Animal feed production will grow by 3% in 2025, says Sindirações.

The National Union of Animal Feed Industries – Sindirações confirms the sector's growth in 2025, following the recovery of animal protein chains and the improvement in the cost conditions of the main inputs. National production of feed and supplements reached approximately 94 million tons, an increase of over 3% compared to the 91 million tons registered in 2024. For 2026, the sector's projection points to 97 million tons, consolidating a cycle of moderate expansion, sustained by the intensification of livestock production and the increased demand for animal protein in Brazil and abroad. “After a period of greater volatility, especially associated with grain costs and the macroeconomic environment, the sector has returned to consistent growth. The animal feed chain follows the performance of livestock and aquaculture production in the country,” says Ariovaldo Zani, CEO of Sindirações. Among the segments that consume the most feed, broiler farming maintained consistent growth. Production increased from 36.9 million tons in 2024 to 37.85 million tons in 2025, a rise of 2.5%. This performance follows the increase in chicken slaughter, which grew by 3.1% in the year, according to preliminary data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). For 2026, the expectation is that feed consumption in the segment will reach 39.1 million tons, driven mainly by exports. Egg production is also expanding and has increased the demand for animal nutrition. Production of feed for commercial laying hens advanced from 7.18 million tons in 2024 to 7.43 million tons in 2025, a growth of 3.5%. In the same period, national egg production increased by 5.6%, reflecting the expansion of domestic consumption. For 2026, the projection is 7.73 million tons. In pig farming, demand for feed showed a gradual recovery after a period of greater volatility in the sector. Consumption increased from 21.6 million tons in 2024 to 22.5 million tons in 2025, a rise of 4.2%. Pig slaughter grew by 4.3% during the year, signaling a recovery in production. For 2026, the forecast is for 23.1 million tons of feed destined for the activity. Beef cattle farming was one of the highlights of the year, driven by the expansion of feedlots in the country. Feed production destined for the segment advanced from 7.22 million tons in 2024 to 7.76 million tons in 2025, a growth of 7.5%. Cattle slaughter increased by 8.2%, according to IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics). Data from the Feedlot Census, prepared by Cepea/Esalq/USP, indicates that the number of confined animals jumped from 7.96 million head in 2024 to 9.25 million in 2025, an expansion of 16%. By 2026, the volume could approach 10 million head, which tends to further increase feed consumption in the segment. “The advancement of feedlots is one of the most relevant structural factors for the growth of the animal feed industry. As Brazilian livestock farming intensifies, nutrition plays an increasingly strategic role in productivity and efficiency gains,” highlights Zani. Despite the positive scenario, the sector is cautiously monitoring developments in international trade, especially after China applied safeguards to beef imports, with an annual quota of approximately 1.1 million tons and additional tariffs for excess volumes. In dairy farming, the demand for feed has also grown significantly. Consumption increased from 7.1 million tons in 2024 to 7.66 million tons in 2025, a rise of 7.9%. According to preliminary data from IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), formal milk acquisition increased by 8% during the period, indicating a recovery in production. The expectation for 2026 is 7.9 million tons of animal feed. The pet food market maintained a more moderate, yet consistent, expansion. Production increased from 4.01 million tons in 2024 to 4.04 million tons in 2025, with a projection of 4.15 million tons in 2026. This growth has been driven by pet owners' increased concern for the nutrition, health, and well-being of their pets, as well as the expansion of digital sales channels. "The humanization of pets has driven the evolution of the market, with greater demand for nutritionally more complete products, specialized formulations, and solutions focused on the health and longevity of animals," adds the CEO of Sindirações (Brazilian Association of Animal Feed Manufacturers). Aquaculture remains one of the most dynamic segments of the chain. Feed production increased from 1.79 million tons in 2024 to 1.9 million tons in 2025, a growth of 5.3%. Brazilian fish farming already exceeds 1 million tons of farmed fish, predominantly tilapia. By 2026, the forecast is that aquaculture feed production will approach 2 million tons, driven by increased exports, growth in domestic fish consumption, and technological advances in production. “The three-year period 2024–2026 confirms a trajectory of gradual expansion of the animal feed industry, sustained by the simultaneous evolution of animal protein chains. However, geopolitical and commercial factors tend to exert increasing influence on the sector's business environment,” concludes Zani.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.