The US animal feed industry generated $267.1 billion in economic impact in 2023, supporting nearly 5,650 manufacturers and over 80,300 jobs while maintaining high safety standards and advancing sustainable production practices through upcycled ingredients.
- Nearly 5,650 animal food manufacturers contributed a $267.1 billion economic footprint in 2023
- The industry supported over 80,300 jobs and paid $18.5 billion in taxes across local, state and federal levels
- 1,000+ facilities earned Safe Feed/Safe Food certification with roughly 99% of federal inspections showing strong safety practices
- Upcycled ingredients comprised at least 50% of pet food and 37% of livestock feed ingredients, demonstrating resource efficiency
- $7.8 billion in exports in 2025 as the industry navigates regulatory changes and supply chain challenges
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has released “Our Industry, Our Promise,” its 2025–26 State of the U.S. Animal Food Industry Report, highlighting how the animal food industry continued feeding animals, supporting communities and driving innovation amid political, regulatory and global market changes.
The interactive annual report is the culmination of the AFIA’s celebration of America’s 250-year anniversary guided by the annual theme, “Feeding Independence, Growing Innovation.” As the AFIA spent the past year illustrating to policymakers how a resilient food system will support another 250 years of American growth and leadership.
Economic impact reaches new heights
Nearly 5,650 U.S. animal food manufacturers supported more than 80,300 jobs and contributed a $267.1 billion economic footprint in 2023. The industry also paid $18.5 billion in local, state and federal taxes, demonstrating its significance to communities across the country.
“The strength of our industry lies in its people and their shared commitment to supporting a safe, sustainable and resilient food system,” said Dan Meagher, AFIA’s 2025–26 Board chair and president and chief executive officer of Novus International. “Through collaboration, science-based advocacy and continued innovation, AFIA members are helping the industry navigate today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.”
U.S. animal food exports reached $7.8 billion in 2025 as the association’s global affairs team worked to expand market access opportunities for members. The team also elevated feed supply chain vulnerabilities to decision-makers, working to strengthen the industry’s global competitiveness.
Business climate presents new challenges
The animal food industry faced a complex regulatory environment during the fiscal year, with the White House’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) policy agenda creating uncertainty across the food and agriculture sector. While the Department of Health and Human Services has not implemented sweeping regulatory action, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced priority areas that inspired states to take independent action. The AFIA intervened in efforts in Hawaii and New York to ban or regulate ingredients.
The association is monitoring several policy areas that could affect manufacturers’ ability to innovate and provide safe, affordable animal food products. These include potential changes to color additives, the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) review process and ultra-processed food regulations that could create uncertainty around ingredient definitions and manufacturing practices.
“There have always been people that have questioned ingredients for production practices, but we’ve been able to defend it because we have the world standard for how we approve these technologies and ingredients in the U.S.,” said Leah Wilkinson, AFIA chief policy officer. “Where does MAHA leave us for the many countries who have confidence that our regulatory system is science-based and inclusive of public discourse?”
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, now adopted in more than 10% of states, are shifting waste management costs from municipalities to producers. The AFIA has been submitting comments on regulations being developed to implement EPR laws while supporting members in their efforts to adapt and comply.
Safety standards and sustainability remain top priority
The industry’s commitment to animal food safety showed strong results during the fiscal year running from May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026. More than 1,000 facilities earned Safe Feed/Safe Food certification, while roughly 99% of federal inspections found strong safety practices and procedures in place at feed mills and pet food manufacturing facilities.
Upcycled ingredients played a significant role in animal food production, according to the most recent figures from 2023. These ingredients made up at least half of pet food ingredients and 37% of livestock feed ingredients, demonstrating the industry’s commitment to resource efficiency.
The AFIA advanced ingredient review reforms during the year and built support for the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act. The association represented the industry on emerging federal and state policies, taking a science-based approach to regulatory advocacy.
Policy advocacy shapes regulatory landscape
The AFIA advanced ingredient review reforms during the year and built support for the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act (H.R. 2203/S.1906). The bipartisan legislation would modernize a cumbersome regulatory review process that has delayed innovative feed ingredients from reaching farmers, ranchers and pet owners. The U.S. has fallen behind dozens of countries that are safely using these feed ingredients, yielding measurable results in improved animal production and well-being, diminished pre-harvest food safety concerns and reduced environmental impact of livestock production.
The AFIA shared comments on the FDA’s new Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC) process, which now provides a fourth review pathway. The association also serves in an advisory role to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), helping it launch the Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions (SRIS), a pathway for adding new ingredients to AAFCO’s Official Publication.
The association represented the industry on emerging federal and state policies, taking a science-based approach to regulatory advocacy while remaining committed to advancing the Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform (PURR) Act’s (H.R. 597) language to create a consistent federal review process for animal food ingredients.
The annual report examines future priorities including public-private collaboration to address supply chain infrastructure challenges, stronger animal disease preparation and strategies for navigating emerging policies.
