Market overview
The global single cell protein animal feed market is worth USD 184 mn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 682 mn by 2036, growing at a 14.0% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Bacterial (methane or hydrogen fed) is the largest by source segment.
| Scope | Protein-rich biomass of bacteria, yeast, fungi and microalgae grown on gas, sugars or by-products, sold as an ingredient in fish, pig, poultry, calf and pet feed. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 160 mn |
| Value 2026 | USD 184 mn |
| Value 2036 | USD 682 mn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 14.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 82,143 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 372,698 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 2,240 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Single Cell Protein Animal Feed market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 184 mn |
| 2027 | USD 210 mn |
| 2028 | USD 239 mn |
| 2029 | USD 273 mn |
| 2030 | USD 311 mn |
| 2031 | USD 354 mn |
| 2032 | USD 404 mn |
| 2033 | USD 460 mn |
| 2034 | USD 525 mn |
| 2035 | USD 598 mn |
| 2036 | USD 682 mn |
Single Cell Protein Animal Feed market segmentation
By source
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial (methane or hydrogen fed) | 45.0% | 56.7% | USD 83 mn | 16.7% |
| Yeast | 35.0% | 23.8% | USD 64 mn | 9.7% |
| Fungal and microalgae | 20.0% | 19.4% | USD 37 mn | 13.7% |
By animal
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquaculture | 45.0% | 53.1% | USD 83 mn | 15.9% |
| Swine | 25.0% | 20.8% | USD 46 mn | 11.9% |
| Poultry | 15.0% | 12.5% | USD 28 mn | 11.9% |
| Calves and pets | 15.0% | 13.6% | USD 28 mn | 12.9% |
By feedstock
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gas and methane | 34.0% | 30.0% | USD 63 mn | 12.6% |
| Hydrogen and CO2 | 22.0% | 28.0% | USD 40 mn | 16.8% |
| Sugars and agricultural by-products | 30.0% | 28.0% | USD 55 mn | 13.2% |
| Industrial off-gas and waste streams | 14.0% | 14.0% | USD 26 mn | 14.0% |
By form
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dried powder | 48.0% | 45.0% | USD 88 mn | 13.3% |
| Pelleted and extruded | 34.0% | 36.0% | USD 63 mn | 14.7% |
| Liquid and paste | 18.0% | 19.0% | USD 33 mn | 14.6% |
By substitution role
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishmeal replacement | 52.0% | 50.0% | USD 96 mn | 13.6% |
| Soy replacement | 30.0% | 31.0% | USD 55 mn | 14.4% |
| Specialty and starter feeds | 18.0% | 19.0% | USD 33 mn | 14.6% |
Top 25 countries for single cell protein animal feed by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 80.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 95.1%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 52 mn | 28.0% | USD 201 mn | 14.6% |
| 2 | Norway | USD 17 mn | 9.0% | USD 59 mn | 13.6% |
| 3 | Chile | USD 15 mn | 8.0% | USD 53 mn | 13.6% |
| 4 | United States | USD 15 mn | 8.0% | USD 57 mn | 14.6% |
| 5 | Vietnam | USD 11 mn | 6.0% | USD 43 mn | 14.6% |
| 6 | Russia | USD 9.2 mn | 5.0% | USD 23 mn | 9.7% |
| 7 | India | USD 9.2 mn | 5.0% | USD 39 mn | 15.5% |
| 8 | Brazil | USD 9.2 mn | 5.0% | USD 35 mn | 14.4% |
| 9 | Denmark | USD 5.5 mn | 3.0% | USD 20 mn | 13.6% |
| 10 | Indonesia | USD 5.5 mn | 3.0% | USD 21 mn | 14.4% |
| 11 | Japan | USD 5.3 mn | 2.9% | USD 19 mn | 13.5% |
| 12 | Germany | USD 3.5 mn | 1.9% | USD 13 mn | 13.5% |
| 13 | Netherlands | USD 2.7 mn | 1.5% | USD 9.7 mn | 13.4% |
| 14 | France | USD 2.3 mn | 1.2% | USD 8.0 mn | 13.4% |
| 15 | United Kingdom | USD 1.9 mn | 1.1% | USD 6.9 mn | 13.6% |
| 16 | Thailand | USD 1.7 mn | 0.9% | USD 6.9 mn | 14.9% |
| 17 | Spain | USD 1.5 mn | 0.8% | USD 5.4 mn | 13.4% |
| 18 | Canada | USD 1.4 mn | 0.8% | USD 4.9 mn | 13.4% |
| 19 | Turkey | USD 1.3 mn | 0.7% | USD 4.5 mn | 13.5% |
| 20 | Egypt | USD 1.2 mn | 0.6% | USD 4.8 mn | 15.0% |
| 21 | Ecuador | USD 1.1 mn | 0.6% | USD 4.4 mn | 14.9% |
| 22 | Bangladesh | USD 1.0 mn | 0.6% | USD 4.2 mn | 15.0% |
| 23 | Philippines | USD 0.98 mn | 0.5% | USD 4.0 mn | 15.0% |
| 24 | Poland | USD 0.92 mn | 0.5% | USD 3.3 mn | 13.5% |
| 25 | South Korea | USD 0.88 mn | 0.5% | USD 3.1 mn | 13.5% |
| Rest of world | USD 9.0 mn | 4.9% | USD 29 mn | 12.6% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Calysta
- Unibio
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Lallemand Animal Nutrition
- Alltech
- Biorigin
- Leiber
- Angel Yeast
- Lesaffre
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- KnipBio
- String Bio
- Kiverdi
- NovoNutrients
- Superbrewed Food
- MicroHarvest
- Enifer
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the single cell protein animal feed market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 14.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by source, by animal, by feedstock, by form, by substitution role. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the single cell protein animal feed market?
The global single cell protein animal feed market is estimated at USD 160 mn in 2025 and USD 184 mn in 2026.
How fast will the single cell protein animal feed market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 682 mn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 14.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 498 mn.
Which country is the largest market for single cell protein animal feed?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 52 mn in 2026, 28.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 45.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 15.5% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which single cell protein animal feed segment is largest?
In the by source split, Bacterial (methane or hydrogen fed) is the largest segment with 45.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading single cell protein animal feed companies?
Global leaders include Calysta, Unibio.
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