Low Rhine and Danube water levels force Switzerland to tap feed meal reserves

Switzerland has started drawing on mandatory reserves of protein feed due to mounting supply pressure. The main reason is logistics disruption on the Rhine and Danube, where low water levels have sharply reduced river transport capacity.

Since September 1, the country has already withdrawn 9.5% of its mandatory feed reserves. A separate government measure taking effect on October 15 will allow further releases if needed to cover potential supply shortages.

Mandatory protein feed reserves are designed to cover around two months of consumption in the event of a complete halt in imports. Imports into Switzerland have not stopped entirely, however, but have merely declined, meaning the reserves could last longer than the standard coverage period.

The main protein feed components include soybean meal, rapeseed meal and sunflower meal. Switzerland is almost entirely dependent on imports for soybean meal, making the livestock sector particularly vulnerable to logistics disruptions.

Low water levels are also complicating operations at oilseed crushing plants by restricting both deliveries of oilseeds and shipments of protein meals. Part of the cargo is being shifted to rail and road, but strong demand for alternative transport capacity is creating additional delays and supply risks.

Tags: Rhine, feed meal, Switzerland, compound feed, water levels, Danube