April 3, 2025
Chinese feed: Lower February production amid Chinese New Year celebrations
China's feed output shrunk but remained above the level of February 2025.
In February, due to the long Chinese New Year holiday in the country and fewer days in the month, both feed consumption and output decreased on a month-on-month basis. However, the total feed output in February was significantly higher compared with February 2024.
China's 'super-scale' feed companies with an annual production exceeding 10 million tons, all recorded a month-on-month decrease in output.
Pig feed
In February, China's pig feed production continued its downward trend. The consumption volumes of feeds for piglets, sows, and fattening pigs diminished sharply throughout the month, whereas that for sows saw a slight decrease. The average volume of conceivable sows in January and February dwindled compared to late 2024, though it remained high, almost 10% above the average for January and February 2024.
For the pig sector, the production of compound feed, concentrate feed, and premixes saw reductions in February while super-scale pig feed producers reported a decrease in production.
Layer feed
February's consumption volume of poultry layer feed shrank compared to January but remained higher on year. The production of compound feeds, concentrates, and premixes for the sector decreased. The feed output for both chicken and duck layers shrank in February.
Broiler feed
Bucking sliding trends, the consumption volume of broiler feed expanded in February. In January, broiler feed consumption dwindled due to the high slaughter volume prior to the Chinese New Year celebration. This set the basis for a rebound in February as broiler farms rebuilt pens, hence propping up the consumption volume of broiler feed.
The broiler segment was the only sector to record a month-on-month increase in feed production in February (as well as a higher production volume compared with February 2024). The production of feed for both broiler chicken and duck expanded. The production volumes of broiler feed producers varied.
Aquafeed
The production of aquafeeds remained at a low scale in February, as the low climate temperatures impeded aquaculture output. Nonetheless, total aquafeed production stayed above that of the level of February 2024.
Freshwater feed production increased marginally, while seawater feed output dropped significantly, thus dragging down overall output.
Ruminants
The production of ruminant feed continued to dwindle in February, falling below February 2024's level, with the production of complete feed, concentrate feed, and premix falling.
The consumption of dairy cattle feed dropped significantly, while that of beef cattle feed decreased modestly.
Market forecast
Feed production is expected to expand in March, with more days in the month and aquatic output expanding as aquaculture gains momentum amid warmer climates.
About EFL AG-DATA
EFL AG-DATA is a startup incubated by Singapore's Nanyang Technological University's Innovation and Enterprise Company (NTUitive) Incubator Program. It is developing an agricultural hub that will revolutionize the feed-to-meat supply chain in China and Southeast Asia countries through data-driven solutions. EFL's mission is to empower farms through innovative data-based services that solve complex problems and enhance productivity.
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