Feed production reached 57.7 million tonnes in Africa in 2024, 7.2% higher than a year earlier and the world's largest year-on-year global growth according to the latest "Agri-Food Outlook" report from the US company Alltech.
This is a new record for African industry, which in 2023 posted the second highest growth in the world (1.94%) behind Oceania, after a decline in 2022. This also contrasts with a more modest increase of 1.2% globally. In detail, the volume of feed for broilers increased by 2.6% to 17.6 million tonnes in a sector that has recovered after the outbreaks of avian influenza in 2023. In the laying hen segment, the report reveals that feed stocks increased by 1.7% to 8.47 million tonnes thanks to lower raw material costs and higher egg consumption.
While these main segments of poultry farming accounted for a total of 45% of African supply, it is in the livestock sector that the strongest growth in 2024 should be sought. And for good reason, the production of feed for cattle grew by 32.2% (world record) to 6.7 million tons, while the volume for dairy cows improved by 25.7% to 8.2 million tons over the past year.
To explain this dynamism, Alltech highlights the knock-on effect of the increase in urban demand and the improvement of cold chain logistics. In addition, according to the company, there is a gradual change in production systems.
Source: Ecofin Agency
