Fish finds more growth to pass poultry

Chicken has been the king of proteins in recent years but not this year: aquaculture and wild catch will “dethrone poultry” as the growth leader, according to Rabobank’s animal protein outlook 2025.

“In 2025, economic conditions, geopolitics, and supply availability will significantly influence global animal protein markets,” explained experts at the Dutch agri-bank. “While demand remains uncertain due to macroeconomic fluctuations and policy changes, seafood is poised to surpass poultry as the leading contributor to global protein supply growth,” they added.

Overall production is set to grow slightly faster than in 2024, driven by aquaculture, wild catch and poultry. Seafood and pork production are expected to increase (after a decline last year), while beef production will drop, “reshaping market dynamics and supply chains”.

In a blog, Nan-Dirk Mulder, senior global specialist in animal protein for Rabobank, explained: “As the global economy strives for recovery, anticipated policy shifts from new governments could introduce protectionist measures, leading to tariffs and higher trade costs. Military conflicts may further disrupt shipping and freight, impacting global trade and increasing market volatility,” he added. “Although inflationary pressures have been easing, policy decisions could reverse this trend, potentially weakening consumer demand if incomes do not rise accordingly.”

There are indeed a plethora of pressures on animal proteins, including recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Hungary and avian influenza. Livestock’s contribution to climate change as well as its impact on biodiversity are also front of mind.

“Legislative action on sustainability is an emerging trend for animal protein supply chains, but political influences and implementation delays make policy developments hard to predict,” the authors noted. The delayed compliance to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is one example; another is the lack of consensus on credible nature and biodiversity metrics which threaten to stall land and water commitments under the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN).

Mulder advised companies to “prepare for data collection as reporting guidelines evolve and to find synergies between climate, nature, and regulatory demands through emerging technologies”.