Forage Market Forecasts to 2032 - Global Analysis By Product Type, Crop Type, Animal Type, Product Form, Distribution Channel, Application and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Forage Market is accounted for $99.4 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $148.5 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period. Forage is the practice of searching for and gathering naturally available food or materials, often in outdoor settings like forests or grasslands. Commonly linked to animals feeding on vegetation, it also extends to humans collecting wild edibles or resources. In agricultural and ecological frameworks, the term broadly covers plant matter like grasses, legumes, or hay consumed by livestock. Effective foraging contributes to sustainable land use, supports ecological balance, and enhances the efficiency of resource utilization within integrated farming systems.

According to the National Forage & Grassland Curriculum, proper forage management-including harvesting, storage, and nutrient balancing-is essential to maintain feed value and minimize losses.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Rising demand for high-quality forage

Dairy and meat producers are emphasizing the nutritional value of feed to enhance milk yields and weight gain efficiency. Superior forage varieties rich in proteins, fibers, and digestible matter are becoming essential in optimized feeding strategies. Moreover, the expansion of commercial livestock operations is reinforcing demand for consistent and reliable forage sources. This trend is especially pronounced in regions with intensive animal husbandry practices.

Restraint:

Insufficient farmer and manufacturer awareness

Despite advances in forage science, awareness among small-scale farmers and feed manufacturers remains relatively low, especially in emerging economies. Many still rely on traditional methods without understanding the benefits of forage testing, preservation, or crop rotation. This knowledge gap leads to suboptimal feed utilization and reduced livestock performance. Additionally, the lack of training and extension services hampers the adoption of modern forage management practices.

Opportunity:

Advanced analytical services & customized testing

Advanced laboratory services are being developed to assess moisture levels, nutrient balance, and contamination, enabling more precise forage formulation. With rising awareness, demand is increasing for tailored solutions that optimize feed blends based on herd requirements. Digital platforms and agritech solutions are also enhancing accessibility to remote advisory services. These innovations are supporting data-driven decisions and promoting scientific fodder management among farmers and cooperatives.

Threat:

Significant capital and lack technical expertise

Forage processing and quality analysis requires considerable investment in testing equipment, harvesting machinery, and storage infrastructure. This high capital requirement often deters small and medium-sized enterprises from upgrading their operations. Additionally, the shortage of skilled personnel capable of operating analytical devices or interpreting results further constrains adoption. As a result, the market faces barriers in scaling advanced forage systems across fragmented agricultural landscapes.

Covid-19 Impact:

The pandemic disrupted agricultural logistics, leading to delays in forage harvesting, transportation, and delivery. Restrictions on movement and labor shortages especially impacted the timely processing of seasonal forage crops. However, the crisis also drove a shift toward locally sourced forage and decentralized feed systems to maintain continuity. Many producers began exploring innovative preservation techniques such as silage wrapping and haylage to extend forage shelf life.

The stored forage segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The stored forage segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period driven by its role in enabling consistent livestock nutrition throughout the year. Producers are increasingly relying on silage, haylage, and dried forage to bridge seasonal feed gaps. Properly stored forage ensures longer shelf life, reduced spoilage, and sustained nutritional value. Its use is particularly prominent in regions with climatic variability where pasture availability fluctuates.

The bales segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the bales segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate supported by its convenience in handling, transportation, and on-site feeding. Bale packaging helps retain moisture and nutrient integrity, especially when wrapped with protective layers like plastic films. Its modular form factor also allows scalable storage and easy distribution across different livestock units. Rising adoption of mechanized balers is streamlining production efficiency across forage farms.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the North America region is expected to hold the largest market share owing o its highly organized livestock sector and strong emphasis on feed quality. The region boasts a well-established network of forage producers, analytical laboratories, and feed processors. Investments in sustainable agricultural practices and precision feeding systems are further propelling market demand. Moreover, government initiatives promoting forage crop rotation and soil conservation are supporting forage production capacity.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR attributed to rising animal protein demand and increasing livestock populations. Emerging economies such as India, China, and Indonesia are expanding their dairy and meat industries, which in turn amplifies the need for quality forage. Rapid urbanization and shifting consumption patterns are prompting governments to improve feed security through strategic programs. This evolving landscape makes the region a hotspot for forage market acceleration.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Forage Market include Foragen Seeds, FMC Corporation, Royal Barenbrug Group, S&W Seed Company, Corteva Agriscience, Bayer Crop Science, Syngenta, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, DLF Seeds & Science, Allied Seed LLC, Pennington Seed Inc., Advanta Seeds Ltd, Diary Land Seeds, Malav Seeds Pvt Ltd, RAGT Seeds, and KWS SAAT SE

Key Developments:

In June 2025, FMC and Corteva entered a collaboration agreement to co-market FMC's fluindapyr fungicide technology Adastrio(R) for corn and soybean growers in the U.S., aiming to improve disease control on ~175 million planted acres.

In May 2025, S&W Seed Companyaunched Double Team Forage Sorghum in collaboration with Corteva Agriscience, offering growers hybrid forage sorghum with dual-trait technology for enhanced yield and disease resistance.

In March 2025, Bayer Crop Science aunched Vyconic(TM) soybeans, the industry's first soybean variety with five-herbicide tolerance (dicamba, glufosinate, mesotrione, 2,4-D, glyphosate), unveiled at Commodity Classic for advanced weed management .

Product Types Covered:

• Stored Forage
• Fresh Forage
• Other Product Types

Crop Types Covered:

• Legumes
• Grasses
• Cereal Grains
• Mixed Varieties

Animal Types Covered:

• Cattle (Ruminants)
• Equine
• Sheep
• Swine
• Poultry
• Other Animal Types

Product Forms Covered:

• Bales
• Pellets
• Cubes
• Chopped
• Other Product Forms

Distribution Channels Covered:

• Online Stores
• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Specialty Stores
• Direct Sales
• Other Distribution Channels

Applications Covered:

• Pasture/Grazing
• Hay Production
• Silage Production
• Green Manure (for soil health)
• Bioenergy Production
• Other Applications

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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