Industry snapshot
Key public data points
Historical & forecast
Base year 2025. Each series is official through its own latest government-data year (shown in the legend on each chart), and years beyond that are Claight estimates. As of July 2026 the current year is still in progress (2026 annual data is not yet published), so the forecast runs to 2030.
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Connect to an analyst →Industry Definition and Scope
What does the Animal Feed Production in Canada industry cover?
The industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in milling, blending, and manufacturing complete feeds, micro and macro premixes, supplements, and concentrates for farm livestock and poultry. Its primary scope includes nutritional products designed for cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, and aquaculture, as well as specialized pet foods outside of traditional dog and cat food lines.
- •Classified officially under NAICS code 311119 for Other Animal Food Manufacturing.
- •Excludes establishments primarily engaged in slaughtering animals for feed or manufacturing pure animal pharmaceuticals.
- •Includes secondary operational activities such as custom grain grinding and mobile feed mill services for local farms.
Market Structure and Operators
Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?
The Canadian feed industry relies on a mixture of independent regional mills, large-scale agricultural cooperatives, and integrated commercial operators located near key farming hubs. Production is heavily concentrated in provinces with major livestock populations, specifically Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
- •Commercial feed mills across Canada supplied approximately 19.3 million tonnes of the nation's total feed consumption in 2024.
- •The Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC) serves as the primary national trade association, representing roughly 90% of commercial feed products.
- •Facility investments are tightly integrated with the domestic crop supply chain, processing local grains, oilseeds, and by-products.
Demand Drivers
What drives demand in the industry?
Demand for manufactured animal feed is directly dependent on the size and performance of Canada's livestock, dairy, and poultry populations. Shifts in consumer meat consumption patterns, farm cash receipts, and livestock export opportunities influence commercial feed demand volumes and formulation types.
- •Total feed consumption by Canadian livestock reached an estimated 28.9 million tonnes (excluding forages) in 2024.
- •According to Statistics Canada, the domestic cattle population recorded a total farm output of 3.93 million head in 2024, dictating substantial beef and dairy feed demand.
- •Supply management systems in the Canadian dairy and poultry sectors provide stable production quotas, buffering feed demand from extreme market volatility.
Competitive Landscape and Notable Public Companies
Who are the notable companies in the industry?
The competitive environment features prominent multi-provincial corporations and multinational agribusiness companies operating localized blending facilities. Key market participants deploy advanced nutritional science and logistical networks to maintain supply relationships with commercial livestock operations.
- •Nutreco Canada Inc. (operating locally under Trouw Nutrition Canada) maintains a substantial manufacturing presence across multiple provinces.
- •Cargill, Incorporated operates an extensive network of feed manufacturing and grain handling assets under Cargill Animal Nutrition.
- •Ridley Inc. (an Alltech company) is an established manufacturer of commercial livestock feeds and blocks throughout North America.
- •Masterfeeds LP (an Alltech company) operates multiple feed mills and distribution centers targeting Canadian livestock producers.
Recent Trends and Outlook
What are the recent trends and outlook?
The industry is increasingly focused on feed efficiency, precision nutrition, and the reduction of environmental emissions from livestock production. Ongoing investments are targeting bio-secure supply chains to prevent the spread of animal pathogens and diseases.
- •Total animal food manufacturing shipments reached $11.2 billion in 2023, reflecting stable pricing and manufacturing volumes.
- •Adoption of the FeedAssure program covers facilities representing over 70% of commercial feed manufactured in Canada to ensure optimal food safety standards.
- •Industry margins are sensitive to variations in local input costs for crop ingredients, as tracked by the Statistics Canada Industrial Product Price Index.
Regulation and Compliance
How is the industry regulated?
The industry is strictly regulated at the federal level to maintain safety and quality standards across the agri-food supply chain. Manufacturers must comply with stringent rules governing ingredient approvals, manufacturing processes, and product labeling.
- •The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) enforces the federal Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations.
- •Regulations mandate full traceability of ingredients to manage the risks associated with livestock illnesses and contamination.
- •The National Biosecurity Guide for the Livestock and Poultry Feed Sector establishes formal best practices for disease mitigation during transport and processing.
Sources
Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.
- Animal Nutrition Association of Canada 2024 ·
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 2023 ·
- Statistics Canada Livestock Estimates 2024 ·
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency Feeds Regulations
Claight analysis of public industry data.