gains.
Contact Us:
If you have any queries regarding this report or if you would like further information, please contact us:
QY Research Inc.
Add: 17890 Castleton Street Suite 369 City of Industry CA 91748 United States
EN: https://www.qyresearch.com
E-mail: global@qyresearch.com
Tel: 001-626-842-1666(US)
JP: https://www.qyresearch.co.jp
