Global animal feed production bounced back in 2024
Despite the ongoing issues posed by high pathogenic avian influenza, economic uncertainties and climate fluctuations, figures show animal feed production rose last year.
Figures released by Alltech in its Agri-Food Outlook showed animal feed production rising by 1.2% to 1.396 billion metric tonnes in 2024 from 1.380 billion mt in 2023.
The annual survey, based on data from 142 countries and 28,235 feed mills, found that the top 4 countries (China, United States, Brazil and India) produced more than half (52%) of the world’s feed.
Taking into account the next 6 largest feed producers (Mexico, Russia, Spain, Vietnam, Turkey and Japan), the top 10 nations produced nearly two-thirds of all animal feed (65.6%).
Dairy – Substantial growth
Favourable milk prices during 2024, but also a hastening shift towards more intensive farming practices, along with robust consumer demand, all helped boost dairy feed tonnage by 3.2% to 165,500 million mt.
The largest areas of growth were in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa and Latin America, while dairy production in the United States was comparatively static. Oceania’s reliance on abundant pasture led to a slight dip in its feed tonnage.
Alltech said it believed there was strong growth potential and resilience for the global dairy sector, adding that the modernisation and intensification of production and higher milk yields would foster further increases. The one caveat it raised was potential lower farmgate prices in China could limit overall global gains.
More animal feed production info on poultry, pig, beef cattle, aquaculture and pet food can be found here.
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