The Philippines aquafeed market size reached USD 3,919.30 Million in 2025. The market is projected to reach USD 7,257.04 Million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 7.08% during 2026-2034. The market is driven by government initiatives to reduce feed costs through local production and infrastructure development, the advancement of cost-effective alternative feed ingredients utilizing by-products and locally-sourced materials, and strategic national planning frameworks promoting sustainability and competitiveness. Feed costs constitute 70 percent of aquaculture expenses, making cost reduction initiatives critical for sector growth. The expansion of aquaculture production, particularly in major species like tilapia, milkfish, and shrimp, alongside government support for feed mill construction and research into alternative ingredients, is fueling the Philippines aquafeed market share.
The Philippines aquafeed market is positioned for substantial expansion driven by government initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of feed costs, which constitute up to 70 percent of total aquaculture production expenses. Strategic investments in local feed mill infrastructure and research into alternative protein sources from agricultural by-products will enhance feed affordability and accessibility. The National Aquaculture Development and Management Plan 2025-2030 provides a comprehensive framework for sector modernization, emphasizing sustainability and competitiveness. Additionally, the projected growth of Philippine aquaculture output to 965,000 metric tons by 2032, alongside continued expansion in high-value species cultivation, will sustain robust demand for quality aquafeed throughout the forecast period.
Artificial intelligence adoption in the Philippine aquafeed and aquaculture sectors remains in early developmental stages, with infrastructure limitations and awareness gaps presenting significant barriers. However, emerging AI applications demonstrate potential for transforming feed management practices. AI-powered systems are being developed for precision feeding, disease detection through behavioral monitoring, and optimization of feed conversion ratios. Projects such as Fish-I illustrate AI's capability in monitoring aquatic populations and environmental conditions efficiently. As digital infrastructure improves and the Department of Science and Technology continues investing over PHP 2.6 billion in AI projects, the technology is expected to play an increasingly important role in enhancing feed efficiency and aquaculture productivity.
Government Infrastructure Investment and Policy Support for Feed Production
The Philippine government is actively implementing initiatives to lower aquafeed production costs and strengthen the competitiveness of the aquaculture sector. Recognizing that feed expenses constitute a significant portion of production costs, government intervention focuses on infrastructure development and policy support to ease financial pressures on fish farmers. Key measures include the establishment of government-funded feed mills that utilize locally sourced raw materials, enhancing both cost efficiency and supply chain reliability. These facilities are strategically placed in major aquaculture regions to reduce transportation expenses and ensure steady feed availability. A notable example is the aquafeed mill approved in June 2025 in Barangay Bahit, Panay, Capiz, which will produce 30 metric tons of fish feed daily, covering roughly 30 percent of the province’s feed requirements. By sourcing raw materials locally, the facility is set to benefit over 1,300 fish farmers in Capiz, the country’s top milkfish-producing province, which contributes nearly half of the Western Visayas region’s aquaculture output. This project is among the largest government-funded feed mill initiatives under the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, with operations planned for eventual transition to local government management, reflecting a long-term strategy for sustainable aquaculture development. This infrastructure investment model demonstrates government commitment to supporting small-scale and medium-scale fish farmers through improved feed accessibility and affordability, directly contributing to the Philippines aquafeed market growth.
Development of Cost-Effective Alternative Feed Ingredients
Research institutions and government agencies in the Philippines are advancing the development of locally-sourced, cost-effective aquafeed alternatives to reduce reliance on expensive imported ingredients like fishmeal and fish oil. Price volatility of imported feed, amplified by geopolitical disruptions such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict, has heightened the need for sustainable domestic solutions. The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD), in partnership with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, has formulated feeds using by-products from corn and poultry processing, as well as fermented copra meal from the coconut industry. These approaches leverage abundant local agricultural resources while reducing dependence on constrained marine-derived ingredients. Trials conducted at research stations nationwide have shown that these alternative feeds deliver growth performance and biological outcomes comparable to commercial formulations, while offering significant cost savings. Field tests demonstrated reductions of up to 23 percent for milkfish and up to 32 percent for tilapia compared to conventional feeds. Programs led by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development aim to achieve feed formulations with up to 70 percent locally-sourced materials. Additionally, the Regional Database of Alternative Feed Ingredients catalogs 70 feed options with nutritional profiles and inclusion guidelines, serving as a practical resource for manufacturers and farmers to optimize costs.
