Europe’s 2017 compound poultry feed output higher

European Union compound feed production rose in 2017, despite avian influenza challenges impacting key markets.

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Krugloff | iStockPhoto.com
Krugloff | iStockPhoto.com

The European Union's production of compound feed for the poultry industry grew by 1.4 percent last year, expanding at a faster rate than output of compound feed for the pig industry, which rose by 1 percent, but trailing that of feed for cattle, which ended the year 3.6 percent higher.

In total, EU compound feed production reached 159 million tons in 2017, an increase of 1.5 percent, and accounted for 16 percent of global output, reports FEFAC, the European Compound Feed Manufacturers’ Association.

2017 saw avian influenza continue to hit the European poultry industry, particularly in France – Europe’s third-largest poultry meat producer – and Hungary. While this had a negative impact on poultry feed output in those countries, it was offset by increased production in other EU member states resulting in overall growth in the segment, and in contrast to predictions made mid-2017 that the year would end with output flat.

Germany, Spain and France were again the bloc’s largest feed producers, with Germany being the largest pig feed producer and France, once again, the largest supplier of poultry feed, despite difficulties in the local poultry industry.

For the fourth consecutive year, Poland, Europe’s largest poultry meat producer, was one of the best performing major European feed-producing countries, with total output growing by 7.5 percent. This growth was particularly driven by demand from the poultry and cattle industries.

By volume, compound poultry feed is the largest segment of production for European feed producers and significantly greater than production for the pig sector, despite a European preference for pig meat.

Stable demand for meat

After two years of strong growth, per capita meat consumption in Europe was flat last year at around 92 kg. Poultry meat consumption, at 27 kg, remains significantly below pig meat consumption, which stands at 41 kg.

Meat production in Europe was largely stable last year. Pig meat production contracted by 0.8 percent, while beef production rose by 0.3 percent. The poor performance in these two sectors was, however, largely offset by the poultry industry, which saw output grow by 0.8 percent.

2018

FEFAC forecasts that industrial compound feed production will be stable this year, or suffer a very small decline.

Where poultry feed is concerned, the association notes that the impact of difficulties in export markets for poultry producers, and the trend in some home markets toward lower stocking densities, will be counter-balanced by continuing increases in European consumption of poultry meat resulting in poultry feed output remaining at 2017 levels rather than declining.

Compound Feed By Species

Output of compound feed for the chicken and egg industries now accounts for a little more than one-third of the European Union’s compound feed production.

 

EU compound poultry feed demand flat through 2017

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