Date: 12/01/2026

The year 2026 brings a trend of change in the animal protein chain and, consequently, in animal nutrition. For animal protein, the scenario combines a slowdown in global production growth, margin pressures related to costs and animal health, and changes in consumption driven by price, nutritional value, and sustainability. In general terms, as indicated by Rabobank’s 2026 Animal Protein Outlook, poultry and aquaculture show growth, while cattle and swine present a downturn. In addition to the mapping presented above for animal protein sources, changes driven by global trade issues, regulatory shifts, and the need for greater efficiency and productivity can also be highlighted.

In parallel, animal nutrition shows moderate growth, with emphasis on innovation in additives and ingredients (functional ingredients, enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, and organic minerals), process digitalization, nutritional management, and increased demand for protein and premium pet food. In Brazil, the protein industry maintains global relevance following recent production records, but prepares for 2026 with the challenge of balancing production stability and sustainability pressures, directly impacting portfolios and positioning in nutrition for poultry, swine, ruminants, aquaculture, and pet food.

In this blog, you will find:

Expansion of protein ingredients and dynamics of the animal feed market

Pressure for efficiency, productivity, animal health, and cost reduction—driven by trade barriers and global volatility—requires adjustments in feed formulation definitions and ingredient selection, bringing precision nutrition to the center of nutritional strategies.

Precision nutrition is based on continuous updates of nutrient matrices and dynamic formulations according to ingredient and additive price and availability. In practice, this translates into robust modeling of energy and digestible amino acids to optimize costs; the strategic use of enzymes to release nutrients and reduce antinutritional factors; the application of probiotics and prebiotics to promote microbiota stability and gut health, contributing to animal health; and, finally, the use of organic minerals and functional ingredients to support immune function and improve productive performance.

In the pet industry, functional ingredients are also gaining prominence, driven by growing demand for nutritional strategies focused on disease prevention, management of chronic conditions (such as allergies), and the promotion of longevity. This movement reinforces the convergence between the expansion of functional protein ingredients and the increasing adoption of these solutions, resulting in health-oriented diets grounded in scientific evidence.

More Price-Sensitive Consumers and Greater Attention to Nutritional Value

The global GDP slowdown forecast for 2026 is expected to directly impact the animal nutrition sector, generating pressure for cost reductions throughout the entire production chain. At the same time, this scenario creates room to strengthen communication around the functional benefits of feeds and to promote more efficient nutritional systems. In this context, it becomes essential for feed manufacturers to evaluate not only the price per ton, but also the functional and nutritional efficiency of ingredients—and consequently of the final feed—ensuring more competitive, consistent products aligned with market demands.

As a response to this movement, feed premiumization is observed, especially in the pet market, where there is growing appreciation for attributes related to health, immunity, performance, longevity, and bioavailability. These benefits make investment in higher-quality feeds a decision based on conscious productivity. More precise diets with higher nutritional density enable lower feed intake per kilogram of weight gain, reducing total production costs and consolidating a business perspective based on intelligent nutrition, in which formulation is no longer guided solely by economic factors.

In this scenario, technical communication becomes a relevant strategic and commercial differentiator, especially for ingredients with functional properties. Clear, objective communication grounded in scientific evidence, supported by technical studies and in vivo trials, allows the concept and real value of each ingredient to be demonstrated accurately. This approach strengthens the investment rationale by practically highlighting its impacts on productive performance (such as weight gain and feed conversion), as well as on immunity and gut health, contributing to better survival rates and greater production stability.

Premiumization, Quality, and New Nutritional Approaches

The advance of premiumization in the pet market reflects a shift in how pet owners evaluate their animals’ nutrition. Purchase decisions increasingly consider attributes such as nutritional quality, ingredient functionality, transparency regarding raw material origin, and evidence of product performance. Premiumization is also expressed in the diversification of feeding formats. The gradual migration from dry foods to wet, refrigerated, or frozen options is gaining ground, especially in more developed markets such as the United Kingdom and the United States, where pet owners show greater willingness to invest in feeding experiences closer to human food.

In this context, alternative protein sources—including meat by-products, insects, and cultivated solutions—are being explored for their nutritional potential and ability to meet specific demands such as food allergies, dietary diversification, and sustainability, while preserving highly exploited resources such as marine ingredients.

At the same time, the pet food industry is consolidating itself as one of the most relevant and dynamic segments of the pet market. Despite the continuous increase in product innovation, research and development focused on performance evaluation still rely largely on traditional palatability methodologies. The most commonly used tests focus on the amount of food consumed, typically through one- or two-bowl trials, offering a limited view of the factors influencing animal food preferences.

Significant gaps remain in understanding the reasons behind observed differences in consumption, especially at the level of fundamental ingredients. Studies indicate that dogs and cats exhibit distinct feeding behaviors, nutritional needs, and sensory responses, reinforcing the importance of species-specific approaches in product development. In addition, currently available food formats—dry, wet, semi-moist, snacks, and special diets—and the ingredients used in these products influence consumption. Modern analytical methods are gaining relevance in the development of pet foods.

