Sharp increases in egg and milk prices are reshaping feed demand across the EU, while higher fertilizer and veterinary expenses are adding pressure to livestock production costs, according to Eurostat’s latest data.

In the second quarter of 2025, EU agricultural output prices rose 5.6% compared with the same period in 2024. Among livestock products, eggs surged 27.8% and milk climbed 13.3%, highlighting strong market demand and potential adjustments in feed use.

Input costs not related to investment also moved upward. Fertilisers and soil improvers jumped 5.6%, while veterinary expenses increased 3.3%. Feeding stuffs, a key cost for livestock farmers, recorded a modest 0.4% rise. Energy and lubricants fell 5.8%, with motor fuel dropping 10.8%, partly offsetting other cost pressures.

Price increases were widespread across the EU, with Latvia (+21.8%), Ireland (+21.1%) and Luxembourg (+18.4%) posting the highest gains. Greece was the only country with a slight decline of 0.1%.

For the feed industry, soaring animal product prices paired with rising production costs signal both opportunity and risk, as feed demand and margins are influenced by shifting market dynamics.