May 14, 2007

Rise in ethanol production affects Ireland's feed industry

Ireland's feed industry is currently facing a shortage of raw materials due to the rise in US ethanol production. 

Each year, Ireland imports over 1 million tonnes of soymeal and 160,000 tonnes of corn for feed production. With reduced domestic corn availability now, Irish corn prices have doubled in the past year.

Rising energy costs and weather affecting the corn harvest have also pushed up Irish feed prices by 15 to 20 percent during this period.