National Aquaculture Development Planning and Sustainability Initiatives
The Philippine government has established comprehensive strategies to strengthen the sustainability, productivity, and global competitiveness of the aquaculture sector, creating favorable conditions for aquafeed market growth. Recognizing aquaculture’s vital role in food security and economic development, national initiatives focus on modernization, environmental stewardship, and inclusive growth that supports both smallholder farmers and larger commercial operators. The National Aquaculture Development and Management Plan (ADMP) 2025–2030, launched by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in September 2024, is the country’s first dedicated aquaculture development plan. Developed through extensive consultation with government agencies, private sector actors, academic institutions, and fishing communities, the ADMP provides a five-year roadmap addressing challenges such as environmental impacts, resource management, market competitiveness, and climate resilience, while promoting equitable and collaborative implementation. In 2023, Philippine aquaculture production reached 2.38 million metric tons, with seaweeds contributing nearly 70 percent of total output. Projections indicate further growth, with aquaculture’s share of national fisheries production expected to rise by 2032. Supported by the Fisheries Code, Agricultural Modernization Act, and other regulatory frameworks, this strategic environment encourages private sector investment in aquafeed production, research and development, and market expansion, driving the sector toward long-term sustainability and competitiveness.
High Feed Costs and Dependency on Imported Ingredients
Aquafeed represents the largest operational expense for Philippine fish farmers, significantly influencing farm profitability and industry growth. Small-scale operators are particularly affected, as high feed costs strain limited financial resources. Imported protein sources, including fish meal and soybean meal, are major cost drivers, and their prices are highly sensitive to global market fluctuations. Supply chain disruptions, such as temporary import restrictions and logistical challenges, further increase costs. The Philippines’ archipelagic geography compounds the problem, as feed manufacturing facilities are concentrated in major urban centers, making inter-island transport expensive and complex. Improper storage during transit can also reduce feed quality and nutrient content, placing additional pressure on farmers. These factors create an environment where feed affordability directly affects operational viability, and smallholders often struggle to achieve economies of scale or bargaining power in feed procurement. As aquaculture operations expand and farmers seek to maintain production levels, managing feed costs remains a critical challenge, shaping both short-term decisions and long-term growth strategies. Efficient, locally adapted, and cost-effective feed solutions are therefore essential to support the sustainability of Philippine aquaculture.
Climate Change Impacts and Natural Disasters
The Philippines’ location in the typhoon belt exposes its aquaculture sector to frequent and increasingly severe natural disasters, causing substantial production losses and infrastructure damage. Typhoons, heavy rainfall, and storm surges can destroy fish cages, ponds, and pens, killing cultured stocks and forcing farmers to restart production cycles. These events reduce feed consumption as fish populations decline and water quality deteriorates. Rising water temperatures and extreme weather also create favorable conditions for disease outbreaks, which further lower fish appetite and feed efficiency. Past disasters, such as Super Typhoon Haiyan, highlighted the devastating impacts of converting natural ecosystems, such as mangroves, into aquaculture areas. Climate projections suggest that extreme events will become more frequent and intense, increasing operational uncertainty for farmers and affecting feed demand stability. Environmental stressors like algal blooms and salinity changes from dry spells and typhoons exacerbate mortality risks, making feed planning and stock management increasingly challenging. As a result, climate change and natural disasters remain critical factors influencing aquafeed utilization, farm resilience, and the long-term sustainability of the Philippine aquaculture sector.
