Veterinary Anti-infectives Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Animal Type, By Product (Antibacterials, Antifungals), By Route Of Administration, By Type, By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Veterinary Anti-infectives Market Trends

The global veterinary anti-infectives market size was estimated at USD 7.88 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2024 to 2030. Key factors expected to drive the market include the rise in infectious diseases among animals, growing research initiatives, a boost to prudent antibiotic use, increasing regulatory approvals, and growing applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The growing applications and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) help solve challenges in the veterinary sector.

Industry participants ranging from educational & research institutions, and animal welfare organizations to market players are attempting to inculcate the use of AI into daily practices of veterinary sector. AI can be an effective tool for streamlining daily animal activities, discovering novel drugs for veterinary use as well as accurately finding out the areas of improvement in different sub-sectors of veterinary industry. Furthermore, due to rising drug resistance among animals is leading to authorities restricting redundant use of anti-infective drugs and promoting their use only if absolutely necessary.

In veterinary medicine, antibacterials and anti-infectives like antifungals, antivirals, and others are frequently used to treat infectious disorders brought on by bacteria and other microbes. Animals can be treated with various antibiotic classes, such as aminoglycosides, quinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, macrolides, cephalosporins, and cephamycins. While some are more specifically focused (e.g., they may work better against certain bacteria but less well against other bacteria), others are effective against a broader variety of organisms. Therefore, antibiotics are frequently referred to as narrow- or broad-spectrum medications.

The market has been going through a turbulent phase in recent years due to rising drug resistance among animals. Researchers across the domain focus on combating this through research and development initiatives for treating veterinary infections. For instance, in April 2024, Anvive Lifesciences presented research data on an antifungal vaccine at the World Vaccine Congress. This vaccine is potentially the world's first systemic vaccine, which can be used in both the animal and its owner.

Furthermore, as per May 2024 publications by VOA News, a veterinarian from Texas, conducted an in-depth study about the emergence of bird flu virus in cattle. After testing thousands of samples, it was discovered that bird flu, which typically only infects avian species, can infect livestock animals like cattle. This discovery opens up novel avenues for R&D of products for use in cattle, essentially boosting the market.

Moreover, leading veterinary animal health products manufacturer Zoetis and a dedicated biopharma R&D firm, Blacksmith Medicines, announced a collaboration in March 2024. This partnership aims to research and develop novel animal antibiotics that can bypass drug resistance by targeting specific bacteria. Continuously evolving research initiatives boost the penetration of novel treatments and encourage industry professionals to develop novel therapies for treating animal ailments.

Another crucial driving factor for this market is the rising prevalence of infectious diseases in companion and livestock animals. For example, according to 2023 statistics published by ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, during an outbreak of Lumpy skin diseases, 29.45 lakh cattle were infected and caused over 1.55 lakh deaths in over 15 states of India. Because India is a prominent dairy producer worldwide, this drives the demand for anti-infective drugs.

Furthermore, the U.S., one of the top beef-producing countries, is currently experiencing an outbreak of bird flu among cattle. According to May 2024 reports by the US FDA, more than 250 beef products from over 38 states tested positive for high-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This can prove to be a crucial hurdle in the country's beef production and can be seen as an opportunity for the industry players to develop the necessary therapies to tackle this outbreak.

Moreover, South Africa, which depends heavily on its poultry production, was severely affected by the outbreak of HPAI. According to December 2023 data published by Poultry World, the country experienced a massive 30% drop in egg production, and more than a million poultry had to be culled due to the outbreak. Such instances indicate the urgent demand for effective therapies to avert epidemics of diseases in companion and farmed animals, paving the way a lucrative market growth.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The industry is highly innovative, with researchers worldwide launching novel products to address growing infective diseases in animals. For example, in March 2024, the US FDA approved the world’s first antifungal drug to treat yeast ear infections in dogs.

The market has a moderate level of mergers and acquisitions. Industry participants are attempting to consolidate the distribution channels for veterinary medicines by acquiring other platforms. For instance, in May 2024, Pharmacy2U acquired PharmPet Co. to enhance its online pharmacy services.

