Edible Animal Fat Market

Market Overview:

The global edible animal fat market size reached USD 56.4 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 80.1 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.97% during 2025-2033. The growing population across the globe, rising meat consumption, rapid advancements in food processing technologies, growing demand for natural and organic food products, and rising awareness about the health benefits of animal fats are some of the major factors propelling the market.

Edible animal fat refers to the lipid-rich tissue derived from the flesh of animals, processed for human consumption. It includes tallow, lard, and schmaltz that are extracted from beef, pigs, and poultry. Edible animal fat is utilized in various applications, such as frying, baking, food manufacturing, and the production of processed meat, baked goods, and confectioneries. It also finds application in the preparation of traditional dishes, flavor enhancers, margarine, cosmetics, and soaps. Edible animal fats are a cost-effective and versatile product that offers a high smoke point, richness in essential fatty acids, and long shelf-life.

The widespread utilization of edible animal fats in various food preparations, from quick-service restaurants to household kitchens, is propelling the market growth. Moreover, the rising availability of raw materials, making animal fats more accessible and affordable, is favoring the market growth. Additionally, rapid advancements in food processing technologies resulting in improved extraction and refinement methods that enhance the quality and yield of the product are anticipated to drive the market growth. Furthermore, the growing demand for natural cosmetic products, where animal fats are used as a base, is providing a considerable boost to the market growth. In addition to this, the rising awareness about the health benefits of animal fats, when consumed in moderation, leading to a sudden shift in consumer preferences away from synthetic alternatives, is acting as a growth-inducing factor.

Edible Animal Fat Market Trends/Drivers:

Growing population across the globe

The escalating population across the globe, leading to an increasing demand for food, is positively influencing the market growth. In line with this, the growing need for fats essential for cooking and food processing is acting as a growth-inducing factor. Along with this, the escalating demand for affordable and accessible food options, which makes edible animal fats a convenient choice, given their economic affordability and longer shelf life, is creating a positive outlook for the market growth. Additionally, the expanding population accompanied by urbanization, leading to changes in dietary habits, is supporting the market growth. In confluence with this, the increasing prevalence of fast food and convenience meals, which utilize animal fats for their preparation, is anticipated to drive the market growth. Furthermore, the emergence of dual-income households, with increased disposable income, leading to the consumption of meat and, by extension, animal fats, is supporting the market growth.

Rising meat consumption

The rising disposable incomes of consumers, leading to an increasing consumption of edible animal fat, are stimulating the market growth. Besides this, the evolving dietary patterns and changing consumer preferences that include animal-based proteins are also supporting the market growth. Along with this, the increasing meat consumption driving down costs that make animal fats even more accessible and affordable to consumers is acting as a growth-inducing factor. Apart from this, the growing popularity of meat-rich diets that incorporate cooking methods benefiting from animal fats, such as frying and sautéing, is anticipated to drive the market growth. Furthermore, the rising consumption of edible animal fat in commercial sectors like restaurants and food manufacturers is also positively influencing the market growth. They adapt their menus and products to cater to changing consumer preferences, often leading to an uptick in the use of animal fats in their offerings.

Rapid advancements in manufacturing technologies

The rapid technological advancements in food processing are bolstering the market growth. In line with this, the increasing innovations in extraction and refinement methods leading to higher yields and superior quality that allow for a broader range of product applications are anticipated to drive the market growth. Moreover, the widespread adoption of modern technologies to remove impurities and undesirable flavors more efficiently, which leads to a purer end-product, is stimulating the market growth. Furthermore, the increasing utilization of advanced analytics and quality control methods, ensuring compliance with stringent food safety standards, is favoring the market growth. Apart from this, the growing research and innovation focusing on reducing the levels of saturated fats in the product, making it healthier without sacrificing its unique culinary advantages, is offering remunerative growth opportunities for the market. 

Edible Animal Fat Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country levels from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on type, source, and end-user.

Breakup by Type:

• Butter
• Lard
• Tallow
• Others
   

Butter dominates the market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the type. This includes butter, lard, tallow, and others. According to the report, butter represented the largest segment.

Butter is dominating the market as it is used in an array of culinary applications ranging from baking and frying to serving as a spread or a flavor enhancer, making it a staple in many households. Moreover, butter is considered an essential ingredient in certain recipes, especially baked goods, which imparts a distinct flavor and texture that alternatives like margarine or vegetable oils cannot emulate. In line with this, its unique melting characteristics contribute to the texture of pastries, making it a preferred choice for home cooks and professional chefs. Additionally, butter also benefits from established supply chains, given its long history of consumption. Dairy farming infrastructure is well-developed in many parts of the world, ensuring a steady supply of raw materials, further propelling the market growth.

