Market Insight
09 December 2025
Feed Ingredients
The Asia-Pacific region has emerged as the world’s largest and fastest-growing hub for animal feed production, driven by expanding livestock populations, rising meat and dairy consumption, and rapid industrialization of farming systems. Within this ecosystem, trace mineral supplements play a critical role in ensuring animal health and optimal productivity. Among these, zinc sulphate heptahydrate has become one of the most widely used inorganic zinc sources in commercial feed formulations.
Between 2022 and 2026, Asia’s animal feed ingredients market is projected to grow steadily, supported by strong demand from poultry, swine, aquaculture, and ruminant sectors. Zinc, as an essential micronutrient, underpins immune function, growth, skin integrity, and reproductive performance across species. As a result, feed-grade zinc sulphate heptahydrate is increasingly incorporated into premixes, concentrates, and complete feeds to prevent deficiency and enhance performance metrics such as feed conversion ratio (FCR) and daily weight gain.
At the same time, buyers in Asia are paying closer attention to product quality, supply reliability, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency. Digital platforms such as chemtradeasia.in and chemtradeasia.co.id have emerged as important sourcing channels, connecting feed manufacturers and premix producers with reputable chemical suppliers of zinc sulphate and other feed ingredients. Understanding market trends, product characteristics, and supply dynamics up to 2026 is therefore essential for stakeholders across the feed value chain.
Asia accounts for more than one-third of global compound feed production, with China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand among the leading producers. According to industry estimates, global compound feed output surpassed 1.2 billion tonnes in recent years, with Asia-Pacific contributing roughly 450–500 million tonnes. This scale directly translates into strong and growing demand for trace mineral additives, including zinc sulphate heptahydrate, which is favored for its solubility, compatibility with premixes, and cost-effectiveness.
Within the region, China remains the largest consumer of zinc-based feed additives, supported by its vast poultry and swine industries, while Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam are rapidly increasing consumption due to expanding broiler, layer, and aquaculture operations. India, with its large dairy and poultry sectors, is another key growth engine. From 2021 to 2026, the demand for feed-grade zinc sulphate heptahydrate in Asia is expected to grow at a moderate but steady pace, broadly in line with compound feed volume growth, typically estimated in the low- to mid-single-digit CAGR range.
Market segmentation shows that poultry feed accounts for the largest share of zinc sulphate usage, followed by swine, ruminant, and aquaculture feeds. While some high-value operations experiment with organic zinc sources, inorganic zinc sulphate remains the dominant choice due to its favorable price-performance profile. Regional supply is supported by domestic manufacturers in China, India, and other Asian countries, as well as by international producers. Online B2B platforms, including chemtradeasia.in for the Indian market and chemtradeasia.co.id for Indonesia and Southeast Asia, help balance regional supply and demand by offering multi-origin sourcing options, logistics support, and documentation services.
Several structural drivers are shaping the outlook for zinc sulphate heptahydrate in Asia’s animal feed ingredients industry through 2026. Rising incomes and urbanization continue to shift dietary patterns toward higher consumption of animal protein, particularly poultry meat, eggs, fish, and dairy. To meet this demand, producers are intensifying production, relying on scientifically formulated feeds and premixes that include precise levels of trace minerals such as zinc. This professionalization of feeding practices increases the reliance on standardized, quality-certified zinc sulphate products.
Another major driver is the growing focus on animal health and biosecurity, especially in the wake of disease outbreaks such as African swine fever and avian influenza. Nutrition is recognized as a frontline defense, and adequate zinc supplementation is known to support immune competence, skin and mucosal barrier integrity, and recovery from stress. Feed formulators in Asia are therefore prioritizing consistent and bioavailable zinc sources, with zinc sulphate heptahydrate remaining a preferred option in many cost-sensitive segments.
Regulatory frameworks are also evolving, influencing how zinc sources are used in feed. Authorities in key Asian markets increasingly align with international standards set by Codex Alimentarius, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and other bodies. Maximum allowed zinc levels in complete feed, labeling requirements, and quality standards for feed-grade minerals are being more strictly enforced. Environmental considerations, such as controlling zinc excretion into soil and water, are gaining prominence. These dynamics push feed manufacturers to optimize dosage, ensure product purity, and partner with suppliers who provide comprehensive documentation, certificates of analysis, and compliance support.
