The global ethoxyquin market size was valued at USD 240.73 million in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 252.28 million in 2025 to reach USD 367.09 million by 2033,exhibiting at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period (2025-2033).

Market Growth Drivers

One of the most significant drivers of the ethoxyquin market is the rising demand for pet food, fueled by the increasing number of pet owners globally and heightened awareness regarding pet health and nutrition. Ethoxyquin is widely used in pet food products to prevent fat and oil rancidity, thus extending shelf life and maintaining nutritional quality. Additionally, the expansive growth of the aquaculture industry plays a pivotal role. With global aquaculture production projected to grow steadily, ethoxyquin preserves the integrity of fish oils and feed components, which helps farmers maintain the health, growth, and quality of farmed fish and shrimp.

Convenience food trends also contribute to market expansion as busy urban lifestyles accelerate demand for processed, ready-to-eat, and packaged foods. Since ethoxyquin prevents oxidation in fats and oils within these foods, it supports freshness and prolongs shelf life. This has led to increased adoption of ethoxyquin in the processed food sector.

Product Segmentation

The market is segmented by product type primarily into ethoxyquin-95 oil, ethoxyquin-66 powder, and ethoxyquin-33 powder. Among these, ethoxyquin-95 oil holds the largest revenue share and is projected for the fastest growth during the forecast period. The 95% concentrated liquid form is preferred due to ease of handling, precise dosing, and effective distribution in feed manufacturing processes, especially in aquaculture and poultry feed applications. The powder forms serve specialized needs in poultry and aquaculture feed, combining antioxidant benefits with convenience in storage and formulation.

Application Breakdown

Ethoxyquin’s diverse applications include its use as a pesticide, pet food preservative, poultry industry additive, aquaculture industry feed additive, spice color preservative, and for various industrial purposes. The pesticide segment accounts for a large portion of the market share, driven by increasing demand for crop protection chemicals globally. However, this segment faces opposition and regulatory challenges, notably the banning of ethoxyquin use in pesticides by regions like the European Union and Australia.

The pet food preservative segment benefits from sustainted growth due to ongoing demand for extended shelf life and nutrient retention in animal feed. In the poultry and aquaculture sectors, ethoxyquin serves as a critical preservative to prevent degradation of feed fats and oils, thereby supporting animal health and production efficiency. The spice color preservative market, though smaller, remains important due to ethoxyquin’s role in maintaining color vibrancy by inhibiting oxidation-related fading.

Regional Market Insights

North America leads the global ethoxyquin market in terms of revenue and consumption primarily due to the region’s dominant livestock industry and regulatory environment that permits controlled usage of ethoxyquin as a feed preservative. The United States, in particular, is a major market due to high per capita poultry consumption and growing demand for pet food. Ethoxyquin helps maintain feed quality, which supports large-scale poultry and aquaculture operations.

Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing market region owing to rapid industrialization, expanding aquaculture and poultry industries, and rising meat and protein consumption in countries like China, India, Vietnam, and Thailand. The increasing consumption of feed antioxidants coupled with growing awareness about animal health drive the demand here.

Europe holds the second-largest market share but faces stricter regulations. The EU prohibits ethoxyquin’s use as a feed additive in many applications and enforces stringent residue limits, limiting market potential compared to other regions. Nevertheless, the aquaculture and pet food sectors continue to use ethoxyquin in controlled amounts, supporting steady demand.

Other regions such as Latin America, Middle East, and Africa show moderate growth driven by increasing population and protein consumption needs, but face challenges related to regulatory frameworks and market awareness.

Regulatory Environment and Challenges

Ethoxyquin is subject to significant regulatory scrutiny globally due to safety concerns. The European Commission has banned its use as a feed additive since 2017, citing lack of sufficient safety data and presence of potentially harmful residues. Regulations require adherence to strict maximum residue limits (MRLs) to ensure consumer safety.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration and related agencies regulate ethoxyquin usage in animal feed and food products, setting maximum allowable concentrations. China continues to permit ethoxyquin under regulated conditions but may face international trade pressures as some countries phase out its use.

Such regulatory complexities pose challenges for manufacturers and end-users, necessitating compliance and alternative innovations to sustain market growth.

Future Outlook

The global ethoxyquin market is expected to benefit from sustained demand in pet food preservation and aquaculture feed additives fueled by evolving dietary preferences and protein demands worldwide. The continued urbanization and growth in convenience food consumption also support broader antioxidant use.

However, market players must navigate regulatory uncertainties and increasing scrutiny on synthetic feed additives by developing safe and compliant products. Innovations in formulations and exploration of alternative natural antioxidants may shape the competitive landscape.

Overall, the market shows positive growth potential with increasing product adoption, diversified applications, and expanding geographic reach, highlighted by North America’s dominance and Asia Pacific’s rapid expansion.