Global feed industry ‘rising to the challenge of a growing population’

The global feed industry is rising to the challenge presented by a surge in population growth, states Alltech’s Global Feed Tonnage Survey 2013.

Kentucky-based animal feed and health specialist Alltech’s survey has found that global feed production is rising 4% annually, reaching 959m tonnes last year. Alltech assessed the compound feed production of 134 countries last December.

Alltech’s Irish-born founder and president, Pearse Lyons, said: “As we look to the demands of the future, chiefly the feeding of nine billion people by 2050, these survey results should stir optimism and resolve within our feed and food industries.

“Our global feed industry is rising to the challenge, and we’re seeing growth across the board. Moreover, we’re seeing it in some particularly key areas — BRIC, Africa and aquaculture,” added Dr Lyons, who was also guest speaker at the recent Cork Chamber annual dinner.

The survey reaffirmed China as the chief producer of feed at 191m tons and an estimated 10,000 feed mills. Consistent with late 2011 assessments, US and Brazil followed with 179m tons produced by 5,251 feed mills and 66m tons produced by 1,237 feed mills respectively. Overall, a year-to-date 26m ton increase was observed in BRIC countries.

Asia continues to be the world’s number one producing region at 350m tons. However, Africa exceeded Asia in growth over 2011 results, increasing its tonnage nearly 15% from 47m in 2011 to 54m in 2012.

Globally, the survey identified 26,240 feed mills. The Middle East was estimated to have the largest feed mills, with an average of over 63,000 tons produced per mill. In all, 60% of feed produced globally is pelleted.

Aidan Connolly, vice president of Alltech and director of Alltech’s annual survey, added: “The 2013 publication of the annual year-end assessment by Alltech… will hopefully allow governments, non-governmental organisations and the greater public to appreciate the value that the feed industry is generating globally.”

The survey found that poultry continues to dominate with a 43% share of the feed market at 411m tons. The pig feed sector matched poultry’s 8% growth, moving to 218m tons globally. The ruminant feed market grew more than 13% between late 2011 and Dec 2012, and now requires 254m tons.

Equine feed tonnage increased almost 17% to 10.8m tons. Aquaculture is the fastest growing species sector by tonnage with growth greater than 55% since 2011.

Pet food represents 20.5m tons, 40% of which is produced in the US.