Industrial compound feed production for farmed animals in the EU-28 is estimated at 161.7 million tons for 2019, that is 0.9% lower than in 2018, according to EU feed trade group, FEFAC, citing data provided by its members.
There was a signicant increase in the compound feed demand for cattle in the rst quarter of 2019 arising from poor forage stocks after the drought and heat waves in 2018. Demand did not stay at that level though due to certain factors such as the resumption of normal weather conditions and increasing restrictions on phosphorous emissions in some countries, so much so that cattle feed demand fell by 2.3% overall in the EU in 2019 compared to last year.
Ireland recorded the biggest decrease in cattle feed demand, it saw a drop of 15%, with the UK following close behind - demand for cattle feed there in 2019 was lower by 7%, reported FEFAC.
Poultry feed production in the EU in 2019 is estimated to jump by just 0.1%, and that is well below the expected rise in poultry meat production in the EU, which is forecast to increase by 2.5% this year. The lower poultry feed demand could be caused by the sharp increase in poultry meat imports, particularly from Brazil, and a result also of enhanced feed eciency, noted the trade representatives.
Nevertheless, EU poultry feed production remains the leading segment of EU industrial compound feed production, well ahead of pig feed, said FEFAC.
Source: feednavigator.com.
