Feed Planet 86 - May 2026

FEED PLANET • MAY - MAYIS 2026 72 73 ARTICLE • MAKALE ARTICLE • MAKALE fewer trade barriers than red meat. In the Middle East and Africa, broiler feed grew as producers leveraged periods of lower ingredient prices to meet rising consumer demand. The dairy and beef sectors followed a different trajec- tory, defined by productivity gains rather than herd expan- sion. India led the global dairy market with a 6.8 percent increase in feed tonnage, driven by government incenti- ves and improved genetics. Meanwhile, in North America and Europe, the focus has shifted toward automation and precision nutrition. In the red meat sectors, a significant paradox appeared. While cattle inventories in North Ameri- ca and Europe faced contraction, beef feed tonnage grew slightly by 0.5 percent. This was achieved through longer days on feed and record finishing weights. A similar trend was observed in the swine sector, where secondary fatte- ning practices in China supported a 3 percent increase in global production. TRADE ROUTES FACE RECKONING UNDER BIOLOGICAL THREATS The defining shift of 2025 was the move from reactive disease management toward strategic trade resilience. As major animal diseases like avian influenza and African swi- ne fever become endemic challenges, the industry has pi- voted toward regional zoning agreements to keep borders open. A primary example is the Canada and Philippines Zoning Agreement, which replaces blanket national bans with the recognition of disease-free zones. This model allows the global trade of protein to continue even when specific regions face biological threats, protecting billion- dollar export flows from total disruption. This shift toward resilience is also visib- le in global supply chains as the industry moves away from just-in-time logistics. Geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East and the Red Sea, have for- ced millers to adopt a just-in-case appro- ach. This involves carrying higher buffer inventories to protect against stock-outs and rising freight costs. In regions like Latin America, where export reliance is high, the ability to navigate fractured tra- de routes has become a prerequisite for maintaining market share. Furthermore, in 2026, sustainability transitions from a voluntary initiative to a mandatory legal requirement, with frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Direc- tive in the EU forcing companies to re- port Scope 3 emissions across the entire supply chain. AQUACULTURE AND PET FOOD PIVOT TOWARD TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE While traditional livestock sectors navi- gated structural changes, the specialized feed categories of aquaculture and pet food provided the industry’s most con- sistent growth signals. Aquaculture feed production rose by 4.7 percent globally, reaching 55.470 million mt. This expansi- on was driven by a global surge in sea- food demand and a move toward more intensive, formulated feeding programs in Southeast Asia and Latin America. For Türkiye, which has established itself as a Mediterranean powerhouse in sea bass and sea bream, this global trend rein- forces the strategic importance of high- performance extrusion technologies and functional feed additives. The pet food sector also maintained its upward trajectory, growing 2.4 percent to Doğu ve Afrika’da broyler yemi, üreticilerin artan tüketici ta- lebini karşılamak için düşük içerik fiyatlarından yararlandığı dönemlerde büyüme yakaladı. Süt ve besi sektörleri, sürü büyümesinden ziyade verim- lilik artışlarıyla tanımlanan farklı bir rota izledi. Hindistan, hükümet teşvikleri ve iyileştirilmiş genetiğin etkisiyle yem tonajında %6,8’lik bir artış kaydederek küresel süt pazarı- na liderlik etti. Bu sırada Kuzey Amerika ve Avrupa’da odak noktası otomasyon ve hassas beslemeye kaydı. Kırmızı et sektörlerinde ise dikkat çekici bir paradoks ortaya çıktı. Ku- zey Amerika ve Avrupa’daki sığır envanteri daralırken, besi yemi tonajı %0,5 oranında hafif bir artış gösterdi. Bu durum, hayvanların yemde kalma sürelerinin uzatılması ve rekor ke- sim ağırlıklarıyla sağlandı. Benzer bir eğilim, Çin’deki ikincil besi uygulamalarının %3’lük bir küresel üretim artışını des- teklediği domuz sektöründe de gözlendi. TİCARET ROTALARI BİYOLOJİK RİSKLERLE SARSILIYOR 2025’in tanımlayıcı değişimi, reaktif hastalık yönetimin- den stratejik ticaret dayanıklılığına geçiş oldu. Kuş gribi ve Afrika domuz vebası (ASF) gibi büyük hayvan hastalıkları endemik zorluklar haline geldikçe, sektör sınırları açık tut- mak için ‘bölgeleme’ (zoning) anlaşmalarına yöneldi. Bunun Top 10 Countries A Closer Look at the Top Feed-Producing Countries The top 10 countries in terms of feed tonnage remained unchanged between 2024 and 2025. Altogether, the top 10 countries accounted for 65.2% of the world’s feed production in 2025 (versus 65.5% in 2024), and they can be viewed as an indicator of overall trends in agriculture. Around 47.7% of the total global feed tonnage came from the top three countries: China, the U.S. and Brazil. Top countries 2025 (million mt) 2024 rev. (million mt) Growth (in million mt) Growth (%) China 330.063 315.030 15.033 4.8% U.S. 267.383 269.620 (2.238) -0.8% Brazil 89.904 87.425 2.479 2.8% India 57.729 55.243 2.486 4.5% Mexico 41.883 41.401 