- The global veterinary antibiotics market is projected to grow from $5.55 billion in 2026 to $6.36 billion by 2031, according to a Research and Markets report.
- The forecast represents a compound annual growth rate of 2.75%, with animal protein demand, pet ownership and livestock health investment contributing to growth.
- Poultry accounted for 32.55% of veterinary antibiotic revenue in 2025, while aquaculture is forecast to grow at a 6.85% CAGR through 2031.
- Antimicrobial resistance policies and stewardship initiatives are shifting some markets toward narrower-spectrum, prescription-only and animal-specific treatments.
- Asia-Pacific is forecast to grow at a 6.12% CAGR, while North America represented 32.52% of global market revenue in 2025.
- Long-acting injectables, online veterinary pharmacies and targeted companion animal therapies are among the areas identified for potential growth.
The global veterinary antibiotics market is expected to grow steadily through 2031 as livestock disease management, demand for animal-source protein and higher companion animal spending support sales, according to a new market analysis from Research and Markets.
The report estimates the market at $5.55 billion in 2026 and projects it will reach $6.36 billion by 2031, representing a compound annual growth rate of 2.75%. The market was valued at $5.40 billion in 2025.
Growth, however, is occurring alongside significant changes in how antibiotics are prescribed and administered to animals. Antimicrobial resistance regulations, veterinary oversight requirements and stewardship programs are limiting some traditional uses while creating demand for more targeted therapies and animal-specific products.
Livestock demand meets tighter antimicrobial stewardship
Rising production of animal-source protein remains an important market driver. According to the report, global poultry production increased 4.2% in 2025, while pork production rose 3.8%.
Expansion of intensive livestock production in parts of Asia-Pacific and Latin America is supporting antibiotic demand in poultry, swine and cattle. At the same time, prescribing practices are increasingly diverging between markets.
Developed markets are shifting toward narrow-spectrum and prescription-only treatments, while some less-regulated markets continue to make greater use of over-the-counter broad-spectrum antibiotics. Food retailers and exporters are also imposing antimicrobial stewardship requirements that encourage targeted treatment protocols and animal-specific antibiotic classes.
Poultry remained the largest animal segment in 2025, accounting for 32.55% of global veterinary antibiotic revenue. Restrictions on preventive antibiotic use in Europe and North America are contributing to greater use of alternatives, including ionophores.
Aquaculture emerges as a faster-growing segment
Aquaculture antibiotic sales totaled an estimated $620 million in 2025 and are forecast to grow at a 6.85% CAGR through 2031.
The report points to shrimp and tilapia production in Southeast Asia as a significant source of growth, driven in part by disease pressure and limited availability of approved fish-specific treatments.
Those conditions can also contribute to off-label use of livestock medications in aquaculture, creating regulatory and residue concerns alongside the commercial opportunity.
Other livestock segments are evolving as well. The report notes increased use of precision-dose pleuromutilins in some swine operations, while cattle applications include long-acting injectable therapies in beef production and intramammary products in dairy herds.
Pet spending supports targeted antibiotic demand
Growth in companion animal ownership and veterinary expenditures is also contributing to the market outlook.
The report estimates that 67% of U.S. households owned a pet in 2025, up four percentage points from 2023, while average veterinary spending per pet increased 6.1% between 2024 and 2025.
Greater adoption of diagnostic testing may further support targeted prescribing for specific infections rather than empirical use of broad-spectrum products. The report identifies aminoglycosides and first-generation cephalosporins among therapies used for selected companion animal infections.
Online veterinary pharmacies and tele-veterinary services represent another potential distribution opportunity, although differing prescription, licensing and telemedicine requirements can complicate expansion across jurisdictions.
Tetracyclines remain largest antibiotic class
Tetracyclines accounted for 28.53% of veterinary antibiotic market revenue in 2025, making them the largest drug class covered by the report. Their routine group use faces pressure, however, from medicated-feed restrictions and tighter wastewater requirements in some markets.
Aminoglycosides generated an estimated $680 million in 2025 and are forecast to grow at a 6.75% CAGR through 2031, supported in part by veterinary use of gentamicin and amikacin.
Penicillins and first-generation cephalosporins continue to play roles in dairy mastitis treatment, while tighter reserve classifications affect some later-generation cephalosporins.
The report also identifies long-acting macrolide formulations as an area of continued adoption in bovine respiratory disease management. Fluoroquinolone volumes, meanwhile, are under pressure from regulatory restrictions, including those affecting aquaculture.
Asia-Pacific forecast for stronger growth
North America accounted for 32.52% of global veterinary antibiotic revenue in 2025, according to the report. Regulatory restrictions on over-the-counter sales and veterinary feed use are constraining some demand, while companion animal spending and long-acting cattle treatments continue to support market value.
Asia-Pacific is projected to expand at a 6.12% CAGR through 2031. The report points to targeted treatment initiatives in China, modernization of India’s dairy sector and continued aquaculture demand in Southeast Asia as factors shaping the region.
Europe continues to implement stricter antimicrobial resistance and environmental requirements, while markets in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa vary substantially in veterinary oversight, antibiotic availability and regulatory requirements.
Beyond conventional antibiotics, the market is also being influenced by efforts to reduce antimicrobial use through probiotics, phage-based products and other alternatives.
Information sourced from the Research and Markets press release.
