November 22, 2019

EU livestock feed supply reduced in 2018-19

According to the latest 2018-19 European Union (EU) feed protein balance sheet published by the European Commission, total livestock feed supply has dropped when compared to previous years.

The balance sheet published November 2019 reported a 3% drop in self-sufficiency to 77% compared to 80% in the 2017-18 balance sheet. This is due to increased corn imports, which have compensated for reduced supply of roughage, which includes grass, silage corn, fodder legumes and dried fodder.

Lower numbers of cattle and swine herds have also contributed to the drop in total livestock feed supply at 83 million tonnes, 4% lower compared to the previous balance sheet.

However, roughage remains a major source of protein feed for livestock in the EU as the region is self-sufficient for roughage production. It comprises 42% of all total livestock feed used in the EU.

21% of livestock feed in the EU are from crops such as cereals (wheat, barley, grain corn etc). Oilseeds meals account for 26% and soybean meals make up 16%.

The EU feed protein balance sheet 2018-19 can be found here.

-      European Commission