 "Global feed output rises 1.5% in 2015: Survey")
Global feed (bird and animal) output rose by a marginal 1.5 per cent in 2015 on a rapid growth in its tonnage from the poultry sector, showed the "Global Feed Survey 2016" conducted by Alltech, Kentucky based producer algae and processor of yeast and organic trace minerals.
The Survey estimates seed output at 995.5 million tonnes which indicates 14 per cent increase since Alltech's previous survey in 2011. The analysis of five-year trends showed growth predominantly from the pig, poultry and aqua feed sectors and intensification of production in the African, Middle Eastern, Latin American and European regions.
"The feed industry is an excellent barometer of economic health and, based on our five years of data, predicts economic growth more accurately than many other indices," said Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer of Alltech, who headed up the initiative to conduct the survey.
The Global Feed Survey assesses the compound feed production from more than 130 countries through information obtained in partnership with local feed associations and Alltech's sales team, who visit more than 32,000 feed mills annually.
The 2016 survey showed poultry feed has the market share and is growing faster than any other species, with 46 percent of total global feed manufactured specifically for broilers, egg layers, turkeys, duck and other fowl. This year's survey also confirmed that corn and soybean meal are the standard feed ingredients globally.
The top 10 feed producers in the world remained the same: China, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, India, Spain, Russia, Germany, Japan and France. As a region, Europe saw the most growth, up 13 million tonnes over last year, with the largest contributions coming from Russia, Turkey, Belarus and Poland.
Down two percent from last year, China still holds the title of leading feed producer in Alltech's annual Feed Survey with 179.930 million tons manufactured throughout the country's 8,550 feed mills. However, this is the third year the world's leader has reported a consolidation of its feed tonnage production into a smaller number of feed mills.
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The number of feed mills in the United States and Brazil, the second and third largest markets, also declined. The US produced 172.730 million tonnes from 6,012 feed mills (6,718 mills in 2014) and Brazil manufactured 68.7 million tonnes from 1,556 feed mills (1,698 mills in 2014).
According to Connolly, the consolidation of feed production into fewer mills is driven by many factors. "The Chinese, in particular, see a benefit of having fewer feed mills-lower cost, more efficient and easier to control from the perspective of traceability and food safety," Connolly said.
Meanwhile, Europe's 5,545 feed mills, with Russia's contributions, augmented their production by 22 per cent in 2015 compared to the previous year. The Middle East demonstrated a 17 per cent increase with 21.438 million tonnes from the region's 719 mills. Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America were up 5, 4 and 3 per cent respectively while North America remained flat.
Pig feed production was down 2 per cent, with 253.53 million tonnes. Aqua, with 35.47 million tonnes, is down 5 per cent this year; although outside of China this figure seems to relate to more accurate data collection and not a specific decline, especially given that aqua has been a grower, up 19 per cent overall in the past five years. Equine feed, at 8.22 million tonnes, declined 2 per cent compared to 2014.
Poultry feed production continues to surge with a 5 per cent increase, now at a total 463.69 million tonnes. Ruminant feed was also positive with 201.36 million tonnes, a 3 per cent increase. Pets are up 4 per cent at 22.59 million tonnes.
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