| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 36.71 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 44.02 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 3.70 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Playerslogo.webp "Europe Ruminant Feed Market Major Players")
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Europe Ruminant Feed Market Analysis
The Europe Ruminant Feed Market size is estimated at USD 36.71 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 44.02 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Europe boasts one of the world's largest and most diverse livestock sectors. Key players like France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Italy stand out as leading producers of ruminant feed. The European Union (EU) plays a dual role as both a major producer and consumer of animal feed, with ruminant feed constituting a significant share of total feed production, thereby bolstering market growth. Rising meat production serves as a primary catalyst for this growth. Data from the Russian Federal State Statistics Service indicates that beef production in Russia saw a slight uptick, growing from 1.62 million metric tons in 2022 to 1.65 million metric tons in 2023. As meat production escalates, the ruminant feed industry is gearing up to cater to the increasing demand for premium feed in the market.
The European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) points out that urban modernization, technological advancements, and changing farming practices are steering the industry towards more efficient and eco-friendly meat production. This shift not only promotes the use of sustainable ruminant feed but also bolsters the market. However, it's noteworthy that feed production in the European Union witnessed a decline during the study period, with beef feed alone dropping by 10% from 2021 to 2022. In response, and to bolster cattle farmers, the government stepped in with financial aid. For instance, in 2022, France allocated a substantial 400 million euros (approximately USD 440.12 million) to support livestock farms grappling with surging feed grain costs, a fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Thus, the interplay of rising feed demand, government interventions, and surging meat production underscores the market's growth trajectory.
Europe Ruminant Feed Market Trends
Dairy Cattle Dominates the Market
European nations are among the world's leading consumers of meat and dairy products. In 2023, the average European consumed 10.2 kilograms of beef. In 2022, the European Union consumed about 6.4 million metric tons of beef and veal, ranking fourth globally. Additionally, Statistisches Bundesamt reported that Germany's per capita milk consumption increased from 24.7 kg in 2022 to 24.9 kg in 2023. This growing demand for meat and dairy has driven an increase in cattle farming across Europe. However, the same data shows a slight decline in the cattle population, from 10.99 million in 2022 to 10.94 million in 2023. The rising demand for milk and meat products, coupled with the decreasing cattle population, highlights the need for more efficient feed strategies to boost production, thereby supporting market growth.
By 2050, projections indicate a 70% increase in Europe's livestock numbers, all of which will require feeding. At the same time, the EU is placing greater emphasis on sustainability in agriculture, driven by consumer demand for environmentally responsible practices and stricter environmental regulations. This includes reducing the carbon footprint of animal farming, using sustainable feed ingredients, and minimizing feed waste. Consequently, many companies are innovating in the cattle feed sector, driving its growth. For example, the A LIFE project, LIFE ECOFFEED, is converting wet Spent Coffee Grounds (SCG) into livestock feed, traditionally made from imported soybeans, which have a significant environmental impact. Interestingly, cows consuming wet SCG, which contains caffeine, show a 20% reduction in methane emissions. Therefore, the increasing demand for cattle products and innovations in the cattle feed industry are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.
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Spain Dominates the Market
The ruminant feed market in the European Union is dominated by Spain, Germany, and France. Increased meat consumption in these countries drives the demand for ruminant feed. According to Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment, annual per capita beef consumption increased from 3.83 kg in 2022 to 3.89 kg in 2023. This rise in consumption necessitates higher production, which in turn supports the ruminant feed market.
Spain produced 37.5 million tons of feed in 2022, as per the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Spain. Despite a 2.6% decline in the prodcuction from 2021, Spain maintained its position as the EU's leading feed manufacturer, a fact corroborated by industry publications. By species, pig feed accounted for 48.49% of total production, followed by cattle feed at 20.74%, highlighting the strength of the ruminant feed market.
Furthermore, the supportive initiatives by the animal nutrition producers aid the market growth. VEOS Group, an animal protein ingredients producer, in 2021 opened a new protein plant in Monzon, Spain, in partnership with Vall Companys. Such initiatives enhance production, supporting market growth in the forecast period. Consequently, the combination of high ruminant feed production, increasing meat consumption, and supportive initiatives drives market growth.
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Europe Ruminant Feed Industry Overview
The European Ruminant Feed Market is highly fragmented, as many of the companies are new in the market studied and hold only a small fraction of the market share. Major companies in the region include Alltech Inc., Cargill Inc., Nutreco N.V., Archer Daniels Midland, and ForFarmers N.V. are some major players operating in the region. Agreements with other companies, new product launches, and investments for the expansion of manufacturing units globally have been the strategies mostly adopted by these players. Some of the players have been expanding their geographical presence by acquiring or merging with manufacturers in foreign markets. Major investments were made by companies in their domestic market to cater to the local demand, followed by mergers and acquisitions in the market studied over the forecast period.
Europe Ruminant Feed Market Leaders
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Nutreco N.V.
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Alltech Inc.
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Archer Daniels Midland
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ForFarmers N.V.
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Cargill Inc.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Europe Ruminant Feed Market News
- September 2024: Brenntag, a leading distributor of chemicals and ingredients, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art facility in Belgium, dedicated to producing solutions for animal nutrition including ruminants. This new production line utilizes Neubacid Soft technology, empowering feed producers to enhance animal performance without compromising safety or resorting to antibiotics.
- May 2023: Sanders, a unit of Avril, has acquired Axereal Elevage's animal nutrition division in France. This acquisition strengthens the country's ruminant feed industry and enables Sanders to extend its support for French livestock farming, contributing to food sovereignty while addressing decarbonization challenges.
- February 2023: Evonik introduced PhytriCare IM, its first plant-based premix, in Germany. This product is designed to support the health of dairy cows, laying hens, and sows.
Europe Ruminant Feed Industry Segmentation
Ruminant feed combines different concentrate feed ingredients in suitable proportions for cattle to enhance milk and meat production. Frequently used ingredients in the ruminant feed include brans, protein meals/cakes, chunnis, grains, agro-industrial by-products, minerals, and vitamins. The Europe Ruminant feed Market is Segmented by Animal Type into Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle, and Other Animal Types, by Ingredients into Cereals, Cakes and Meals, and Other Ingredients, and by Geography into Germany, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Spain, and Rest of Europe. The report offers market estimation and forecasts in value (USD) for the above-mentioned segments.
| Animal Type | Dairy Cattle |
| Beef Cattle | |
| Other Animal Types | |
| Ingredients | Cereals |
| Cakes and Meals | |
| Other Ingredients | |
| Geography | Germany |
| United Kingdom | |
| France | |
| Russia | |
| Spain | |
| Rest of Europe |
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Europe Ruminant Feed Market Research Faqs
How big is the Europe Ruminant Feed Market?
The Europe Ruminant Feed Market size is expected to reach USD 36.71 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 3.70% to reach USD 44.02 billion by 2030.
What is the current Europe Ruminant Feed Market size?
In 2025, the Europe Ruminant Feed Market size is expected to reach USD 36.71 billion.
Who are the key players in Europe Ruminant Feed Market?
Nutreco N.V., Alltech Inc., Archer Daniels Midland, ForFarmers N.V. and Cargill Inc. are the major companies operating in the Europe Ruminant Feed Market.
What years does this Europe Ruminant Feed Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Europe Ruminant Feed Market size was estimated at USD 35.35 billion. The report covers the Europe Ruminant Feed Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Europe Ruminant Feed Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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Europe Ruminant Feed Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Europe Ruminant Feed market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Europe Ruminant Feed analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
