The 2017 Alltech Global Feed Survey contains more information about the pet food industry than previous years. The survey conducted in 2016 increased the amount of pet food producer data collected, which allowed more information to be captured on the size and scale of the pet food market.
The US pet food market remained number one, while Europe and Asia also showed growth. France’s pet food producer estimates were increased by 1 million tons, although this reflects more accurate data collection rather than a production increase over 2016. The UK, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia and China also experienced growth.
Global animal feed supply
Alltech’s feed survey estimated that international feed tonnage has exceeded 1 billion metric tons for the first time. That’s a 3.7 percent increase over last year and represents 19 percent growth since the inaugural survey in 2012, despite a 7 percent decrease in the number of feed mills.
“This year clearly demonstrates the growing efficiency and consolidation of the feed industry,” said Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer and vice president of corporate accounts for Alltech, in a press release. “Not only has total feed production exceeded 1 billion tons for the first time, but it has done so with fewer facilities, which means greater efficiencies and a decreased environmental footprint.”
The sixth annual survey covered 141 countries and more than 30,000 feed mills. The results show that US and China are the top two countries, producing one-third of all animal feed. Growth came predominantly from the beef, pig and aquaculture feed sectors, as well as several African, Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
The Alltech Global Feed Survey assessed compound feed production and prices through information collected by Alltech’s global sales team and in partnership with local feed associations.