Italy Observed a Significant Increase in Compound Feed Production in 2021

Italy has seen a significant increase in compound feed production for nearly every major animal species except turkeys, rabbits, and horses. The poultry feed sector was the largest contributor in 2021, with production increasing by 6–8% YoY, followed by the pig and cattle feed sectors. The poultry sector is also one of the sectors that suffered the least from the COVID-19 crisis. Poultry production increased by 5% YoY in 2021, from 6,07MMT to 6,37MMT. Given that poultry farming contributes to 40% of Italy's overall production of animal feed, this is a positive number.

All individual poultry species saw increases in production volume in 2021, with broilers increasing by 6.1%, laying hens by 7.1%, and other birds increasing by 7.7%. The only exception is the category of turkeys, with a reduction of 3.7%. The decline in production is mainly due to avian flu, which resulted in the slaughter of nearly 15M heads.