September 30, 2022

 

Trouw Nutrition's Adam Banaszak: Executing an encompassing approach to feed challenges in Asia-Pacific

 

Adam Banaszak, the new general manager of Trouw Nutrition Asia Pacific Export, began his current role last July and will lead the development and expansion of the company in the region.

 

The former GM of the Myanmar-based subsidiary of Trouw Nutrition will bring along experiences that are "centered around growth," Banaszak states. He was previously based in Europe and had worked with companies under the SHV umbrella — which Nutreco is also a part of.   

 

"We are seeing much growth across APAC markets, and we want to contribute even more to this growth in the coming years," Banaszak remarks. "I'm acutely aware of the current challenges the industry is facing, rising feed costs, inflation and supply chain issues. We are here to help our customers and partners go through the toughest times."

 

He shares more with eFeedLink about Trouw Nutrition's current efforts and offers views on market conditions in the animal feed sector. 

   

How would you bring your past experiences to bear on the various markets in the Asia Pacific?

 

We have excellent specialists both in the Asia Pacific and Europe, and who can contribute to tackling challenges in every market where we operate. With that, my goal is to build a strong organisation that facilitates knowledge and expertise transfer to the APAC, while also allowing for a customised approach to each specific market.

 

For instance, the market in Thailand is different than in South Korea, but we can help resolve challenges together with all stakeholders. These stakeholders would include universities, integrators, distributors, farming and feed milling — we're all in this together.

  

What are the experiences and expertise that Trouw Nutrition intends to share with producers in Asia Pacific countries?

 

One of the lessons that I gained from (my time in) Myanmar — that I wish to continue in all countries within my scope — is knowledge transfer.

 

By having access to dozens of trial results and research data as well as cooperation with the best universities worldwide, Trouw Nutrition is in the best position to help accelerate new technologies in feeding adoption, which will help tackle rising inflation by improving performance.

 

In fact, now, in many APAC countries, we see a growing trend in the reduction of antibiotic use, limits on zinc oxide and copper sulphate doses, challenges with raw material prices and availability, inflation, foreign currency exchange volatility, etc. We can connect stakeholders across the globe and facilitate solutions transfer.

 

One good example of Trouw Nutrition's approach in this regard is the use of young animal feeds in the form of milk replacers, of which we have a unique product range. These products are especially important for countries recovering from African swine fever, which damaged many markets in Asia in the recent years.

 

Another example of our approach is the use of unique blends of acids in feed mills and farms. These help to reduce the risk of animal health issues as well as boost feed mill efficiency through moisture optimisation.

 

We have a lot of knowledge and solutions to offer to all the participants in the food supply chain. It's no accident that I put knowledge first, followed by product and solution.

  

High feed prices have become a key issue in livestock production consequent to the war in Ukraine. What would be Trouw Nutrition's approach to this development?

 

We see those challenges everywhere, so the Asia Pacific is no exception.

 

What we offer to our customers is an approach based on data and research. Switching to other supply sources or other raw materials can be risky, but that risk can be reduced, for instance, with our mycotoxin analysis and reporting tools. Many customers choose to hold more stocks of raw materials, and we have solutions that help keep them secure.

 

On a more general note, we can help with the sourcing of premixes, young animal feeds and feed additives. Through our global presence, we can more easily obtain raw materials and provide more secure supply to our customers in the Asia Pacific. We see this trend growing against the backdrop of many supply chain disruptions and major customers wanting to diversify their supplier portfolio.

  

What is your assessment of antimicrobial resistance reduction efforts in major livestock-producing countries in the Asia Pacific?

 

Many countries in the Asia Pacific already have strict legislation concerning antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) and antibiotic use in general. Guidelines to reduce antimicrobial resistance in livestock productions were put in place in both poultry and swine productions.

 

I think the key issue here is execution; even the best regulations on paper can be implemented without proper controls and procedures in place, and thus will remain just that – words on paper.

 

So far, countries like Japan and South Korea have successfully reduced AGP and antibiotic uses in their food supply chain. In comparison, the Philippines is not strict in this aspect and has not fully implemented legislation for antibiotic/AGP reduction. However, some poultry integrators there adapted and prioritised the replacement and reduction of antibiotics in livestock productions.

 

Australia has no legislation, but advocacy for AGP and antibiotic reduction is growing. Malaysia has legislation implemented, especially for animal products intended for export. In Thailand, some producers are still using AGPs and antibiotics, but, for animal products that will be exported, antibiotics usage is restricted or prohibited.

 

Our solutions are combined in an integrated approach that looks at all critical points in feed, farm and health management to support the replacement of AGPs and reduction of antibiotic dependency in livestock production.

 

Additionally, effective pathogen control, digestion support and gut condition improvement are our main focus points, as these factors greatly influence the performance of animals.

 

Our approach is never one single product; a holistic approach is needed.

 

Our customers can rely on us to advise them on feed safety, preventing pathogens from occurring in feed and water, improving gut health conditions, farm management support for husbandry practices and biosecurity, as these are very important in controlling diseases and consequently, antibiotic reduction.

  

We understand Trouw Nutrition endeavours to lead the change in food production towards "more circular and renewable" methods. Please explain this concept.

 

One of the challenges we set for ourselves is to contribute to the feed-to-food supply chain. A good example of this would be the waste treatment of, for example, brewers spent yeast, which, post-treatment, can be used in animal feed instead of heading to a landfill. We aim to advocate for such programmes in APAC with key opinion leaders to influence the sustainability aspect of livestock industry.

  

What does the future hold for Trouw Nutrition?

 

We aim to grow, despite the difficult market conditions, because, especially in those tough times, we need to be there for our customers and partners to support them in their challenges.

 

We're also looking for strong partnerships with distributors, who operate in our export markets and have excellent market understanding and the capabilities to deliver not only products but, more importantly, our know-how to their customers.

  

- Terry Tan, eFeedLink