China’s feed production rises 2.2% as corn and soybean meal shares decline

China’s industrial feed production increased by 2.2% year over year in September 2026 to 32.05 mln tons. Output was also 2.6% higher than in August. According to China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the China Feed Industry Association, total feed production reached 261.67 mln tons in January–September, up 3.5% compared with the same period in 2025.

Complete compound feeds accounted for the largest share of production, with September output rising by 2.6% year over year to 29.96 mln tons. Meanwhile, concentrated feed production declined by 4.3% to 1.19 mln tons, while premix output fell by 6.6% to 680 thsd tons. During the first nine months of 2026, complete compound feed production increased by 3.9% to 245.51 mln tons, while output of concentrated feeds and premixes decreased by 5.5% and 4.4%, respectively.

Despite growing production volumes, Chinese feed manufacturers continue to reduce the use of corn and soybean meal in feed formulations. In September, corn accounted for 30.2% of complete compound feed formulations, down 3.4 percentage points from a year earlier. Meanwhile, the share of soybean meal in complete and concentrated feeds declined by 1.4 percentage points to 12.9%. This trend indicates further changes in the composition of feed raw materials used in China.

Prices for finished compound feeds remained relatively stable. The weighted average ex-factory price of complete feeds stood at 3.23 yuan/kg in September, down 0.1% from August and 1% from a year earlier. Feed for fattening pigs averaged 3.06 yuan/kg, laying hen feed cost 3.46 yuan/kg, and feed for adult carp averaged 3.30 yuan/kg. The average price of concentrated feeds reached 4.89 yuan/kg.

Changes in feed formulations are taking place amid rising overall production volumes and relatively stable prices for finished products. The declining shares of corn and soybean meal could affect the structure of China’s domestic demand for grain and oilseed feedstocks. Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs continues to improve regulation of the feed industry, including launching a public consultation on a draft mandatory national standard for feed-grade inositol, with comments accepted until December 21, 2026.

Tags: China, corn, soybean meal, compound feed