The animal feed industry rises again

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Animal Feed Industry Rises Again: Pet Food, Poultry, and Dairy Drive 2024 Growth

After a turbulent 2023, the global animal feed industry rebounded in 2024, posting a 1.2% increase to reach 1.396 billion metric tonnes, according to the latest Alltech Agri-Food Outlook. Despite pressures from high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), climate shifts, and economic headwinds, the sector shows signs of steady resilience and targeted growth.

Based on data from 142 countries and 28,235 feed mills, the report shows a familiar global pattern: just four countries—China, the U.S., Brazil, and India—accounted for 52% of all feed produced. When the next six (Mexico, Russia, Spain, Vietnam, Turkey, and Japan) are included, these ten powerhouses represent 65.6% of total production.

Pet Food: Global Demand Booms

The pet food sector was the industry’s fastest-growing segment, jumping 4.5% year over year to hit 37.7 million metric tonnes.

Driven by rising pet ownership, premiumisation, and an ongoing trend toward human-grade ingredients, the growth was particularly striking in:

Africa, which posted a 60% increase—the highest globally.

Asia-Pacific, where expanding middle classes and shifting attitudes toward pets fueled double-digit growth.

As consumer expectations evolve, the pet food sector continues to outperform traditional livestock segments, both in volume and profitability.

Dairy Feed: Solid Gains Amid Modernization

The dairy feed segment expanded 3.2% in 2024, reaching 165.5 million mt, supported by:

Strong milk prices and stable demand.

The ongoing transition to more intensive dairy systems.

Improved herd genetics and productivity.

Key growth regions included Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Africa, while the U.S. remained stable. In contrast, Oceania saw a small dip, reflecting its reliance on grazing over concentrated feeding.

China’s declining farmgate milk prices, however, may slow the sector’s trajectory heading into 2025.

Poultry Feed: Still the Global Anchor

Broiler feed production grew 1.8% to 385.4 million mt, comprising 27.6% of all feed produced worldwide.

Poultry continues to benefit from:

Its position as the most affordable animal protein.

Global growth in egg consumption, especially in Asia and Africa.

A strong recovery from supply challenges caused by HPAI outbreaks.

The layer feed segment also posted 1.4% growth, reaching 173 million mt, despite regional setbacks from disease and oversupply.

Beef Feed: Holding Steady, With Regional Boosts

Beef feed saw a modest but meaningful gain of 1.8%, reaching 134.1 million mt, up from 131.6 million mt in 2023.

Notable trends included:

Increased feeding in North and Latin America, due to drought-related forage shortages.
Export-driven growth in Europe and Africa.
Ongoing declines in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, linked to price volatility and herd contraction.

Pig Feed: Weighed Down by Cost and Disease

Swine feed production dipped 0.6%, falling to 369.3 million mt globally.

Challenges continue in:

Asia-Pacific and Africa, still struggling with African Swine Fever (ASF) recovery.
Oceania and the Middle East, due to weak prices and structural shifts in pork production.

Despite pockets of growth in Europe, North America, and Latin America, producer confidence remains shaky, with many waiting for improved cost-efficiency and better disease control.

Aquafeed: Mixed Signals

Aquaculture feed volumes fell by 1.1%, to 52.97 million mt, revealing sharp contrasts between regions.

Positive growth in Latin America, Africa, and parts of Europe was offset by:

Production drops in Asia-Pacific, still the world’s aquafeed leader, due to disease and climate instability.
North America’s declining shrimp and finfish markets.

Looking Ahead: Resilience in a Changing World

The feed industry in 2024 proved adaptable, capitalizing on recovery momentum in sectors like dairy and poultry, while riding a wave of consumer-driven demand in pet nutrition.

Though some sectors remain under pressure—especially swine and aquaculture—many markets have stabilized, and producers are cautiously expanding again.

With continued investment in sustainability, animal health, and feed efficiency, the industry is well-positioned to meet the evolving demands of global protein supply in 2025 and beyond.

Source: Alltech agri-food-outlook