There was 0.2% less animal feed grown in 2023 compared to 2022, according to the 2024 Agri-Food Outlook Report published by Alltech.
Alltech analysts estimated that global feed tonnage produced worldwide dropped by 2.6 million metric tons last year. The report attributed this decline to a drop in feed demand. It was fueled by:
- More efficient use of feed in livestock operations.
- Tight margins in food-animal production, causing a slowdown in the overall production of animal protein.
- Changing food consumption patterns, caused by inflation and dietary trends.
- Geopolitical tensions around the globe.
The greatest reduction in feed production occurred in Europe and North America. The largest growth was seen in the Asia-Pacific region, followed by Latin America, Africa, and Oceania.
The top-5 feed producing countries were unchanged: (1) China; (2) United States; (3) Brazil; (4) India; and (5) Mexico.
Compared to all feed production, the global dairy industry showed a 10-fold reduction, down 2.28% in the past year. High feed costs and low milk prices pushed dairy farmers to trim back cow numbers and seek less-costly, non-commercial feed sources. The report noted European dairy farmers continue to grapple with stricter environmental policies as they try to keep their businesses viable.
The only part of the world that saw growth in dairy feed production was the Asia-Pacific region. There, consumers are more widely embracing dairy products, and feed production in cooperatives is expanding.
Alltech’s annual feed survey encompasses data from 142 countries and more than 27,000 feed mills worldwide.
