November 8, 2022

EU compound feed production to fall 3.5% this year

The European Union's production of compound feed for farmed animals in 2022 is estimated to decrease by five million tonnes to a level of 145 million tonnes, compared to the 2021 level of 150 million tonnes — therefore, a decrease of 3.5% year on year.

Only feed manufacturers in the Baltics, Ireland, Poland, Bulgaria and Slovenia are expected to keep feed production at a similar level as last year's level. At the EU level, all of the major feed sectors will face a reduction.

The pig feed sector is likely to be the most affected. The production is estimated to decrease by 5.6%, compared to 2021 following the reductions in herd size and the number of sows, or farmers leaving the business in some EU states. This is mainly due to increased production costs and animal health issues such as African swine fever (ASF).

The situation is especially critical in Belgium (-11%), Denmark (-9%), Portugal (-8.4%), Germany (-8%) and Czech republic (-7.4%).

The Netherlands and Belgium continue to depopulate their pig herds to reduce agricultural environmental emissions. Romania and Poland are very much impacted by ASF.

- FEFAC