Regulations have a very high impact on this market. This can be attributed to regulatory restrictions on the use of antibiotics in animals amidst the rise in drug resistance. These restrictions have restricted the drugs from being used selectively and are subject to heavy regulatory scrutiny before approvals as well as monitoring post-approval. These steps taken by organizations like the USFDA and EU aim to address concerns over antibiotic resistance and promote responsible antibiotic use.

The market is currently led by a few players, such as Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc, and Merck & Co. Inc. However, the adoption of regional products is very high due to factors like cost concerns and alternative therapies. However, due to a shift in regulatory dynamics, many startups are emerging that aim to develop selective anti-infective drugs that can bypass drug resistance.

The market is experiencing moderate regional expansion. To boost revenues and introduce novel therapies in different countries, manufacturers are expanding their production capacity to grow their regional presence. For instance, in April 2024, Norbrook Laboratories, a leading veterinary drugs  manufacturer, doubled the production capacity at its existing facility in the U.S.

Animal Type Insights

The livestock segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share of 63.69% in 2023. Fish, poultry, swine, cattle, sheep, and goats are among the subcategories of the livestock segment. Growing everyday necessities, environmental sustainability, and rising meat consumption are all expected to contribute to this segment's significant expansion. For example, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported in May 2024 that from January to April 2024, the country produced approximately 8,863 million pounds of beef.

The companion animal segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period. Growing public awareness about the health advantages of owning small companion animals are beneficial for the segment's expansion. These health advantages include improved blood pressure, stress, anxiety, cholesterol, psychological stability, and socialization possibilities. The availability of an extensive range of anti-infective products made especially for companion animals, along with the tendency towards preventative healthcare measures, all contribute to the growth of this market.

Product Insights

The antibacterials segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share in 2023, owing to rising infectious diseases among livestock & companion animals. Key antibacterial drugs produced especially for animal use include cephalosporins, tetracyclines, penicillin, macrolides, quinolones, sulfonamides, and polymyxins. The World Health Organization (WHO) carries out several initiatives to address food consumption, food-borne zoonoses, and antibiotic resistance as health risks at the interface of humans, animals, and ecosystems. This will fuel demand for veterinary anti-infectives and improved veterinary healthcare facilities shortly.

The antivirals segment is expected to showcase lucrative growth over the forecast owing to the increasing prevalence of fatal viral diseases like rabies and feline calicivirus. According to a 2023 study published in the Korean Journal of Veterinary Service, the prevalence of feline calicivirus (FCV) in multiple areas like Korea and Europe was estimated to be 47%. This rise in viral infections among animals is estimated to boost the sale of antiviral drugs.

Route Of Administration Insights

The oral segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share in 2023 due to the simplicity of dosage administration. Additionally, since oral administration reduces the need for trips to veterinary clinics and hospitals, it helps prolong the action period. Drugs can be administered via multiple dosage forms, such as conventional tablets, chewable tablets, and oral liquids, and can be administered either directly or through feed/water. Frequent antimicrobial medications include tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, β lactams, diazepam, macrolides, and sulphonamides.

The others segment is expected to grow with the highest CAGR in the market over 2024-2030. This segment contains products that can be administered by routes like topical, rectal, and intrauterine. The growth of this segment is due to the rise in the use of alternate forms of drug delivery by veterinarians. This is used due to reasons like low animal compliance for other delivery forms like oral, disease-specific requirements, low-absorption of drugs through other forms like oral and injectable. Furthermore, routes like topical provide higher bioavailability of the drug for infections that affect the external surface of the animal’s body.

Type Insights

The OTC (over-the-counter) segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share in 2023. Animal owners prefer these products because they are affordable, suitable for mild diseases, convenient, and accessible without a prescription from a veterinarian. The popularity of over-the-counter (OTC) options indicates that animal owners prefer easily available, reasonably priced, and reliable solutions for their animals' everyday medical requirements, even while prescription treatments are necessary for serious health conditions.

