United States Compound Feed Market Analysis
The United States Compound Feed Market size is estimated at USD 270.40 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 333.80 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.30% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The United States ranks as the second-largest compound feed producer globally and houses some of the world's largest and most sophisticated animal feed manufacturers, supported by its extensive livestock and poultry industries. According to the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the United States feed industry produces approximately 284 million tons of compound feed annually. The sector exhibits high levels of vertical integration, particularly in the poultry and swine segments, where major meat processing companies operate their own feed manufacturing facilities.
The United States compound feed industry structure has transformed over the past decade through increased consolidation among major companies. Large integrated operations have invested in manufacturing facilities with automation and quality control systems and pursued acquisitions to enhance production capacity. For instance, Cargill acquired two feed mills from Compana Pet Brands in Denver, Colorado, and Kansas City, Kansas. These acquisitions will strengthen Cargill's production and distribution capabilities for its Animal Nutrition and Health business in the country in 2024. The industry currently includes approximately 5,800 feed mills across the nation, spanning large commercial operations to smaller regional manufacturers.
In 2023, the United States produced 62.4 million metric tons of compound feed for beef cattle, according to the Alltech survey, positioning it as the largest segment in the U.S. feed production market. The growth in beef cattle feed production stems from increased domestic and international beef demand, alongside wider implementation of advanced feed formulations that enhance livestock productivity and health. Broilers constitute the second-largest category of compound feed production in the U.S., reaching 58.85 million metric tons in 2023. This production volume reflects consumer preference for chicken as a protein source and the extensive poultry farming infrastructure in the country.
United States Compound Feed Market Trends
Increasing Demand for Meat, Dairy, and Eggs
According to United States Department of Agriculture data, the total per capita consumption of meat and poultry in the United States reached approximately 229.5 pounds per person in 2024, representing a significant increase from previous years. The broiler chicken sector has seen particularly strong growth, with per capita consumption reaching nearly 102.3 pounds, driving substantial demand for specialized poultry feed formulations. This growth has prompted major integrated poultry companies to expand their feed manufacturing capabilities, with companies like General Mills and Pilgrim's Pride operating extensive networks of feed mills to support their growing operations.
The dairy sector continues to evolve with changing consumer preferences, particularly the shift toward higher-protein dairy products. Greek yogurt consumption has increased significantly over the past decade, requiring more milk per unit of product compared to traditional yogurt. The USDA reports that cheese consumption has reached record levels, exceeding 42 pounds per capita annually. This demand for dairy products has sustained a large dairy herd in the U.S., with approximately 9.4 million dairy cows requiring specialized dairy feed formulations, according to United States National Agricultural Statistics Services. Major dairy states like California, Wisconsin, and Idaho have experienced corresponding investments in feed manufacturing capacity to support this demand.
Per capita egg consumption has increased by 4.8% over the past two decades, reaching approximately 300 eggs annually, according to United Egg Producers. The increasing demand for cage-free and organic eggs has created requirements for specialized feed formulations, as these production systems require distinct nutritional profiles. The compound feed industry has developed new formulations specifically for cage-free laying hens, which have different nutritional needs compared to conventionally housed birds. This growth in egg consumption is driving the feed production for layers in the country.
Ruminants Dominate the Market
The compound feed production in the United States is dominated by the ruminant sector, primarily serving beef cattle, which forms the foundation of the country's livestock industry. As of 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported 87.2 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms. This includes approximately 28.2 million heads of beef cattle, highlighting the substantial scale of this industry.
The dairy sector represents a crucial component of ruminant feed demand, with approximately 9.4 million dairy cows requiring specialized nutrition programs. High-producing dairy cows consume between 50-60 pounds of dry matter daily, with a significant portion coming from compound feeds and supplements. The concentration of dairy operations in states like California, Wisconsin, and Idaho has supported the development of specialized dairy feed manufacturing facilities.
Technological advancement in feed manufacturing has benefited the ruminant sector significantly. Modern feed mills serving cattle operations have implemented sophisticated micro-ingredient systems that precisely incorporate vitamins, minerals, and feed additives into large-volume productions. The facilities have integrated computer-controlled batching systems to manage multiple formulations while maintaining accuracy and consistency. Major feed manufacturers such as Cargill and ADM have implemented near-infrared (NIR) technology for real-time ingredient analysis, enabling rapid formulation adjustments to optimize feed efficiency and cost for ruminants.
United States Compound Feed Industry Overview
The compound feed market is consolidated in nature with many small, medium, and big companies present at various levels at national, international, and continental levels. Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Incorporated, Alltech, DSM, and J.D. Heiskell & Co. are some of the major players in the market studied in the country. Companies are focusing majorly on mergers, and acquisitions, which help in increasing their market shares.
United States Compound Feed Market Leaders
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Archer Daniels Midland Company
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Cargill Incorporated
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Alltech
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DSM
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J.D. Heiskell & Co.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
United States Compound Feed Market News
- September 2024: Cargill acquired two feed mills from Compana Pet Brands, located in Denver, Colorado, and Kansas City, Kansas. These acquisitions strengthen Cargill's Animal Nutrition and Health business by expanding its production and distribution capabilities in the United States.
- March 2023: International Flavors & Fragrances launched Axtra PRIME, a feed solution for piglets in the United States. The product contains an enzyme blend of beta-glucanase and alpha-amylase, designed to address digestibility challenges in swine during their early development stage.
United States Compound Feed Industry Segmentation
Compound feed is a mixture of raw materials and supplements fed to the livestock, sourced from either plant, animal, organic or inorganic substances or industrial processing, whether or not containing additives. The United States Compound Feed Market is segmented by Animal Type (Ruminants, Poultry, Swine, Aquaculture, and Others) and by Ingredients (Cereal, Cakes & Meals, By-Products, and Supplements). The report offers the market size and forecasts in terms of volume (Metric Tons) and value (USD) for all the above segments.
Ingredient | Cereals |
Cakes & Meals | |
By-Products | |
Supplements | |
Animal Type | Ruminants |
Poultry | |
Swine | |
Aquaculture | |
Other Animal Types |
United States Compound Feed Market Research FAQs
How big is the United States Compound Feed Market?
The United States Compound Feed Market size is expected to reach USD 270.40 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 4.30% to reach USD 333.80 billion by 2030.
What is the current United States Compound Feed Market size?
In 2025, the United States Compound Feed Market size is expected to reach USD 270.40 billion.
Who are the key players in United States Compound Feed Market?
Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Incorporated, Alltech, DSM and J.D. Heiskell & Co. are the major companies operating in the United States Compound Feed Market.
What years does this United States Compound Feed Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the United States Compound Feed Market size was estimated at USD 258.77 billion. The report covers the United States Compound Feed Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the United States Compound Feed Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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United States Compound Feed Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 United States Compound Feed market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. United States Compound 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.