Compound feed production in the EU-27 is expected to reach 146.1 million tonnes in 2025, marking a slight decrease of 0.34% compared to 2024, according to the European Feed Manufacturers Federation (FEFAC).
This marginal change reflects relative stability across most animal production sectors, despite increasing market uncertainty and varied national market trends, FEFAC said in a report released on May 26.
“The EU compound feed sector remains resilient in the face of continuing economic, geopolitical, regulatory, environmental, and animal disease-related challenges,” FEFAC said.
In 2025, EU cattle feed production is forecast at 41.28 million tonnes, a decrease of 1.4% compared to 2024. Among the major producing countries, Germany is expected to see a modest increase of 1.2%, while the Netherlands is projected to experience a significant decline of 5%, mainly due to regulatory policies. Spain, the largest cattle feed producer, anticipates a decrease of 3.6%. Poland, in contrast, is forecast to increase by 3.9%.
Most other EU-27 members anticipate either stable or slightly reduced production levels, reflecting the overall downward trend in the sector due to environmental policies and animal deaths, some of which are related to the recent outbreaks of highly infectious foot-and-mouth disease, FEFAC said.
Pig feed production in the EU-27 is expected to reach 46.96 million tonnes in 2025, a marginal decrease of 0.8%. German production is seen falling 3% while the Netherlands is forecast to see a sharp decline of 10%. Spain, the largest producer, is set for a 3% increase to 13.2 million tonnes. Portugal output will rise by 4.3% and Poland is expected to grow by 2.7%. Ireland is projected to increase by 2%, while Hungary likely will see a decrease of 6.4% due to animal disease challenges, mostly from African swine fever, FEFAC said.
“The overall picture is one of stability, with some countries experiencing growth (Slovenia 0.6% and Bulgaria 9%) while others facing continued decline of production (Denmark 1.5%) due to structural changes and ongoing disease pressures,” FEFAC said.
The report noted that the poultry feed sector is expected to grow in 2025, with production forecast to increase by 0.9% to 50.36 million tonnes. Spain and Portugal are set for a robust increase of 5.8% and 3.8%, respectively. Poland, the largest poultry feed producer, is forecast to increase by 2.3% to 7.44 million tonnes.
Ireland and several other Member States (Austria, Slovenia) are expected to maintain stable production levels, with only minor variations, FEFAC said.
