LEXINGTON, KY. — Global feed production rebounded in 2024 after a stagnant 2023, increasing by 1.2% to 1.39 billion tonnes, according to Alltech’s 2025 Agri-Food Outlook, a report that includes the results of the company’s 14th annual global feed production survey.
This growth — which was achieved despite challenges that included highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), climate fluctuations and economic uncertainty — underscores the resilience and adaptability of the international agriculture industry, Alltech, a global leader in animal nutrition and biotechnology, noted in the report.
The annual survey collected data from 142 countries and 28,235 feed mills.
“By analyzing compound feed production and prices — collected by Alltech’s global sales team and in partnership with feed associations and official data-collecting organizations — the survey provides a comprehensive snapshot of global feed production,” Alltech said. “These insights serve as a barometer for the overall livestock industry, highlighting key trends across species, regional challenges and opportunities for growth.”
China was once again the top feed producer at 315 million tonnes, down 2% from the previous year. All the other top 10 countries increased feed production year on year. They include:
- United States (269.6 million tonnes; up 0.68%)
- Brazil (86.6 million tonnes; up 2.43%)
- India (55.2 million tonnes; up 4.56%)
- Mexico (41.4 million tonnes; up 1.38%)
- Russia (38.4 million tonnes; up 8.53%)
- Spain (35.9 million tonnes; up 1.46%)
- Vietnam (25.8 million tonnes; up 3.41%)
- Türkiye (24.5 million tonnes; up 4.83%)
- Japan (24.2 million tonnes; up 0.14%)
These 10 countries are responsible for nearly 66% of the world’s feed production.
On a regional basis, Africa and the Middle East posted the biggest growth, with a 5.4% increase in output to 95.5 million tonnes, but Alltech noted that it was starting from a smaller base than other regions.
“This growth reflects expanding commercial feeds in the poultry, ruminant and pet sectors,” it said. “Stable growth in poultry and beef in the Middle East, however, has been tempered by water scarcity and import costs.”
The Asia-Pacific region remains the largest feed producer at 533.1 million tonnes, but its year-on-year output was down nearly a percentage point. The decrease, Alltech said, largely was due to headwinds in China as well as ongoing weather extremes, oversupply and cheap feed alternatives that hampered expansion.
North America, the second largest feed producing region, saw a modest increase (0.6%, 290.7 million tonnes) across beef, poultry and pork that was offset by the impacts of HPAI (in layers and turkeys) and stagnant aquaculture production.
Rebounds in pig, beef and aquaculture feed led to a 2.7% increase in Europe’s total feed production (267.8 million tonnes) but Alltech said structural constraints, including sustainability policies and diminishing herds, will temper future expansion.
Posting the second biggest year-on-year increase was Latin America, where output jumped by 3.6% to 198.4 million tonnes.
“This region experienced solid gains driven by robust demand for poultry, pork and beef, as well as favorable export markets,” Alltech said.
By far the smallest feed-producing region, Oceania’s output in 2024 reached 11 million tonnes, an increase of 2.5% compared to 2023.
Pet food production
According to the report, pet food production was 37.69 million tonnes in 2024, an increase of 1.64 million tonnes (4.5%) from 2023, the largest increase of all feed sectors.
“Pet feed tonnage soared 4.5% globally, fueled by continued trends toward premiumization (including functional diets and the ‘humanization’ of pets), expanded pet ownership and continued innovation in the sector’s product offerings,” Alltech shared. “While the increase in pet food production appears to have slowed somewhat last year, it still remains one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world.”
By region, Europe remains the largest producer, producing 11.73 million tonnes of pet food in 2024, a 1.6% increase from 2023. North America followed close behind at 11.44 million tonnes, a 2.3% increase year-over-year.
Latin America produced 8.36 million tonnes of pet food in 2024, a 2.8% increase year-over-year. Asia-Pacific produced 4.16 million tonnes, an 11% increase year-over-year. Africa produced 1.32 million tonnes, a whopping 60.3% increase year-over-year, making it the region with the highest growth. Oceania produced 580,000 tonnes, a 7.4% increase year-over-year, and the Middle East produced 107,000 tonnes, a 0.9% increase year-over-year.
According to Alltech, 60% of survey respondents remain optimistic about the pet food industry’s future.
“Emerging economies in Africa, Asia and Latin America will continue to drive volume growth as rising disposable incomes and evolving cultural attitudes enhance pet adoption,” the company shared. “Trends toward premiumization are also likely to deepen, with an increasing interest in functional and health-focused formulations — especially those that address issues like weight management, joint care and digestive health.”
Read more production insights from Alltech’s 2025 Agri-Food Outlook.
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