Alfalfa Hay Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends, By Product Type (Bales, Cubes, Pellets), By Application Type (Dairy/Meat Animal Feed, Horse Feed, Poultry Feed, Others), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

The alfalfa hay market is estimated to be valued at USD 18.585 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 23.423 billion, with a CAGR of 4.74%. 

A key driver for the alfalfa hay market is the increasing demand for high-quality forage in livestock industries, particularly in dairy and meat production, where alfalfa's high protein and nutrient content support optimal animal health and productivity. Increasing global livestock populations and a growing focus on efficient animal nutrition boost demand.

The global agriculture industry is tasked with ensuring food security more than ever. The world population is expected to grow by 2.3 billion people between 2009 and 2050.  Population growth is projected to be primarily driven by developments in developing nations, with sub-Saharan Africa expected to see the fastest growth rate at +114%. In contrast, East and South East Asia are anticipated to experience the slowest growth at +13%. Further, urban areas are estimated to account for 70% of the global population in 2050, up from 49% at present.

Additionally, the per capita income in 2050 is projected to be a multiple of current levels. As the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations noted, feeding a population of 9.1 billion people in 2050 would require raising overall food production by some 70% between 2005/07 and 2050.

The projected growth in demand for meat, dairy, fish, and aquaculture products will drive the expansion of livestock farming, which currently accounts for 30% of agricultural GDP in the developing world. The increased purchasing power in developing nations is expected to result in a change in dietary preferences, which would be increasingly oriented towards animal-source foods and away from staple foods of vegetal origin.

Moreover, of the projected global growth, overall meat consumption is expected to account for 82% of it. The APAC region, led by China and the LACs, with Brazil at the forefront, is projected to account for most of the expansion, surpassing the growth in OECD countries over the next decade. Capacity building, improved agriculture, and increasing integration of modernized and intensive production technologies are expected to catalyze the growth in these countries.

To a certain extent, the poultry sector is a testimony to the aforesaid in Brazil, China, and India, as well as with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. Further, it should be noted that livestock is a source of organic fertilizer for approximately half of the world's farmers, enabling them to respond to the growing demand for organically produced food products.

• Increased imports and exports of alfalfa hay are anticipated to influence market growth in the coming years.

The United States exported 898,186 MT of alfalfa hay to China in 2023, making up 89.9 percent of China's total imports and valued at $461.7 million. South Africa became the second largest exporter of alfalfa to China, replacing Spain, which fell to third. Total alfalfa exports from South Africa to China in 2023 reached 44,427 MT, followed by Spain with 37,226 MT.

Segment Analysis of the Global Alfalfa Hay Market:

• The APAC region is poised to hold a substantial share of the alfalfa hay market in the forecasted period.

The APAC region is poised to hold a substantial share of the alfalfa hay market, owing to the rising meat exports. For instance, according to the China International Import Expo Bureau, National Exhibition and Convention Centre (Shanghai), China has stepped up efforts on diversifying beef imports in 2024, with more exporters in countries such as Australia and Russia being approved to sell beef to China. Chinese observers said that this will help reduce market fluctuations due to over-reliance on any single market while providing more opportunities for other countries through high-level opening-up.

Furthermore, increasing milk production is anticipated to positively influence market growth in the coming years. For instance, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States (FAO), global milk production has increased by more than 77% in the last three decades. From 524 million tonnes in 1992, it had risen to 930 million tonnes in 2022. India is the world's largest milk-producing country, accounting for around 22% of world production, followed by the United States of America, Pakistan, China, and Brazil.

The dairy/meat animal feed segment is anticipated to hold a significant market share in the projected period.

The alfalfa hay market is segmented by application type into dairy/meat animal feed, horse feed, poultry feed, and others. A large share is held by dairy and meat animal feed, where its protein content and digestibility support the production of milk and gaining weight. Horse feed forms another important segment, in which alfalfa hay is a source of much-needed nutrients for equine health and performance. It is also used in poultry feed, enhancing growth and egg production. The other category includes use in feeds for smaller animals and specialty livestock, reflecting its versatility across different farming practices.