The prescription segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period. This can be attributed to the recent regulatory changes that restrict the veterinary drug use to prescriptive use, lowering the consumption of OTC anti-infectives and leading to increased adoption of prescription anti-infective drugs.

Distribution Channel

The retail pharmacies segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share in 2023. This is explained by the accessibility and ease of delivery of immunizations and medications via retail pharmacies. Their extensive distribution networks guarantee product availability, and their well-established standing and adherence to regulations cultivate consumer confidence. Furthermore, it is projected that the digitization of retail pharmacies will spur the expansion of this market in the upcoming years by lowering the possibility of prescription errors.

The e-commerce segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period. This segment is driven by the ease of ordering from home and being accessible around the clock. Online retailers improve consumer happiness by providing a large selection of products at competitive prices and home delivery options. Further driving growth has been the move to online purchasing brought about by the pandemic, increased internet use, and increased digital literacy. These factors indicate a major shift in consumer behavior toward online purchases.

Regional Insights

North America veterinary anti-infectives market accounted for the largest market share of 35.87%. The existence of well-established competitors and rising treatment costs among veterinary clinics are the primary drivers of the industry. Zoonoses and Public Health (2016) states that zoonotic illnesses represent a significant burden on the North American continent. Given that animals frequently spread zoonotic illnesses, they pose an even greater risk to public health. The market is growing in part because zoonotic infections are so common. According to February 2024 reports by the CDC, six out of ten infectious diseases that are known to spread to people can be spread by animals. Moreover, animals are the source of three of every four newly discovered or developing infectious diseases in humans.

U.S. Veterinary Anti-infectives Market Trends

The veterinary anti-infectives market in the U.S. took the highest share in the global market. The country market has benefited from the existence of significant industry players, including Kindred Biosciences, Elanco, and Zoetis. To meet consumer demand, these businesses make significant R&D investments to develop innovative veterinary medications. For example, in October 2023, Zoetis commercially introduced Librela (bedinvetmab injectable) in the United States, showcasing the company's commitment to providing customized treatment to meet dogs' medical needs and canine innovation.

Europe Veterinary Anti-infectives Market Trends

Due to advantageous government laws like the EU Veterinary Medicines Regulation, which restricts antibiotics to certain situations and prohibits their routine administration owing to rising drug resistance among animals, the Europe veterinary anti-infectives market is expected to grow considerably. Furthermore, bolstering market growth potential in the region are trade organizations like EFTA, the increasing pet population, rising pet insurance penetration, and better animal husbandry methodologies.

Germany's veterinary anti-infectives market is likely to expand due to the growing pet adoption rate and the growing importance of animal husbandry. German livestock data indicates that the nation has the second-biggest cow population in the EU and the largest dairy cattle herd. The International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) also reports that almost half of German farms are livestock-focused, which is expected to foster favorable conditions for the veterinary anti-infectives industry.

Asia Pacific Veterinary Anti-infectives Market Trends

The veterinary anti-infectives market in Asia Pacific is growing due to the rising incidence of animal diseases, the growing concern for animal health, the increasing number of livestock, and the growing adoption of pets. A significant number of cattle and growing healthcare spending on veterinary care and animal health are additional significant factors anticipated to drive market expansion. For instance, according to April 2024 data by USDA, nearly 30 percent of all cattle worldwide are found in China and India. The expanding population of livestock has boosted the demand for the production of meat and dairy products, which is predicted to fuel the demand for veterinary antibiotics for livestock animals.

India veterinary anti-infectives market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 8% from 2024-2030. This is owing to the developing dairy industry, growing veterinary healthcare institutions, and expanded livestock production. This large cattle population i.e. about 30% of global population is set to boost the demand for anti-infective drugs to ensure that infectious outbreaks do not affect livestock production in the country. Furthermore, another crucial driving factor is the recent rise in adoption of pets like dogs and cats among Indian households and spending on their preventive as well as therapeutic care from a variety of infectious diseases.