Environmental Degradation and Water Quality Issues
Unsustainable aquaculture practices in the Philippines have caused significant environmental degradation, threatening sector viability and affecting feed efficiency. Coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and seagrass meadows, have been converted into fish ponds, resulting in habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and reduced natural coastal protection. Overstocking and overfeeding generate excessive organic waste, depleting dissolved oxygen levels and producing harmful by-products such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which create lethal conditions for farmed fish. Recurring fish kills, as observed in lake cage aquaculture systems and coastal areas, reflect the combined effects of poor water circulation, eutrophication, and environmental stressors like harmful algal blooms. Reduced water quality decreases fish appetite and growth, undermining feed conversion efficiency. Contamination risks, including mycotoxins in plant-based feed ingredients, further threaten fish health, impairing growth, immune function, and cellular integrity. These environmental challenges create a negative feedback loop: poor water quality diminishes feed utilization, increases waste accumulation, and accelerates ecosystem degradation. Effective management of stocking densities, feeding practices, water quality, and feed safety is essential to maintain aquaculture productivity and safeguard both fish health and long-term environmental sustainability.
IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the Philippines aquafeed market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2026-2034. The market has been categorized based on species, ingredients, additives, and product form.
Analysis by Species:
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the species. This includes carps, marine shrimps, tilapias, catfishes, marine fishes, salmons, freshwater crustaceans, trout, and others.
Analysis by Ingredients:
A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the ingredients have also been provided in the report. This includes soybean, corn, fish meal, fish oil, additives, and others.
Analysis by Additives:
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the market based on additives. This includes vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, feed enzymes, and others.
Analysis by Product Form:
A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product form have also been provided in the report. This includes pellets, extruded, powdered, and liquid.
Analysis by Region:
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The Philippines aquafeed market is moderately competitive, characterized by the presence of established multinational feed manufacturers and domestic producers serving diverse aquaculture segments. Major international companies including Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Alltech maintain operations in the country, leveraging global expertise in feed formulation, ingredient sourcing, and quality control systems. These multinational players compete on technical innovation, product consistency, and comprehensive nutritional solutions across multiple species. Domestic manufacturers such as Santeh Feeds Corporation provide locally-adapted formulations with competitive pricing structures and responsive distribution networks tailored to Philippine aquaculture practices. The competitive landscape is evolving with government initiatives establishing public sector feed mills that introduce additional capacity while maintaining focus on affordability for smallholder farmers. Competition centers on feed conversion ratios, ingredient quality, pricing, technical support services, and supply reliability. The market also features regional feed cooperatives and smaller-scale producers serving localized markets with customized formulations. Strategic partnerships between feed manufacturers, research institutions, and government agencies are increasingly common, facilitating technology transfer and development of cost-effective alternative ingredients. The entry of government-backed feed facilities introduces a hybrid competitive dynamic that prioritizes public benefit alongside commercial viability.
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Report Features |
Details |
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Base Year of the Analysis |
2025 |
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Historical Period |
2020-2025 |
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Forecast Period |
2026-2034 |
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Units |
Million USD |
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Scope of the Report |
Exploration of Historical Trends and Market Outlook, Industry Catalysts and Challenges, Segment-Wise Historical and Future Market Assessment:
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Species Covered |
Carps, Marine Shrimps, Tilapias, Catfishes, Marine Fishes, Salmons, Freshwater Crustaceans, Trout, Others |
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Ingredients Covered |
Soybean, Corn, Fish Meal, Fish Oil, Additives, Others |
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Additives Covered |
Vitamins and Minerals, Antioxidants, Feed Enzymes, Others |
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Product Forms Covered |
Pellets, Extruded, Powdered, Liquid |
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Regions Covered |
Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao |
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Customization Scope |
10% Free Customization |
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Post-Sale Analyst Support |
10-12 Weeks |
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Delivery Format |
PDF and Excel through Email (We can also provide the editable version of the report in PPT/Word format on special request) |