The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) released its 2024–25 State of the U.S. Animal Food Industry Report, highlighting the industry’s economic impact, ongoing policy challenges, and commitment to safety, sustainability, and innovation.

Industry at a Glance

With nearly 5,650 U.S. animal food manufacturers employing over 80,300 workers, the sector generated $267.1 billion in total sales in 2023, contributing $98.4 billion in value-added output and $18.5 billion in taxes. Wages exceeded $6.9 billion, underscoring the industry’s vital role in local economies.

Policy and Regulatory Engagement

AFIA emphasized its leadership in navigating shifting political and regulatory environments. Key priorities include:

  • Ingredient Approvals: Supporting the transition to new review systems such as FDA’s Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC) and AAFCO’s Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions (SRIS).
  • Innovative FEED Act: Backing bipartisan legislation to streamline approval of novel feed ingredients with non-nutritive claims.
  • Trade and Supply Chain: Addressing port labor disputes, maritime policy changes, and retaliatory tariffs while advocating for fair, science-based trade policies.
  • State-Level Issues: Engaging on registration fees, tonnage assessments, and alignment with AAFCO standards across multiple states.

Safety and Worker Health

AFIA reported strong compliance across the industry, with less than 1% of over 920 FDA inspections in 2024 requiring corrective action. More than 1,000 facilities now participate in AFIA’s Safe Feed/Safe Food certification programs, demonstrating leadership beyond regulatory requirements.

The association also voiced concern over EPA’s risk assessment of formaldehyde, urging recognition of its role in pathogen control. Worker health initiatives centered on OSHA’s proposed heat stress rule and modernization of lockout/tagout standards.

Competitiveness in Global Markets

U.S. animal food exports reached $11.6 billion in value and 21.4 million metric tons in volume in 2024, led by shipments to Canada, Mexico, China, South Korea, and Japan. AFIA continues to facilitate trade missions and partnerships in markets such as Vietnam, Brazil, and Morocco, while playing a central role in Codex Alimentarius deliberations on food safety and standards.

Advancing Sustainability

The report underscored the industry’s role in the circular economy. In 2023, more than 50% of pet food and 37% of livestock feed relied on upcycled ingredients, totaling over 110 million tons of material diverted from waste streams. AFIA’s research arm, IFEEDER, also released life cycle assessment resources to help companies measure and improve environmental performance.

Looking Ahead

The industry faces constant change but continues to adapt with resilience. From advocating for regulatory modernization to strengthening global trade relationships and expanding sustainability efforts, AFIA positions the animal food industry as both a stabilizing force and a driver of innovation in U.S. agriculture.

This article was written based off AFIA's 2024–25 State of the U.S. Animal Food Industry Report.