As poultry feed production climbs to 49.9 million tons to officially unseat the pig sector as the EU’s primary segment, the industry must simultaneously grapple with a staggering 17.18% production crash in the Netherlands triggered by aggressive environmental mandates. This internal restructuring comes at a critical moment for European feed security, as the EU’s global market share has eroded to 13% amidst a high-stakes technological race against surging North American and Asian competitors.

The European feed sector is navigating a period of profound structural transformation. According to the newly released Feed & Food Report 2025 by European Compound Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC), the EU compound feed market reached 147.1 million tons in 2024. While this represents a marginal 0.22% increase, the figure masks a volatile landscape where geopolitical tensions, energy crises, and environmental shifts are rewriting the industry playbook.

POULTRY TAKES THE LEAD FOR THE FIRST TIME

For the first time, poultry feed has decisively overtaken pig feed as the EU’s largest production segment, reaching 49.9 million tons. This shift is driven by a consumer move toward leaner, more affordable proteins and a poultry sector that successfully utilized vaccination campaigns, particularly in France, to mitigate Avian Influenza. Conversely, the pig sector remains stagnant at -0.1%, stifled by African Swine Fever (ASF) and a decline in small-farm profitability.

GREEN PRESSURE EFFECTIVE ON THE NETHERLANDS

While Ireland and Denmark enjoyed 9% growth, the report highlights a ‘Green Pressure’ phenomenon. Environmental and animal welfare legislation, most notably in the Netherlands, has triggered a staggering 17.18% drop in Dutch production. As EU member states tighten nitrogen and sustainability mandates, the industry faces a controversial reality: production is not just shifting, it is being regulated out of existence in certain traditional hubs.

EUROPE’S SHARE IS SHRINKING

On the world stage, the EU now accounts for roughly 13% of global output. This share has eroded over seven years as the Asia-Pacific and North American markets surge. With China looming with anti-dumping duties on pork and Europe’s increasing reliance on imported proteins, the sector is forced toward "capital intensiveness" investing heavily in precision nutrition and innovation just to maintain its global standing.

The 2025 report makes it clear: the EU feed industry is no longer just about volume; it is a high-stakes race for technological efficiency in a shrinking regulatory space.