EU Feed Production Is Anticipated to Decline by 3.5% YoY, With a Major Impact on the Pig Feed Sector

In 2022, the EU's compound feed production for farm animals will fall by 5MMT, a 3.5% decrease YoY. This is based on estimates from major producing countries, which forecast a decline in production ranging from 1.5–8.8% YoY in 2022 due to supply chain disruptions and the spread of animal diseases. Only feed manufacturers in the Baltic States, Ireland, Poland, Bulgaria, and Slovenia are expected to maintain feed production at the same level as in 2021, while at EU level, all major feed sectors will face a reduction, with the pig feed sector likely to be the most affected by this. Additionally, pig production in the EU is estimated to decrease by 5.6% YoY in 2022 due to reductions in herd size, the number of sows, and the number of farms, which are caused by high production costs and animal diseases such as African swine fever. Belgium's production has been reduced by 11%, followed by Denmark's reduction of 9%, Portugal's reduction of 8.4%, Germany's reduction of 8%, and the Czech Republic's reduction of 7.4%. The Netherlands and Belgium also continue to reduce the size of their censuses to reduce agricultural environmental emissions, while Romania and Poland are being heavily affected by African swine fever.