Breakup by Source:

• Cattle
• Pig
• Others
   

Cattle dominates the market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the source. This includes cattle, pig, and others. According to the report, cattle represented the largest segment.

Cattle dominates the market share as it provides tallow, beef fat, and butter, which is pivotal in various applications, spanning from culinary to industrial uses. Moreover, the versatility of cattle-derived fats, as they are used for frying, baking, and flavoring, is favoring the market growth. Along with this, the widespread utilization of tallow in the production of soaps and candles is strengthening the market growth. Additionally, rapid technological advancements in the processing of animal fats, such as enhanced methods of rendering, purification, and even genetic improvements in cattle breeds, leading to higher yields and superior quality fats, are providing a thrust to the market growth. Furthermore, the widespread utilization of cattle by-products, like bones and hides, sold for additional revenue, making the overall economics of cattle-derived fats more attractive for producers, is stimulating the market growth.

Breakup by End-User:

• Food-Industry
• Non-Food Industry
   

Food-industry dominates the market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end-user. This includes the food-industry and non-food industry. According to the report, the food-industry represented the largest segment.

The food industry has the largest end-user share in the edible animal fat market owing to its widespread utilization of tallow, lard, and butter in cooking, baking, frying, and flavoring. Moreover, rapid advancements in food technology, such as improved fat extraction, purification, and processing methods, which have resulted in high-quality animal fats that meet the stringent standards of the food industry, further reinforcing the sector’s reliance on these ingredients, is bolstering the market growth. Besides this, the changing consumer preference for sensory attributes such as flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel, keeping the food industry at the forefront of edible animal fat consumption is creating a positive outlook for the market growth. Furthermore, the operational efficiencies within the food industry, as animal fats often have higher smoke points compared to many plant-based oils, making them ideal for high-temperature cooking methods like frying, are propelling the market growth.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Others
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

North America exhibits a clear dominance, accounting for the largest edible animal fat market share

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America accounted for the largest market share.

North America has established a clear leadership position in the edible animal fat market owing to the region's high consumption of meat, particularly beef. Additionally, North American culinary traditions are heavily influenced by meat-centric diets, which naturally generate a substantial demand for animal fats like tallow and butter. Furthermore, rapid technological advancements in food processing and fat extraction across the region, yielding high-quality products that satisfy stringent regulatory and consumer standards, are favoring the market growth. Moreover, North America benefits from a mature and highly developed agri-food industry, leading to a stable and scalable supply chain for animal fats. Apart from this, the changing consumer preferences in the region skewing towards food items that incorporate animal fats, such as baked goods and fast food, is strengthening the market growth.

Competitive Landscape:

The leading companies in the edible animal fat market are adopting a range of strategies and innovations to sustain and expand their market share, responding to shifts in consumer preferences, regulatory requirements, and technological advancements. Besides this, some companies are increasingly diversifying their product range, which includes offering varying grades of animal fats such as organic, grass-fed, and conventional, each catering to specific market niches. Along with this, many companies are taking steps to ensure that their animal fat products are sourced from sustainable and humane farming practices, involving partnerships with certified farms and implementing traceability measures. In addition to this, the major players in the market are investing in research and development (R&D) to improve extraction and processing techniques to increase yield and purity, thereby reducing costs and improving profitability.

The market research report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Baker Commodities Inc.
• Cargill Inc.
• Colyer Fehr Group
• Piermen B.V.
• Saria Limited
• Ten Kate Holding B.V. 

(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)

Recent Developments:

• In March 2023, Cargill partnered with CUBIQ FOODS to bring innovative fats to plant-based food by replicating animal fat in terms of visual appearance, mouthfeel, and bite.
• In October 2022, Saria Limited signed an agreement with TotalEnergies to develop sustainable aviation fuel using feedstock, such as used cooking oils and animal fats.

Edible Animal Fat Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global edible animal fat market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global edible animal fat market?
• What is the impact of each driver, restraint, and opportunity on the global edible animal fat market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• Which countries represent the most attractive edible animal fat market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the type?
• Which is the most attractive type in the edible animal fat market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the source?
• Which is the most attractive source in the edible animal fat market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the end-user?
• Which is the most attractive end-user in the edible animal fat market?
• What is the competitive structure of the global edible animal fat market?
• Who are the key players/companies in the global edible animal fat market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the edible animal fat market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global edible animal fat market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the edible animal fat industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.