US: Mycotoxins in poultry feed could rise as a result of rerouting ships

Challenges facing the animal feed supply chain may cause rises in mycotoxin levels. The rerouting of shipments in the Red Sea and record corn harvests in the US are extending transit and storage times. About 40% of Asia-Europe trade normally goes through the Red Sea area. With shipments being rerouted due to geopolitical attacks, extending shipping times can allow moulds to degrade the nutrients in ingredients and produce mycotoxins. Stockpiling crops for long periods may also challenge quality assurance efforts on the farm. Dr Swamy Haladi, global technical commercial manager for Mycotoxin Risk Management at Selko, said extended exposure to humidity during storage could create favourable conditions for moulds to reproduce. “Some estimates suggest that the rerouting of shipments may extend crop transit time by at least 25%. As shipping costs are soaring (5 times more) and transit times are extended, it is critical that crops be safeguarded and the integrity of animal feed ...