European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) published its annual report for 2018-19 season. The study says demand for cattle feed increased by 3.4% mainly caused by the shortage in roughages further to the drought.

According to FEFAC's annual report published in August, the compound feed production in the EU-28 increased by 1.8% in 2018 to 163.3 mio. t. Poultry feed has seen its production grow by 1.7% and cattle feed grew even by 3.4 % due to draught conditions. Overall, pig feed production remained stable. Increase in poultry feed production was mostly driven by the development of poultry production in Poland, Czech Republic and Finland recording a growth of app. 5%. In certain countries like Germany, the demand for laying hens feed dropped dramatically (-4%). In France, the positive result (+1.7%) was to a large extent linked to recovery of the duck feed market (+14%) after a sharp decrease over the last two years due to Avian Influenza restrictions. The higher demand for cattle feed, boosted by the shortage in roughages further to the drought, was offset by early culling of cows by certain farmers, which, together with heat stress, lowered milk production but also the feed demand. Pig feed production in Central European countries (Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia) has recorded growth of volumes by 3.5% and more, whereas North Western European countries (the Netherlands, France, Denmark) have seen their production of pig feed fall by 2-3%. Germany, Spain and France remain the three leading EU countries in terms of total compound feed. Spain is the leading cattle and pig feed producer while France maintains its leading position as poultry feed producer. The EU compound feed production represents 15% of the global production that is estimated at around 1,085 mio. t, progressing by 2.9% vs. 2017.