South America Silage Additives Market Analysis
The South America Silage Additives Market size is estimated at USD 65.20 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 79.10 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.94% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
- Silage additives are substances added during the ensiling process to improve the preservation, quality, and nutritional value of silage-fermented, high-moisture stored fodder for livestock. These additives enhance fermentation, minimize nutrient loss, prevent spoilage, and control the growth of harmful microorganisms such as molds and yeasts. They also improve the digestibility and palatability of silage for animals. In South America, particularly Brazil, the extensive production of cereals and forages, including soybeans and corn, supports large-scale livestock farming. Brazil's soybean production increased from 114.3 million metric tons in 2019 to 152.1 million metric tons in 2023, according to FAOSTAT data. The region's established practice of forage preservation through silage ensures consistent, year-round availability of quality animal feed. The use of silage additives enhances the fermentation efficiency, nutritional content, and storage duration of silage, contributing to the overall productivity of the livestock industry.
- The demand for meat and dairy products in South America continues to increase, driven by population growth, urbanization, and rising incomes. The region's meat exports have shown significant growth. Argentina's frozen bovine meat exports increased from 472.0 thousand metric tons in 2019 to 580.5 thousand metric tons in 2023, according to ITC Trade Map data. Brazil's meat export capacity expanded with the approval of 38 new meat production facilities in 2024, increasing the total approved facilities from 106 to 144, according to the Secretary of Commerce and International Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. This growth in demand necessitates efficient livestock production systems, where high-quality feed is essential, driving the demand for silage additives.
South America Silage Additives Market Trends
Expansion of Corn and Forage Crops in the Region
Corn serves as a primary feed grain and an essential component in livestock diets, providing a crucial energy source. South America ranks among the largest corn-producing regions globally, with Brazil's production reaching 131.95 million metric tons in 2023, as reported by FAOSTAT, while Argentina produced 41.4 million metric tons in the same year. This substantial production supports both grain exports and domestic livestock industries that depend on silage for year-round feed availability. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that Brazil's corn usage for feed purposes constituted 48.2% of the total corn supply in 2024. Corn silage remains valuable for its high energy content and effectiveness in dairy and beef cattle nutrition. The implementation of genetically modified (GM) corn and drought-resistant forage varieties has increased yields, ensuring a stable raw material supply for silage production.
The cultivation of forage crops, including alfalfa, sorghum, and grasses, is extensive across Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Chile, where livestock farming is central to agricultural activities. In 2023, Argentina dedicated 7 million hectares to forage crops, while Brazil allocated over 18 million hectares to corn for silage production, indicating significant market potential for silage additives. The expansion of forage crop areas correlates with increasing demand for efficient and sustainable feed solutions. Large-scale farms and cooperatives in Brazil and Argentina have incorporated advanced silage-making technologies, generating higher demand for effective silage additives. The application of specific inoculants for lactic acid fermentation has proven beneficial in improving feed digestibility and livestock productivity. The region's extended dry seasons and variable rainfall patterns necessitate silage as a vital component of feed management strategies, ensuring feed availability during forage shortages.
Brazil Dominates the South America Silage Additive Market
Brazil leads the regional silage additives market, supported by its extensive forage crop production and widespread application of silage additives in crop storage and livestock feed. The country's position is strengthened by its large-scale cultivation of cereals and legumes, essential for silage production. According to the FAOSTAT, Brazil's cereal production grew from 121.2 million metric tons in 2019 to 155.9 million metric tons in 2023. The country primarily cultivates corn and sorghum for silage production, with corn representing 84.6% of total cereal production in 2023, as reported by FAOSTAT. Sorghum cultivation area expanded from 0.82 million hectares in 2019 to 1.34 million hectares in 2023, indicating increased demand in both human consumption and animal feed sectors. Most of this cereal production is converted into forage crops for livestock feed.
The demand for year-round silage continues to grow as dairy farmers shift from grazing to housed systems, and beef cattle production in feedlots increases. Whole-plant maize silage remains the primary conserved forage in dairy and beef operations, while grain silages from maize and sorghum gain increased adoption. Brazil's meat exports reflect this growth, with bovine meat exports rising from 1.36 million metric tons in 2019 to 1.83 million metric tons in 2023, according to ITC Trade Map data. Commercial farms utilize silage additives, including inoculants, organic acids, and enzymes, to enhance fermentation, improve nutrient retention, and extend silage shelf life. These additives ensure consistent and nutritious feed supply for livestock, particularly during periods of fresh forage scarcity.
South America Silage Additives Industry Overview
The South American silage additive market is consolidated, with a few global companies holding significant market shares in the well-developed regional markets. These companies have increased their research and development investments to enhance product performance through innovation. The growing demand for efficient additives is projected to increase market competition and create market dynamics during the forecast period. The major companies in the region's silage additive market include Lallemand Inc., ADM, DSM-Firmenich (Biomin Holding GmbH), Chr. Hansen A/S, part of Novonesis, and BASF SE.
South America Silage Additives Market Leaders
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Lallemand Inc.
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ADM
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DSM-Firmenich (Biomin Holding GmbH)
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Chr. Hansen A/S, part of Novonesis
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BASF SE
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
South America Silage Additives Market News
- March 2024: EW Nutrition, a global provider of animal nutrition solutions, acquired the BIOMIN BIOSTABIL product line from DSM-firmenich. The acquisition grants EW Nutrition ownership of an established silage inoculants portfolio. The proven silage inoculants line strengthens EW Nutrition's On-Farm Solutions offerings for customers in South America.
- November 2022: Alltech has launched Egalis, a new range of high-quality silage inoculants designed to improve nutrient quality, enhance forage stability, and minimize dry matter loss. These inoculants use specialized bacteria strains for effective fermentation and nutrient protection.
South America Silage Additives Industry Segmentation
Silage additives are substances, either natural or manufactured, that are applied to crops during harvest in liquid or solid form. These additives enhance the preservation process of silage from initial fermentation through to livestock feeding. The South America Silage Additives market is segmented by type into silage inoculants, organic acids & salts, enzymes, adsorbents, preservatives, and other types, by silage type into cereals, legumes, and other silage types, and by geography to cover the key market trends across major countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and the Rest of South America. This report offers market size in terms of both value (USD) and volume (metric tons).
Type | Inoculants |
Organic Acids & Salts | |
Enzymes | |
Adsorbents | |
Preservatives | |
Other Types | |
Silage Type | Cereals |
Legumes | |
Other Silage Types | |
Geography | Brazil |
Argentina | |
Rest of South America |
South America Silage Additives Market Research FAQs
How big is the South America Silage Additives Market?
The South America Silage Additives Market size is expected to reach USD 65.20 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 3.94% to reach USD 79.10 million by 2030.
What is the current South America Silage Additives Market size?
In 2025, the South America Silage Additives Market size is expected to reach USD 65.20 million.
Who are the key players in South America Silage Additives Market?
Lallemand Inc., ADM, DSM-Firmenich (Biomin Holding GmbH), Chr. Hansen A/S, part of Novonesis and BASF SE are the major companies operating in the South America Silage Additives Market.
What years does this South America Silage Additives Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the South America Silage Additives Market size was estimated at USD 62.63 million. The report covers the South America Silage Additives Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the South America Silage Additives Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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South America Silage Additives Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 South America Silage Additives market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. South America Silage Additives 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.