Source: Ukragroconsult (Ukraine)
The Alltech Agri-Food Outlook 2025 report, which presents findings from the 14th annual Global Feed Production Study, reveals that worldwide feed production rose by 1.2% to reach 1.39 billion tons in 2024, following a plateau in 2023.
Despite facing significant obstacles such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), climate fluctuations, and economic instability, this increase highlights the global agriculture sector’s strength and flexibility, according to Alltech, a prominent figure in animal nutrition and biotechnology.
Data was gathered from 142 countries and 28,235 feed mills for this yearly analysis.
“Alltech’s collaboration with feed associations and official data bodies, combined with feed production and price information collected by its global sales team, allows the study to offer a detailed overview of feed production worldwide,” the company stated. “This information acts as an indicator for the livestock sector, revealing important patterns across species, regional issues, and growth prospects.”
China maintained its position as the leading feed producer with 315 million tons, a 2% decline from the previous year. In contrast, all other nations in the top ten recorded increases in feed production compared to the prior year. These countries are:
- United States: 269.6 million tons, up 0.68%
- Brazil: 86.6 million tons, up 2.43%
- India: 55.2 million tons, up 4.56%
- Mexico: 41.4 million tons, up 1.38%
- Russia: 38.4 million tons, up 8.53%
- Spain: 35.9 million tons, up 1.46%
- Vietnam: 25.8 million tons, up 3.41%
- Turkey: 24.5 million tons, up 4.83%
- Japan: 24.2 million tons, up 0.14%
Nearly 66% of the world’s feed production is contributed by these ten countries.
Looking at regions, Africa and the Middle East experienced the highest growth, with production rising by 5.4% to reach 95.5 million tons. However, Alltech pointed out that this growth comes from a relatively smaller initial production base compared to other regions.
The report stated, “This increase is driven by expanding commercial feed volumes in the poultry, ruminant, and pet sectors.” Nonetheless, it noted that water scarcity and high import costs limit steady growth in poultry and beef production within the Middle East.
Asia-Pacific remains the top feed-producing region, generating 533.1 million tons, although its year-over-year output has slightly declined by nearly 1%. Alltech attributed this drop primarily to unfavorable conditions in China, along with persistent extreme weather, an oversupplied market, and the availability of inexpensive feed substitutes that inhibit production growth.
North America ranks as the second-largest feed producer, with a modest production increase of 0.6% to 290.7 million tons across beef, poultry, and pork sectors. This growth is partially offset by the effects of the HPAI virus impacting laying hens and turkeys, alongside stagnant aquaculture production.
In Europe, a 2.7% rise in feed production to 267.8 million tons was driven by increased feed demand for pigs, beef cattle, and aquaculture species. However, according to Alltech, structural factors such as sustainability regulations and herd size reductions will restrict further growth.
Latin America experienced the second highest annual increase, with production climbing 3.6% to 198.4 million tons. The surge was fueled by robust demand for poultry, pork, and beef, coupled with favorable export market conditions, Alltech reported.
Oceania, the smallest region in feed production, is projected to reach 11 million tons in 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% since 2023.
The 2024 report highlighted that feed production for poultry, beef, and dairy increased, whereas those for pork and aquaculture declined.
Poultry feed production grew for both broilers – up 1.8% to 385.4 million tons – and layers – up 1.4% to 173.3 million tons. Alltech noted that broiler feed continues to dominate among species segments, comprising almost 28% of the global feed volume.
Alltech reported that the broiler sector is gaining an advantage from rising red meat prices by positioning itself as an economical protein source. The increase in meat availability has stimulated demand particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions, while growing incomes have supported expansion in Africa. Despite the ongoing difficulties posed by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) to the poultry industry, broiler feed consumption is expected to experience modest growth throughout the year, propelled by access to broiler meat and export prospects.
Regarding laying hens, Alltech points out that the modest growth rate of 1.4% signals the industry’s hurdles, including avian influenza disruptions and oversupply issues in certain areas.
According to Alltech, disease outbreaks led to North America suffering the sharpest decline in production due to a reduction in flock sizes. Nevertheless, the global output of eggs from laying hens managed to sustain positive growth overall, driven by increased production in the Asia-Pacific market – where eggs are preferred as an affordable protein – and robust demand in Latin America and Africa.
Although HPAI continues to pose risks in several parts of the world, advances in vaccine development coupled with enhanced biosecurity protocols are instrumental in minimizing losses and supporting ongoing growth within the global laying hen industry.
In 2024, worldwide swine feed production fell by 0.6%, totaling 369.2 million tons. Gains in pork production across Europe, Latin America, and North America were offset by declines in Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Oceania regions. These shifts were influenced partly by how effectively producers in each area recovered from African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks. Additionally, export demand helped Europe and Latin America to recoup some of their previous setbacks, Alltech noted.
The survey revealed a divided sentiment among participants regarding the future of swine feed production, which experienced the highest degree of pessimism compared to other feed sectors. Alltech emphasized that effective disease management and the stabilization of feed prices will be essential to fostering growth in the global swine feed industry.
Dairy feed tonnage experienced notable expansion, rising by 3.2% to reach 165.5 million tons, driven by robust consumer demand, favorable milk pricing, and a transition toward more intensive farming methods. In 2024, production increases were recorded across Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, whereas North America’s output held steady.
According to Alltech, “The global dairy industry demonstrates strong resilience and growth potential despite challenges such as disease outbreaks and unpredictable weather patterns. Continued modernization and intensified production, coupled with increased milk yields, are anticipated to fuel further growth; however, reduced farm prices in China may constrain this expansion.”
Beef feed production grew from 131.6 million tons in 2023 to 134.1 million tons last year, marking a 1.8% global increase. Growth was observed in North America, Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Oceania, attributed to heightened demand for export beef amid limited supplies elsewhere.
Alltech pointed out, “Feed shortages in certain areas of North America, Latin America, and Australia have compelled cattle farmers to depend more heavily on commercial feed. Meanwhile, the decline in beef feed output in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions stems from oversupply and falling prices.”
In 2024, global aquaculture feed production declined slightly by 1.1%, falling to 52.9 million tons and continuing the downward trajectory initiated in 2023. Nonetheless, Alltech highlights that this overall decrease conceals considerable regional disparities, with Latin America, Africa, and Europe experiencing growth.
“Severe reductions in Asia-Pacific and North America caused by disease outbreaks, extreme weather, rising costs, and depressed market prices have adversely affected the sector worldwide,” Alltech explained. “Aquaculture is expected to recover gradually, though this rebound will vary by region. The restoration of shrimp and finfish production in the Asia-Pacific area hinges on price stabilization and enhanced biosecurity measures.”
The feed production and pricing data featured in the Alltech Agri-Food Outlook 2025 were gathered during the first quarter of 2025, with support from feed mills, industry stakeholders, and governmental bodies globally.