August 27, 2014

China's H1 feed production down 3% on-year

According to the China Feed Association Information Centre, the country's feed production in H1 2014 totalled 83 million tonnes, down by 3% on-year.

Swine feed was 38.3 million tonnes, an increase of 0.3%; layer feed amounted to 10.33 million tonnes, down 8%; poultry feed was 22 million tonnes, down 7.0%; aquatic feed was 4.8 million tonnes, down 10%.

Overall, the feed industry continued its sluggish trend from last year, and production continued to decline. However, based on a quarterly analysis, the feed industry experienced a significant growth in the second quarter as compared to the first quarter.

In the first quarter, due to factors such as the H7N9 bird flu epidemic, lacklustre consumption during the Spring Festival, and delay in the return of warmer temperatures, feed requirements for all livestock were reduced significantly.

In the second quarter, due to the gradual subsiding of the bird flu epidemic, rising temperatures leading to the peak season in aquaculture, and rising prices of livestock food products, the feed industry rebounded.