FEFAC, the European Compound Feed Manufacturers’ Federation, has analyzed data from its members to create its compound feed production estimates for 2014, and found that production reached 153.6 million tons, or .6 percent less than in 2013.
Pig and cattle feed production dropped by 1 percent and 1.5 percent respectively, but poultry feed’s production volume grew by .6 percent. As a result, poultry feed solidified its position of leading segment of EU compound feed production, ahead of pig feed.
The most important factor that affected feed production in 2014 was the Russian ban on pig meat that started in February 2014, putting additional pressure on farmers, especially pig and dairy farmers. The good availability of forages due to favorable weather conditions and the sharp drop in dairy prices significantly affected the demand for compound feed for dairy cows, which did not benefit at all from the 5 percent increase in milk deliveries in 2014.
Poland has been among the largest producing countries, with annual growth of almost 7 percent, while Germany remained stable and France, Spain, Italy, U.K. and The Netherlands saw their production fall by 0.7 to 1.9 percent.
Germany strengthened its position as leading EU country in terms of total compound feed production, ahead of France and Spain.
The final estimate and detailed breakdown of the 2014 results will be presented on the occasion of the 58th FEFAC General Assembly on June 10, 2015 in Cologne.
