Industrial feed production has fallen in Spain between 3 and 3.5% in 2023. It is the first time that the decline is greater than the European average (-2%), one of the main causes being the decline in pig hut. Although the causes are multifactorial because they involve aspects of animal health, regulations, international trade and climate, among others, as highlighted by Efeagro.
And 2023 was a year in which all feed prices fell between 8 and 30%, depending on the species and category, due to raw materials (cereals especially) that also fell dramatically after a 2022 in which they were shot due to the consequences of the war in Ukraine.
The association of compound animal food manufacturers (Cesfac) estimates that industrial feed production will fall between 3 and 3.5%, which, translated into volume, is almost one ton less (1,000 kilos) than in 2022 when 27 were manufactured. .07 million tons.
At the community level, the European employers’ association Fefac expects that EU countries will produce almost 2.4 million tons less feed, marked by this drop in the pig herd, not only in Spain but also in Germany and Denmark. according to AgroInformation.com
For 2024, Fefac speaks of an “uncertain” scenario in terms of the demand for compound feed. Once again, animal health, economic “uncertainty”, “persistent” inflation, climatic “irregularities” and other specific aspects such as the increase in poultry meat imports from Ukraine appear to be “key factors” that will determine the greater or lesser demand for feed for livestock.
