Europe’s feed industry is highly dependent on third countries, above all China, for the supply of vitamins and amino acids essential to animal nutrition. A comprehensive study released by the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) shows that this dependency creates systemic risks spanning animal health, environmental targets, food security and Europe’s strategic autonomy.

 Europe’s feed and livestock sectors are facing an increasingly acute vulnerability in the supply of vitamins and amino acids, two indispensable components of modern animal nutrition. A dedicated analysis carried out by FEFAC with expert support reveals that global production of these additives is concentrated in the hands of very few countries and companies, leaving the European Union structurally exposed. The findings are based on FEFAC’s 25-page report titled “EU Vulnerability for the Sourcing of Essential Nutritional Feed Additives”, which provides a detailed assessment of production concentration, import dependency and supply risks across the EU feed and livestock sectors. As the federation bluntly states, “Europe is heavily dependent on foreign countries, and particularly China, for the supply of vitamins and amino acids for animals,” a problem that has been flagged for years but remains largely unresolved.

Vitamins and amino acids are not optional inputs in feed formulations. Vitamins are essential for growth, bone development, metabolism, fertility and immune defense, while deficiencies can lead to blindness, skeletal disorders, immunosuppression and productivity losses. Amino acids, as the building blocks of proteins, directly determine growth performance and feed efficiency. Their targeted use has also become a key environmental tool: by reducing crude protein levels in diets, nitrogen emissions are lowered and dependence on imported protein sources such as soy is reduced. According to FEFAC, this approach saves around three million tons of imported soybean meal in Europe every year.

On the supply side, however, the figures are stark. Around 80% of global vitamin production takes place in China, compared with just 8% in the EU. The Union does not produce certain vitamins at all, including B9, C and K3, and remains fully dependent on China for vitamin B9 and almost entirely dependent for biotin. Overall, China accounts for 60–70% of the value of vitamins imported by the EU and 70–80% of amino acids. As the study underlines, “China is the only country producing all vitamins, with a global market share ranging from 33% to 99%,” highlighting the extreme level of market concentration.

The problem goes beyond a simple lack of production capacity. FEFAC warns that Europe’s chemical and fermentation industries suffer from persistently high energy and raw material costs, undermining competitiveness and discouraging investment. While global demand for vitamins and amino acids continues to rise—driven by more efficient farming systems and stricter environmental objectives—European production has stagnated. In such a concentrated market, even a temporary disruption at a single production site could have global repercussions.

The consequences of supply shortages would be immediate and far-reaching. A lack of key vitamins or amino acids could compromise animal health, reduce productivity and reproduction, and ultimately undermine Europe’s production of meat, milk, eggs and fish. With limited internal stockpiles, the EU would have little room to maneuver in the event of a disruption. As FEFAC concludes, “Without a strong industrial strategy, the EU risks losing ground both in terms of sustainability and food sovereignty.” For Europe, the message is clear: strategic dependence on a single dominant supplier has become a critical vulnerability at the very heart of the food chain.