0
The compound feed production in the EU-28 in 2013 reached an estimated level of 153.8 mio. t, i.e. slightly less than in 2012, according to data provided by FEFAC members.
While pig feed production dropped by 1.7%, cattle and poultry feed have seen their production grow respectively by +0.8 and +0.6%. As a consequence, poultry feed consolidated its position of leading segment of EU compound feed production slightly above pig feed.
The most important factors which have weighed on the EU feed demand in 2013 were the cool weather in spring, which impacted on availability of forages in a large number of countries and the still fragile economic situation of the pig sector, which, along with the implementation of the group-housing requirements for sows, affected the resilience of the pig production.
Among the largest producing countries, UK and Poland performed rather well, with annual growth of resp. +5 and +3%, while Germany and Italy remained stable and France, Spain, and The Netherlands saw their production fall by 1%.
Germany strengthened its position as leading EU country in terms of total compound feed production before France and Spain shoulder to shoulder.
Market Outlook for 2014
FEFAC market experts foresee a stabilisation in poultry feed production, a further reduction in pig feed production (-0.5%) and a more significant reduction in cattle feed demand due to better expected weather conditions for grasslands and forages production (-1%). Overall, this would lead to a 1% decrease in compound feed production in 2014 vs. 2013.
Wednesday March 26, 2014/ FEFAC/ European Union.
http://www.fefac.eu