0.482 1.2% Russia 38.347 37.930 0.417 1.1% Spain 37.507 38.812 (1.305) -3.4% Vietnam 26.524 25.850 0.674 2.6% Türkiye 25.480 24.550 0.930 3.8% Japan 24.006 24.314 (0.307) -1.3% China remained the world’s top feed- producing country in 2025, reaching 330.063 million mt, for a 4.8% increase year over year. This growth reflects a continued structural shift toward scale, commercialization and efficiency, as well as a greater emphasis on high-efficiency protein sectors, specialized ruminant production and companion-animal nutrition. No. 1: China Some of the reported increase in China’s feed tonnage reflects the transition from on-farm corn and concentrates to industrial complete feed, which allowed previously uncounted volumes to be incorporated into official statistics. Pig feed tonnage rose by 7.2% in China, supported by a breeding sow herd operating at 103.5% of the normal retention levels, as well as a 2.4% increase in slaughter volume and a market-driven “secondary fattening” trend, with hogs being fed to heavier weights. This year’s global feed survey estimated that global feed tonnage increased by 40.136 million mt in 2025, growing by 2.9% for a total of approximately 1.440 billion mt. Africa and the Middle East (102.549 million mt): This region experienced a year of divergence in 2025. While Africa expanded strongly (+11.5%) on commercialization and rising compound feed penetration, the Middle East entered a structural plateau (+1.1%), balancing disease pressure and regulatory or resource constraints. Across both sub-regions, three forces shaped performance: protein affordability, input vulner bility driven by grain prices and currency volatility, and continued disease disruptions — particularly foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza. Asia (559.297 million mt): Asia re ained the global center of feed production in 2025, with growth shaped by industrialization and price-conscious consumers increasing the demand for poultry and aquaculture. Continued shifts from on- farm mixing to commercial feed, especially in China, supported a record output, while consumer price sensitivity reinforced momentum in the poultry and aquaculture sectors. Southeast Asia entered a rebuild and export cycle, with the recovery of the sow herd lifting pork output and poultry also remaining strong, although disease remains a consistent challenge. Europe (274.061 million mt): Europe’s feed sector in 2025 was differentiated yet broadly resilient. Lower raw material prices, supported by large global harvests of soybeans, rapeseed, wheat and maize, improved margins and stimulated production in several key markets. Despite ongoing disease pressure and regulatory constraints, the region stabilized overall. Modest gains in dairy and broilers offset pressure in other segments, while evolving trade frameworks and sustainability expectations continue to reshape production strategies across the region. Latin America (204.446 million mt): In 2025, Latin America solidified its position as the world’s premier “protein basket”. Compound feed demand expanded 2.8% year over year, rising by 5.536 million mt, supported by strong export markets and lower grain prices. Growth was broad-based, particularly in poultry, pork and aquaculture, although localized disruptions in parts of the Andean and Caribbean sub-regions tempered overall expansion. North America (288.620 million mt): In 2025, North American feed tonnage contracted modestly (by 0.7%), primarily tied to a historically tight cattle cycle and declining beef herd dynamics. The region still saw some selective, species-driven momentum, with growth concentrated in broilers and dairy. Stabilization also emerged in pork feed, and the egg and turkey sectors remained in recovery following health-related disruptions. Consolidation among feed mills, operational efficiency gains, sustainability pressures and formulation optimization continue to reshape the industry across the region. Oceania (11.104 million mt): Oceania showed broad-based gains in 2025, supported by population growth, resilient livestock sectors and strong export demand. Absolute increases were at their strongest in the broiler, layer, beef and pig sectors. High feedlot numbers and elevated cattle inventories sustained record beef production, particularly in Australia (+11%), with moderate growth in New Zealand (+1.6%). Recovery in layer feeds following an outbreak of avian influenza and steady demand for chicken and pork contributed to a balanced regional expansion. Region 2025 feed tonnage (million mt) 2024 feed tonnage (million mt) Growth (million mt) Growth (%) Africa 64.246 57.618 6.628 11.5% Asia 559.297 532.816 26.481 5.0% Europe 274.061 271.230 2.831 1.0% Latin America 204.446 198.910 5.536 2.8% Middle East 38.303 37.902 0.400 1.1% North America 288.620 290.724 (2.103) -0.7% Oceania 11.104 10.740 0.364 3.4% Gra d T tal 1,440.077 1,399.941 40.136 2.9% Feed tonnage by region Agri-Food Outlook | 2026 Broilers A closer look Africa and the Middle East: Africa saw its broiler feed surge 12.7% to 20.599 million mt, adding over 2.3 million mt. Egypt was a standout, with broiler feed rising 21.9% despite import and logistics disruptions, as producers leveraged periods of lower feed prices. In the Middle East, broiler feed grew 2.7% to 13.586 million mt, with Saudi Arabia up 5%, driven by government-led Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives and capacity expansions. 