Article
09 December 2025
Feed Ingredients
Across Asia, the animal feed industry is expanding rapidly, driven by population growth, rising incomes, and a strong shift toward higher protein consumption. This growth is especially evident in poultry, swine, aquaculture, and dairy sectors, where feed formulators are increasingly focused on optimizing animal health, productivity, and feed conversion efficiency. As a result, demand for high-quality trace mineral additives, particularly zinc sulphate heptahydrate, is rising steadily and is expected to remain strong through 2026.
Zinc sulphate heptahydrate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) is one of the most widely used inorganic zinc sources in animal nutrition. Its relatively high zinc content, good solubility, and cost-effectiveness make it a staple in premixes and compound feeds across Asia. Regulatory authorities and integrators are tightening quality and safety standards, which further elevates the importance of sourcing this product from reliable suppliers with consistent specifications and robust logistics.
As we look toward 2026, the convergence of stricter nutritional guidelines, disease management priorities, and sustainability considerations is reshaping how feed producers select and apply zinc sources. This article examines the application trends of zinc sulphate heptahydrate in Asia’s animal feed ingredient industry, explores key benefits and use cases, and highlights how reputable chemical distribution platforms such as https://www.chemtradeasia.in/ and https://www.chemtradeasia.co.id are supporting the region’s evolving demand.
Zinc is an essential trace element involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in animals, supporting immune function, skin integrity, bone development, and reproductive performance. In commercial livestock and aquaculture systems, natural feedstuffs typically do not provide sufficient bioavailable zinc to meet modern performance targets. This gap is bridged by supplementing feeds with inorganic or organic zinc sources, among which zinc sulphate heptahydrate is one of the most established options.
Zinc sulphate heptahydrate feed grade generally contains around 21–23% elemental zinc, depending on purity and manufacturing process. Its crystalline form dissolves readily in water, enabling efficient dispersion in liquid and dry premix systems. This solubility is particularly important in intensive poultry and pig production, where uniform distribution of micronutrients in feed is critical to avoid deficiency in fast-growing animals. In ruminants and aquaculture, zinc sulphate is also favored for its predictable behavior in mineral blocks, concentrates, and pelleted feeds.
Compared with some organic zinc chelates, zinc sulphate heptahydrate offers a strong balance of cost and performance. While organic forms may offer marginally higher bioavailability in certain conditions, the price premium can be significant. Many Asian feed manufacturers therefore adopt a blended approach, using zinc sulphate 7H₂O as a primary zinc source while selectively using organic zinc in breeder or high-stress diets. This strategy allows them to meet nutritional requirements, manage cost per ton of feed, and comply with local regulations on trace mineral supplementation.
The Asian feed market has been one of the fastest-growing globally, with countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand accounting for a large share of global compound feed production. According to industry estimates, Asia produces well over one-third of the world’s feed output, and this share is expected to expand further by 2026. As feed volumes rise, so does the demand for trace minerals like zinc, directly supporting increased consumption of zinc sulphate heptahydrate across the region.
Several structural drivers underpin this growth. First, the expansion of poultry and aquaculture sectors is particularly zinc-intensive, as these species have relatively high micronutrient requirements and short production cycles. Second, governments and industry bodies are promoting fortified feeds to improve animal health, reduce mortality, and enhance feed conversion ratios, especially in small- and medium-scale farms. Third, disease pressures such as African swine fever and avian influenza have heightened awareness of immune support in animals, indirectly stimulating demand for zinc-containing premixes as part of integrated health strategies.
Looking toward 2026, demand for zinc sulphate heptahydrate feed grade in Asia is also influenced by regulatory and sustainability trends. Some markets are tightening limits on heavy metals and contaminants, pushing feed manufacturers to source higher-purity zinc sulphate with better traceability. Environmental concerns regarding excessive mineral excretion are encouraging more precise dosing and improved bioavailability. This does not necessarily reduce zinc sulphate usage; instead, it shifts demand toward consistent, specification-compliant products supplied through dependable channels such as https://www.chemtradeasia.in/ for India and https://www.chemtradeasia.co.id for Indonesia and neighboring markets.