Claims such as functionality, longevity, and well-being becoming demands for formulators

Functional nutrition is consolidating as one of the main technical pillars in the development of companion animal foods. Formulations must consider physiological effects associated with continuous consumption, taking into account impacts on gut health, the immune system, energy metabolism, and behavior throughout the animal’s life.

As in human nutrition, the health of dogs and cats is influenced by dietary characteristics. A balanced diet providing proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals in proportions appropriate to different life stages is essential. To this basic set are added functional ingredients such as prebiotics, specific fibers, compounds aimed at joint health, and metabolic modulators, which act as nutritional tools to promote animal health and well-being.

In recent years, research in companion animal nutrition has also emphasized metabolic effects triggered by food intake. These effects are associated with health changes that develop over months or years, including influences on urinary health, nephropathy, joint disorders, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and carbohydrate intolerance, such as diabetes mellitus. The relationship between diet, metabolism, and chronic health reinforces the role of nutrition as a central element in promoting longevity and quality of life for dogs and cats.

Discussions on preventive health highlight nutritional solutions aimed at healthy aging and disease prevention. Studies on energy restriction, nutrient utilization by animals, and modulation of metabolic responses demonstrate how dietary adjustments can positively influence life expectancy and quality of life over time (Kealy et al., 2002; Teshima et al., 2010). Functional treats, especially in the feline segment, emerge as a still underexplored practical application, promoting functional support through food-based solutions backed by rigorous technical criteria in ingredient selection.

Aquaculture in 2026: What Changes in This New Scenario?

Despite forecasts of slowdown for some species in 2026, the aquaculture sector displays a resilient outlook. Recent analyses indicate that after years of exceptional growth, global production of species such as salmon and shrimp is expected to continue advancing, albeit at a more moderate pace. This includes projected growth of approximately 6% for carp species, around 4% for sea bass and sea bream, and smaller yet positive increases for shrimp, tilapia, and pangasius.

In Brazil, this movement gains institutional reinforcement: during COP30, the federal government presented a national plan to encourage aquaculture, highlighting the sector’s role in food security and in reducing pressure on production chains highly dependent on inputs. The inclusion of aquaculture in the climate and sustainability agenda strengthens its relevance on the global stage and creates structural foundations to support sector growth in the coming years.

In addition, Brazilian exports of farmed fish products reached record levels, with significant growth in both volume and commercial value.

The pet food market also reflects behavioral changes that directly impact nutritional formulations. Recent trend data indicate that pet owners are increasingly attentive to the quality of products they offer their animals, prioritizing natural ingredients, formulations that deliver functionality, and diets oriented toward health and well-being. This includes growing consumer interest in feeds whose labels address benefits such as improved digestibility, immunity, and management of allergic conditions, among others.

Contemporary pet owners have come to view their pets as true family members, redefining consumption decisions in the pet segment. This new behavior drives the search for more qualified and personalized solutions, especially in nutrition, with greater appreciation for natural diets, feeds formulated for specific needs, and gourmet treats. In parallel, investment in health and well-being is growing, with the expansion of services such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and insurance tailored to companion animals.

Technology also plays a relevant role in this process through the use of smart devices, care management applications, and e-commerce platforms, which enhance convenience and strengthen the relationship between pet owners, pets, and brands.

The pet food market increasingly reflects changes in final consumer behavior, with nutrition being viewed as a determining factor for animal health and longevity. Concern about food allergies has emerged as one of the main decision drivers. In Brazil, 77% of pet owners report concern that foods may trigger allergic reactions, while in the United States, 35% of pet owners say allergy control is now a higher priority than it used to be.

This movement is already reflected in global product launches. The share of pet products with claims of low, reduced, or no allergen content increased from 29% in 2020 to 31% in 2024, with a particular emphasis on dog foods, indicating a direct industry response to new consumer demands.

At the same time, attention to food processing levels is increasing. In the United Kingdom, 48% of pet owners agree that concerns about the nutritional quality of ultra-processed foods have made industrial pet food less attractive, while younger pet owners in the United States express similar perceptions, viewing commercial pet food as overly processed. This behavior has stimulated the search for alternatives perceived as more natural and transparent.

As a result, there is consistent growth in products positioned as natural. Currently, 51% of global pet food launches feature claims related to the natural category, compared to 47% five years ago, highlighting a structural market trend. On the other hand, the share of launches with organic claims has been declining, signaling opportunities for innovation in formulations that combine natural positioning, nutritional performance, and production viability.

These data reinforce the emergence of a more informed, demanding consumer willing to invest in products that promote health, safety, and trust, raising the technical standards required for formulations and ingredients used by the industry.

Final Considerations

Projections for 2026 highlight the advancement of functional ingredients, the expansion of sectors such as aquaculture, the strengthening of protein-focused formulations, the growth of the pet market, and the incorporation of more sustainable practices.

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