Key Developments in the Global Alfalfa Hay Market:

• In May 2024, HayDay, the premium hay manufacturer, unveiled two new products for small pets in the UK, Sweet & Munchy Ryegrass Hay and Coarse & Crunchy Alfalfa Hay. These products will be designed to provide the best nutrition and texture for small animals' diets, ensuring their health and satisfaction. The new products further emphasize HayDay's commitment to delivering premium-quality feed for pet owners in the region.
• On January 5, 2023, a great milestone was achieved for the first acceptance of GE alfalfa from the U.S. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China approved importing two kinds of genetically engineered alfalfa for processing. These approvals shall remain valid from January 5, 2023, to January 4, 2028. As a significant importer of hay and forage, this development will enhance trade links and help China satisfy its surging demand for quality feed to fuel the growth of its livestock and dairy industries.
• In July 2022, a new Product was launched AFX 670 Hi-Gest Alfalfa Fall Dormancy 6 alfalfa exhibiting high multifoliate leaf expression and salinity germination tolerance. Conventional Alfalfa has a high leaf/stem ratio and improved fiber digestibility, intake, and extent of digestion compared to other conventional semi-dormant alfalfas.

The Alfalfa Hay market is segmented and analyzed as follows:

• By Product Type
  • Bales
  • Cubes
  • Pellets
• By Application Type
  • Dairy/Meat animal feed
  • Horse Feed
  • Poultry Feed
  • Others
• By Distribution Channel
  • Online
  • Offline
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • UK
    • France
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Egypt
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • South Korea
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Australia
    • Thailand
    • Others

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Market Overview

1.2. Market Definition

1.3. Scope of the Study

1.4. Market Segmentation

1.5. Currency

1.6. Assumptions

1.7. Base and Forecast Years Timeline

1.8. Key benefits for the stakeholders

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  

2.1. Research Design

2.2. Research Process

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.1. Key Findings

3.2. Analyst View

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1. Market Drivers

4.1.1. Growing Demand for Packaging

4.1.2. Increasing Focus on Sustainability

4.2. Market Restraints

4.2.1. Environmental Concerns

4.2.2. High Production Cost

4.3. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers

4.3.3. The Threat of New Entrants

4.3.4. Threat of Substitutes

4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in the Industry

4.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis

5. ALFALFA HAY MARKET BY PRODUCT TYPE

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Bales

5.3. Cubes

5.4. Pellets

6. ALFALFA HAY MARKET BY APPLICATION TYPE

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Dairy/Meat animal feed

6.3. Horse Feed

6.4. Poultry Feed

6.5. Others

7. ALFALFA HAY MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Online

7.3. Offline

8. ALFALFA HAY MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

8.1. North America

8.1.1. USA

8.1.2. Canada

8.1.3. Mexico

8.2. South America

8.2.1. Brazil

8.2.2. Argentina

8.2.3. Others

8.3. Europe

8.3.1. Germany

8.3.2. UK

8.3.3. France

8.3.4. Spain

8.3.5. Others

8.4. Middle East and Africa

8.4.1. Egypt

8.4.2. Saudi Arabia

8.4.3. South Africa

8.4.4. Others

8.5. Asia Pacific

8.5.1. Japan

8.5.2. China

8.5.3. South Korea

8.5.4. India

8.5.5. Indonesia

8.5.6. Australia

8.5.7. Thailand

8.5.8. Others

9. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

9.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

9.2. Emerging Players and Market Lucrativeness

9.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

9.4. Vendor Competitiveness Matrix

10.  COMPANY PROFILES 

10.1. Barr-Ag Ltd.

10.2. Cubeit Hay Company

10.3. Alf Nutrição Animal

10.4. Al Dahra Acx, Inc.

10.5. Hill Top Farmers

10.6. Alfalfa Monegros S.L.

10.7. Gruppo Carli

10.8. Forbes Lucerne

10.9. Sl Follen Company

10.10. Border Valley Trading

Barr-Ag Ltd.

Cubeit Hay Company

Alf Nutrição Animal

Al Dahra Acx, Inc.

Hill Top Farmers

Alfalfa Monegros S.L.

Gruppo Carli

Forbes Lucerne

Sl Follen Company

Border Valley Trading