Market Trends of Europe Feed Testing Industry
Increased Compound Feed Production
- In Europe, economic uncertainties, regulatory shifts, and policies focused on environmental and animal welfare are shaping feed production. These factors highlight the continent's increasing focus on feed quality and safety. Data from The European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC) indicates that industrial compound feed production in the EU27 is set to hit 147 million metric tons in 2024.
- In Europe, agricultural commodities such as maize, wheat, and barley frequently harbor mycotoxins, presenting a major challenge to feed safety. These mycotoxins, produced by molds under specific temperature and humidity conditions, can contaminate feed during both storage and transportation. The European Union has set stringent regulations to safeguard animal health, establishing maximum permissible levels for various mycotoxins in animal feed. Consequently, this regulatory framework mandates regular testing of both feed ingredients and finished products to ensure adherence to safety standards.
- The European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC) forecasts a 1.6% increase in poultry feed production for 2024, marking a recovery from the challenges of 2023. This uptick is attributed to a resurgence in poultry production in several key member states. Countries like France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, having successfully navigated the 2023 Avian Influenza (AI) challenges, are poised to lead this growth. However, with increasing concerns over imported poultry meat and a shift from organic to conventional production, there's a heightened opportunity to strengthen local feed and meat production. Alltech Feed Survey reported Europe's poultry production at 86.93 million metric tons in 2023. This shifting landscape is poised to benefit the feed testing market.
France Dominates the European Feed Testing Market
- France's feed testing market is witnessing robust growth, fueled by several pivotal factors. A primary driver is the imperative to fine-tune animal diets, ensuring optimal health, longevity, and productivity. Yearly fluctuations in the nutritional value of feed and forage—often stemming from local growing conditions or crop variability—underscore the need for thorough feed testing. Such evaluations guarantee uniformity in livestock feed standards. As per the Alltech Feed Survey, France produced 20.1 million metric tons of compound feed in 2023.
- Animal feed plays a pivotal role in contemporary agriculture, ensuring livestock receive the essential nutrients for peak health and productivity. Manufacturing processes prioritize key nutritional and quality control metrics, such as fat content in animal feed. This heightened awareness among livestock farmers and feed producers regarding the significance of balanced nutrition propels the demand for feed testing services in France.
- Recognizing the growing emphasis on fiber in animal diets, feed manufacturers are channeling investments into feed testing services. This not only aids in precise fiber content measurement and adjustment but also ensures adherence to nutritional standards and regulations. The heightened focus on fiber content stands as a significant catalyst for the expansion of the feed testing market, offering vital insights to enhance feed quality, bolster animal health, and elevate overall farm productivity.