7 Asia: Broilers remained the regional growth champion in Asia, with feed up 5.4%, to 169.768 million mt. China increased 3.5%, to 100.98 million mt. In South Asia, Nepal (+28.5%) and Sri Lanka (+14.9%) benefited from modernized poultry systems. Indonesia surged 22.1%, to 8.7 million mt, supported by a US$1-billion investment in feed production by the country’s Ministry of Agriculture. Bangladesh and Vietnam also saw strong growth. Europe: Broiler feed tonnage rose 0.9% in Europe, reaching 57.041 million mt. Strong domestic demand for affordable chicken, high beef prices and limited disease impacts supported the sector’s growth. Chicken production was up, even as several markets were challenged by avian influenza outbreaks, including in Hungary, Poland, the U.K. and Scotland. Global broiler feed volumes increased approximately 3.7%, to 400.379 million mt, in 2025. Improved margins, supported by lower feed ingredient prices, encouraged producers to expand their output across most regions. This growth occurred despite recurring outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in several markets, highlighting the sector’s resilience and strong underlying demand. Expansion was driven primarily by China and Brazil, where Region 2025 (million mt) 2024 rev. (million mt) Growth (million mt) Growth (%) Africa 20.599 18.274 2.325 12.7% Asia 169.768 161.093 8.675 5.4% Europe 57.041 56.553 0.489 0.9% Latin America 74.766 73.380 1.386 1.9% Middle East 13.586 13.225 0.361 2.7% North America 60.358 59.573 0.784 1.3% Oceania 4.261 4.169 0.092 2.2% Grand Total 400.379 386.267 14.112 3.7% Broiler feed production competitive feed costs and sustained consumer demand for affordable animal protein continue to support a higher output. The widening gap in the growth of the chicken and red meat trades reflects a structural shift in global protein markets. Chicken’s pricing advantage, along with fewer disease-related trade barriers, has enabled major exporters to capture incremental demand across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. for the region’s strongest increase among all major species in 2025. 60.4 million mt — Broiler feed grew 1.3% in North America to 7 SPA Staff. (2025). Environment Minister reveals plan to invest SR 17 billion in poultry production sector until 2025. Saudi Press Agency. https://www.spa.gov. sa/2371754 . Agri-Food Outlook | 2026 A closer look Africa and the Middle East: Africa posted strong growth of 13.5% — reflecting intensification and commercialization rather than herd expansion. In South Africa, improved economic conditions and lower raw material costs supported feed demand, although foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains a risk. Across Eastern and Southern Africa, higher compound feed usage per cow and the gradual formalization of supply chains lifted total volumes. The Middle East contracted by 1.4% (for a decline of 101,000 Dairy In 2025, global dairy feed tonnage increased 2.6% to a total of 170.294 million mt of feed. Established export regions, such as Europe and Oceania, faced structural limits to expansion, including weather variability, labor shortages, water constraints and tightening regulatory frameworks. In contrast, parts of Asia and Africa continued to gain momentum, supported by commercialization and rising demand. Farm-level margins improved in many regions due to elevated milk prices and easing input costs. Automation is increasingly offsetting workforce shortages in advanced dairy economies , while sustainability discussions are broadening beyond environmental metrics to include long- term economic viability. Region 2025 (million mt) 2024 rev. (million mt) Growth (million mt) Growth (%) Africa 10.043 8.845 1.197 13.5% Asia 31.318 29.887 1.431 4.8% Europe 48.220 47.009 1.211 2.6% Latin America 23.221 23.049 0.172 0.7% Middle East 7.074 7.175 (0.101) -1.4% North America 48.760 48.321 0.438 0.9% Oceania 1.659 1.638 0.021 1.3% Grand Total 170.294 165.924 4.370 2.6% Dairy feed production mt). Iran also declined, by 2.3%, as weakening domestic demand curbed production. The UAE and Saudi Arabia faced disruptions from FMD, as well as ongoing structural constraints. Water scarcity, heat stress and feed economics are creating a structural ceiling on production across the region, leading to rationalization rather than expansion in several markets. Asia: Regional dairy feed tonnage reached 31.318 million mt in Asia, for an increase of 4.8% year over year. Performance diverged sharply, however, between South Asia’s commercializing systems and East Asia’s contracting herds. India led the growth at 6.8%, supported by government India led Asia with 6.8% Table 1: Global leaders in feed production: Top 10 countries Tablo 1: Kü sel yem üretimini liderleri: İlk 10 ülke Table 2: Feed Tonnage by Region Tablo 2: Böl lere Göre Yem Tonajı Table 3: Broiler Feed Production Tablo 3: Broyl r Yemi Üretimi Table 4: Dairy Feed Production Tablo 4: Süt Yemi Üretimi Agri-Food Outlook | 2026 2025 Feed Tonnage by Regio This year’s global feed survey estimated that global feed expectations continue to reshape production strategies across