Within the feed industry, zinc sulphate heptahydrate is primarily used in premixes that are later incorporated into complete feeds for poultry, swine, ruminants, pets, and aquaculture species. Its high solubility allows it to be used in both dry and liquid premix systems, including spray-coated vitamin-mineral blends, water-soluble powders, and fortified concentrates. In poultry production, zinc sulphate supports feathering, skin integrity, bone strength, and eggshell quality, while in swine it contributes to hoof health, growth performance, and reproductive efficiency.
In ruminant nutrition, zinc plays a vital role in hoof health, rumen epithelium maintenance, and immune competence. Dairy cows, for example, are often supplemented with zinc to reduce the incidence of lameness and mastitis, thereby improving milk yield and longevity. Zinc sulphate 7H₂O for feed is also frequently used in mineral licks and blocks, where its controlled solubility supports gradual release. In aquaculture, zinc promotes proper skeletal development, improves resistance to stress, and supports overall growth, which is crucial in intensive shrimp and fish farming systems prevalent in Southeast and South Asia.
The benefits of using zinc sulphate heptahydrate extend beyond basic deficiency prevention. Adequate zinc levels are associated with better vaccine response, reduced mortality, and improved feed conversion ratios. For commercial producers, these factors translate into tangible economic gains—more kilograms of live weight or liters of milk per unit of feed, lower veterinary costs, and improved carcass quality. As integrators and contract farmers in Asia increasingly track performance metrics, the role of well-formulated trace mineral programs, anchored by reliable zinc sources, becomes more strategic.
As demand for zinc sulphate heptahydrate rises, feed manufacturers and premix producers in Asia face a critical challenge: securing consistent, high-quality supply at competitive prices while navigating complex logistics and regulatory landscapes. This is where specialized chemical distribution platforms such as https://www.chemtradeasia.in/ (Chemtradeasia India) and https://www.chemtradeasia.co.id (Chemtradeasia Indonesia) play a pivotal role. These platforms connect regional feed producers with vetted manufacturers of zinc sulphate and other feed ingredients, offering a structured approach to procurement.
Through a multi-country sourcing network, Chemtradeasia can offer various grades of zinc sulphate heptahydrate feed grade tailored to local requirements, including specific purity levels, heavy metal limits, and packaging formats such as 25 kg bags or jumbo bags. The focus on standardized documentation—such as certificates of analysis, safety data sheets, and compliance with feed and food additive regulations—helps feed producers meet increasingly stringent audit and quality assurance demands. In markets like India and Indonesia, where both domestic and export-oriented feed mills operate, this level of documentation is crucial.
Another key advantage of working with established suppliers is supply chain resilience. Fluctuations in raw material availability, freight rates, and regulatory changes can disrupt the flow of critical inputs like zinc sulphate. By leveraging regional warehouses, flexible shipping options, and diversified supplier bases, platforms like https://www.chemtradeasia.in/ and https://www.chemtradeasia.co.id help mitigate these risks. This enables feed manufacturers to maintain stable production schedules, avoid stock-outs, and plan long-term contracts, which is particularly important in a market where demand is forecast to grow steadily through 2026.
The period leading up to 2026 is set to be transformative for Asia’s animal feed industry, with higher expectations for productivity, animal welfare, and food safety. Within this context, zinc sulphate heptahydrate will remain a cornerstone trace mineral additive, supporting growth, immunity, and overall performance across poultry, swine, ruminants, and aquaculture. Its favorable balance of cost, solubility, and nutritional efficacy ensures continued relevance, even as new technologies and alternative zinc sources emerge.
Trends such as intensified livestock production, disease management priorities, and regulatory tightening are all contributing to sustained demand growth for zinc sulphate 7H₂O for feed across Asia. Feed formulators are refining their mineral strategies, focusing on precise dosing, quality assurance, and improved bioavailability, while still relying on proven inorganic sources for the bulk of their zinc requirements. This evolution emphasizes not only the importance of the product itself but also the reliability of the supply chain behind it.
In this environment, the role of trusted chemical suppliers and distribution platforms such as https://www.chemtradeasia.in/ and https://www.chemtradeasia.co.id is central. By providing consistent, specification-compliant zinc sulphate heptahydrate feed grade, robust documentation, and resilient logistics, they help the Asian feed industry meet its growth ambitions while upholding quality and regulatory standards. As the region’s demand for animal protein continues to rise, such partnerships will be essential to ensuring that every kilogram of feed delivers optimal nutritional value and performance.
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