Zinc sulphate heptahydrate is valued in animal nutrition primarily as a highly soluble, readily bioavailable, and cost-effective source of zinc. Zinc is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions and plays a crucial role in protein synthesis, DNA replication, and cell division. In poultry, adequate zinc intake supports feathering, eggshell quality, leg strength, and immune function. In swine, zinc contributes to skin integrity, growth performance, and reproductive efficiency. For ruminants, zinc is important for hoof health, fertility, and milk production, while in aquaculture it supports skeletal development and disease resistance.
In practical feed formulations, feed-grade zinc sulphate heptahydrate is typically added via mineral premixes or vitamin-mineral blends. Its high water solubility makes it suitable for uniform mixing, both in dry premixes and, in some systems, in liquid applications. Typical specifications for feed-grade material include a minimum zinc content of around 21–22%, low levels of heavy metals (such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic), controlled insoluble matter, and adherence to relevant feed additive standards. The heptahydrate form is chosen for its handling characteristics and compatibility with other premix components.
From an economic standpoint, zinc sulphate heptahydrate offers a strong balance between cost and performance compared with alternative zinc sources. While organic chelated zinc products may offer marginally higher bioavailability in certain conditions, they are significantly more expensive and are therefore used selectively in high-value segments. For the bulk of Asia’s poultry, swine, and ruminant feed production, zinc sulphate remains the primary zinc source. When sourced from reputable suppliers, it delivers consistent quality, stable performance, and predictable formulation outcomes, which are critical for large-scale feed mills and integrators.
The supply chain for zinc sulphate heptahydrate in Asia involves upstream zinc smelters and chemical processors, midstream manufacturers that produce feed-grade material, and downstream distributors and trading companies that service feed mills and premix plants. Ensuring continuity of supply is vital, as disruptions in trace minerals can quickly affect premix production and feed output. Factors such as fluctuations in zinc metal prices, energy costs, and environmental regulations in producing countries can impact availability and pricing of zinc sulphate.
To manage these risks, feed manufacturers increasingly diversify their sourcing base and rely on structured procurement channels. Digital B2B platforms such as https://www.chemtradeasia.in/ and https://www.chemtradeasia.co.id play a strategic role in this context. These platforms connect buyers in India, Indonesia, and other Asian markets with multiple vetted producers and exporters of zinc sulphate heptahydrate. Buyers can compare specifications, origin, packaging options (such as 25 kg bags or bulk bags), and quality certifications (ISO, FAMI-QS, HACCP) while also arranging logistics, documentation, and customs support through a single interface.
Quality specifications are central to feed safety and performance. Reliable suppliers provide detailed technical data sheets and certificates of analysis indicating zinc content, purity, moisture level, pH, and limits for heavy metals and other contaminants. They also ensure that the product is free-flowing, non-caking, and compatible with standard premix manufacturing equipment. Platforms like https://www.chemtradeasia.in/ and https://www.chemtradeasia.co.id facilitate transparent communication of these parameters, enabling feed formulators to maintain consistent product standards across multiple plants and markets. As the Asia feed industry continues to scale and integrate through 2026, such digital supply solutions are expected to become even more integral to procurement strategies.
By 2026, Asia’s animal feed ingredients industry will be even more closely linked to the performance and reliability of key micronutrient inputs, including zinc sulphate heptahydrate. The region’s expanding livestock and aquaculture sectors, combined with rising expectations for animal health, productivity, and product quality, will sustain robust demand for feed-grade zinc sources. Within this landscape, zinc sulphate will remain a cornerstone additive due to its proven efficacy, favorable economics, and compatibility with modern feed formulation practices.
At the same time, the market will be shaped by stricter regulatory frameworks, heightened environmental awareness, and a stronger emphasis on traceability and documentation. Feed manufacturers and premix producers will increasingly seek partners who can deliver not only competitive pricing but also consistent quality, technical support, and regulatory compliance. This is where structured supply networks and digital procurement platforms, such as https://www.chemtradeasia.in/ and https://www.chemtradeasia.co.id, provide a tangible advantage, connecting buyers with reliable producers and streamlining the entire sourcing process.
For stakeholders across the Asian feed value chain—feed mills, integrators, premix companies, and distributors—understanding the evolving market trends for zinc sulphate heptahydrate is essential to planning for the period up to 2026 and beyond. By focusing on quality specifications, secure supply, and efficient procurement channels, industry players can leverage zinc sulphate’s nutritional benefits to support healthier animals, higher productivity, and more sustainable growth in the region’s dynamic animal protein sector.
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