What this market covers
Protein rich materials such as soybean meal, fish meal, meat meal and insect or single cell protein used to balance animal diets. Feed mills buy them in bulk.
Typical segments
- Soybean meal
- Fish meal
- Meat and bone meal
- Insect protein
- Single cell protein
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +29% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted +7% since 2020.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €6.93 billion of products under CN code 23040000 (Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in the form of pellets,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 6.93 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 23040000 were up 29% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€5.37 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +29 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 23040000 to countries outside the EU were worth €201.2 million in 2025. | 201.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 23040000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.49 billion in 2025. | 2.49 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Brazil was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 23040000 to the EU in 2025, with €3.50 billion, or 51% of extra-EU imports. | 3.50 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 23040000 to the United States were €76 thousand in 2025. | 76 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 23040000 was €0.33 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 0.33 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Netherlands was the largest EU exporter of CN 23040000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €55.9 million. | 55.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 4,085 enterprises in NACE class C1091 (Manufacture of prepared feeds for farm animals) in 2023. | 4,085 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1091 had net turnover of €87.28 billion in 2023. | 87.28 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1091 employed 92,398 people across the EU in 2023. | 92,398 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,993 private establishments in NAICS 311119 (Other animal food manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,993 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311119 employed an average of 37,301 people in US private industry in 2025. | 37,301 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311119 changed by +7% between 2020 (34,847 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +7 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311119 was $77,036 in 2025. | 77,036 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 23040000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6927714061
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 23040000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 5365233818; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 6927714061
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 23040000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 201212270
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 23040000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2494966220
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 23040000, partner BR, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3502088541
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 23040000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 75575
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 23040000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6927714061, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 208604233
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter NL, product 23040000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 55899475
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1091, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 4085
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1091, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 87280
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1091, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 92398
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311119, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311119, annual_avg_estabs 1993
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311119, annual_avg_emplvl 37301
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 34847; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 37301
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311119, avg_annual_pay 77036
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Feed mills
- Poultry and swine integrators
- Aquafeed producers
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU animal feed protein ingredients market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €6.93 billion of goods under CN 23040000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €201.2 million.
Where does the EU import animal feed protein ingredients from?
Brazil was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Argentina, Ukraine, China.
What is the average import price of animal feed protein ingredients in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.33 per kilogram for CN 23040000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most animal feed protein ingredients?
Netherlands led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Greece.
How many US companies are in the animal feed protein ingredients industry?
BLS counts 1,993 private establishments in NAICS 311119 (Other animal food manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the animal feed protein ingredients industry?
Eurostat counts 4,085 enterprises in NACE class C1091 (Manufacture of prepared feeds for farm animals).
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