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Pig feed production decreased by 0.5 % in 2019, mainly due to ASF outbreaks, the most impacted countries were Romania (which saw a reduction of 20 %) and Bulgaria (-9%). In “ASF-free countries” pig feed production was reported to be at the same or slightly higher levels in 2019. The production of pig feed in the EU-27 is expected to decrease by 2.3 % this year compared to 2019, in line with the general downward trend observed over the past few years. Although several countries are still impacted by ASF outbreaks (PL, HU, RO, BU) other countries (still “ASF-free”) benefit from continued export opportunities for pigs, mainly to Asian countries due to their recovery from ASF and delays in rebuilding their own pig herds.
As regards cattle feed, production decreased by 2.2 % compared to 2018, when drought conditions led to the poor forage harvests which were compensated by demand for feed grains and compound feed. Favourable weather conditions in 2019 meant a return to normal cattle feed demand patterns. The biggest decrease was reported in Ireland (18%) in 2019.
Poultry feed production for 2019 is estimated to have increased by only 0.1 %. The increase of poultry meat imports but also feed efficiency gains explain the lower demand increase. EU poultry feed production remains the leading segment of EU industrial compound feed production, well ahead of pig feed.
3 June 2020/ FEFAC/ European Union.
https://www.fefac.eu
