Market Trends of Italy Feed Additives Industry
Growing Demand for Animal Protein Stimulates Feed Additives Market
Animal food products, including meat, eggs, and milk, play a crucial role in meeting global nutrition targets, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). These products provide high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, minerals (iron, calcium, zinc, selenium), vitamins (B12), and compounds like carnitine, creatine, and taurine, which support important health and developmental functions in the region. According to the Italy National Institute of Statistics, in 2023, Sicily recorded the highest beef consumption among Italian regions, with 70.3% of individuals consuming it weekly, while Trentino-South Tyrol reported the lowest at 44.9%. For pork consumption, Molise led with 56.6% of individuals consuming it weekly, while Liguria reported 30.7%.
The consumption patterns of different meat types in Italy showed distinct variations across age groups. According to the Italy National Institute of Statistics, in 2023, beef consumption was higher among younger populations, with 66.7% of individuals aged 18-19 consuming beef compared to 58.4% among those aged 75 and above. Fish consumption displayed an opposite trend, with the lowest consumption rate of 52.8% among 18-19 year-olds, while those aged 65-74 recorded the highest consumption at 63.7%. As one of the major milk producers in the European Union, Italy produced over 0.7 million metric tons of milk in 2023, as reported by Eurostat. This substantial milk production supports the demand for milk protein ingredients used in dairy desserts, nutritional beverages, ice cream, yogurt, and spreads.
The demand for feed additives in the country increased due to the need for higher nutritional standards in livestock feed to address animal health concerns. Additionally, increased consumer spending and health consciousness contributed to market growth. The expansion of livestock mass production and demand for quality meat further drove the adoption of feed additives.
Poultry Leads the Market
The poultry sector constitutes a significant consumer of feed additives in Italy, driven by an increasing population and rising demand for poultry meat. Poultry producers implement feed additives to optimize feed conversion ratios and enhance animal growth rates. According to Eurostat, Italy recorded 569 million poultry slaughters for meat production in 2022, which increased to over 601 million in 2023. This growth in poultry production indicates continued expansion of the feed additives segment in Italy. Feed additives, particularly probiotics like Pediococcus pentosaceus, Bifidobacterium spp, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus acidophilus, are extensively used in broiler production. These additives improve broiler performance by increasing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the ileum and cecum, which helps maintain intestinal flora balance.
The increasing prevalence of diseases like coccidiosis and avian influenza has intensified the demand for feed additives that aid in infection prevention. Feed additives including probiotics, prebiotics, and organic acids improve gut health and immune system function, enhancing disease resistance in birds. According to the European Commission, Italy reported 23 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5 between January 1, 2022, and April 30, 2022. These outbreaks affected multiple poultry species, including chickens, laying hens, turkeys, ducks, and Guinea fowls, resulting in significant losses in hatching eggs, table eggs, and live animal production in restricted movement areas.
Similarly, in 2023, Italy reported another outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu at a farm in Sant' Urbano, Veneto region, which resulted in the death of 10 poultry birds, as confirmed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). These disease outbreaks have increased the importance of immune system enhancement in poultry, driving the use of feed additives such as probiotics, prebiotics, and essential oils. The antimicrobial properties of organic acids and essential oils are particularly valuable in preventing virus transmission, contributing to market growth.
