Aquafeed Enzyme Market Forecast at 8.2% CAGR Baseline, Within 7.5–9.0% Range, Through 2035

The global market for multi-enzyme complexes used in aquafeed is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.5–9.0% over the 2026–2035 period, with the baseline scenario estimate placed at 8.2%, according to a market report published by IndexBox on 17 September 2026. The baseline forecast places the market index at roughly 220 by 2035, using 2025 as the base year of 100.

IndexBox describes the market as sitting "at the intersection of industrial biotechnology, animal nutrition science, and global protein supply chains." The enzyme blends in scope — formulated with proteases, amylases, lipases, and other carbohydrases — are incorporated into aquafeed to improve nutrient digestibility, feed conversion ratios, and growth performance across species including salmonids, shrimp, tilapia, and carp.

Growth Drivers

The principal demand driver identified in the report is the continued expansion of global aquaculture production, which IndexBox says "continues to outpace capture fisheries as the primary source of aquatic protein." Because feed costs represent the largest operational expense in aquaculture, producers face persistent pressure to improve feed conversion and cut waste. The report notes that multi-enzyme complexes address this by "breaking down anti-nutritional factors and enhancing the availability of nutrients in plant-based feed ingredients, thereby lowering feed costs per unit of production."

A secondary driver is innovation in enzyme thermostability. The report states the market will benefit from "ongoing innovation in enzyme thermostability, allowing products to retain activity through the high-temperature pelleting and extrusion processes common in modern feed mills." The report also points to a structural shift from single-enzyme additives toward "customized multi-enzyme cocktails tailored to specific species and feed formulations."

Demand Segments

The report segments end-use demand into five categories. Aquaculture ingredients — where enzyme blends are directly incorporated into compound feed — carries the largest estimated share at 45%, driven by the substitution of fishmeal and fish oil with plant-based proteins that contain higher levels of anti-nutritional factors such as phytate and non-starch polysaccharides. Formulation and compounding accounts for an estimated 25% share, industrial processing for 20%, and specialty end-use applications and quality control and certification each for an estimated 5%.

Regional Outlook

Asia-Pacific is identified as the dominant region, with an estimated 55% share of production and consumption, underpinned by extensive aquaculture operations in China, India, and Southeast Asia. North America and Europe each account for an estimated 15% share, described respectively as mature markets with steady growth trajectories. Latin America, at an estimated 10% share, is described as "fast-growing," driven by expanding shrimp and tilapia farming in Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico. The Middle East and Africa, at an estimated 5%, are characterised as an "emerging" demand node with significant growth potential, particularly in Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Constraints

The report identifies several factors that could limit growth. These include volatility in raw material costs for enzyme fermentation substrates, regulatory fragmentation across jurisdictions that creates qualification hurdles and delays market access, and uneven technical adoption — "particularly in emerging markets with limited laboratory capacity." Competition from alternative feed additives such as probiotics and prebiotics is also listed as a potential constraint.

Competitive Landscape

The report lists 30 market participants. Leading companies identified include Novozymes A/S (Bagsværd, Denmark), described as a "leading enzyme producer with aquafeed-specific complexes"; DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (Wilmington, USA), which "offers Danisco range including phytase and carbohydrases"; and DSM-Firmenich AG (Heerlen, Netherlands), described as a "merged entity with strong enzyme portfolio." Chinese producers such as Sunhy Group Co., Ltd. (Wuhan) and Vland Biotech Group Co., Ltd. (Qingdao) are also listed among the larger-scale participants. Adisseo France S.A.S. is noted as part of China National BlueStar and as offering the Rovabio range. BASF SE is noted as producing Natuphos and other multi-enzyme products.

The full IndexBox report, priced at USD 4,000 for a single-user licence, covers historical data from 2012 to 2025 and a forecast to 2035, including market size, trade flows, pricing dynamics, and country profiles for 50 national markets.