Latin America Veterinary Anti-infectives Market Trends

The growing incidence of pet injuries and increased product sales drive the Latin American industry. Additionally, throughout the forecast period, the market is anticipated to be driven by the growing number of livestock and the existence of animal pharmaceutical firms. The Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that, with a cattle herd nearing 360 million heads, Latin America accounts for roughly 24 percent of global cattle production. Furthermore, it exports upwards of 22% of the world's beef, accounting for 23% of worldwide beef production.  

Brazil veterinary anti-infectives market is projected to grow due to growing vaccination laws aimed at preventing the spread of animal diseases and rising consumer demand for food items related to livestock. Brazil's growing veterinary anti-infectives market results from the country's large cattle population. At 232 million cattle, Brazil has the second-largest herd of cattle, according to FAO estimates from 2023. Additionally, it is the biggest exporter of beef in the world. Because of this, there has recently been a higher awareness of the importance of animal health, which has increased the demand for veterinary medications like antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals, among others.

Middle East & Africa Veterinary Anti-infectives Market Trends

The veterinary anti-infectives market in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) is growing, as the region's increasing prevalence of infectious diseases in animals is expected to boost the demand for veterinary treatments and medications. A further factor driving demand for veterinary medicines, including veterinary antibiotics, is the spread of animal pathogens due to increased international trade. Finally, the MEA's rising livestock and poultry adoption is anticipated to spur regional market growth.

South Africa veterinary anti-infectives market is growing as a large number of farmers maintain their animals to supply milk and meat to consumers across the nation and the world, hence, livestock is an essential component of the economic system in this country. However, since livestock are susceptible to an array of infectious diseases, there's a growing requirement for veterinary medicines to treat pets and livestock and stop the disease from spreading to other animals. Two major influenza outbreaks since 2003 were caused by avian influenza (H5N1) and swine flu (H1N1). Therefore, it is anticipated that the rising incidence of such infectious disorders would fuel the need for veterinary medications such as anti-infectives.

Key Veterinary Anti-infectives Company Insights

Recent Developments

• In May 2024, Virbac acquired Sasaeah to strengthen its position in the veterinary antibiotics market, especially in the cattle segment. The company plans to offer manufacturing and R&D facilities in Japan and Vietnam through this acquisition.

• In March 2024, Zoetis purchased a 21-acre manufacturing site in Melbourne to expand vaccine production for livestock and companion animals, increasing its footprint in Australia.

• In January 2024, Merck received approval from the European Commission for its injectable BRAVECTO formulation, designed for dogs and puppies aged 6 months and older. The product provides immediate and persistent flea and tick control, with efficacy lasting from 3 days to 12 months.

• In December 2023, Norbrook opened three state-of-the-art cleanrooms at its Nairobi manufacturing facility, following a GBP 2.3 million (USD 3.2 million) investment, to enhance quality, regulatory compliance, and support local agriculture. The launch emphasized Norbrook’s role in improving animal health & food security and creating job opportunities in East Africa.

• In January 2022, Dechra partnered with Bioiberica to license and distribute its Atopivet dermatology product lines for dogs and cats in the U.S.

Veterinary Anti-infectives Market Report Scope

Global Veterinary Anti-infectives Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global veterinary anti-infectives market report based on animal type, product, route of administration, type, distribution channel, and region.

• Animal Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Livestock Animal

    • Poultry

    • Swine

    • Cattle

    • Sheep & Goats

    • Fish

    • Others

  • Companion Animal

    • Dogs

    • Cats

    • Others

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Antimicrobial

    • Tetracyclines

    • Penicillin

    • Cephalosporins

    • Macrolides

    • Quinolones

    • Others

  • Antifungals

  • Antivirals

  • Antiparasitic

  • Others

• Route Of Administration Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Oral

  • Injectable

  • Topical

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • OTC

  • Prescription

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Hospital/ Clinic Pharmacy

  • Retail Pharmacies

  • E-commerce

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • India

    • China

    • South Korea

    • Australia

    • Thailand

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait