EU Compound Feed Production Market Forecast for 2025
FEFAC market experts forecast continued stability in the EU compound feed production market for 2025. Total industrial compound feed production in the EU27 is expected to reach 146.1 million tonnes, representing a slight decrease of -0.34% compared with 2024.
This marginal change reflects relative stability across most livestock production sectors, despite growing market uncertainty and varied national market trends. In FEFAC’s press release of 26 May 2025, it was highlighted that the EU compound feed sector remains resilient in the face of ongoing economic, geopolitical, regulatory, environmental and animal disease challenges.
EU cattle feed production in 2025 is estimated to fall by 1.4%
In 2025, EU cattle feed production is forecast at 41.285 million tonnes, a decrease of 1.4% compared with 2024. Among the main producing countries, Germany is expected to see a modest increase (+1.2%), while the Netherlands projects a significant decrease of -5.0%, mainly due to regulatory policies. Spain, the largest cattle feed producer, anticipates a decrease of -3.6%. Poland, by contrast, is forecast to increase slightly by +3.9%. Most other Member States anticipate stable or slightly reduced production levels, reflecting the general downward trend in the sector driven by environmental policies and animal diseases, such as the recent highly infectious outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
Pig feed production will remain virtually unchanged (-0.8%)
EU pig feed production is expected to reach 46.960 million tonnes in 2025, a marginal decrease of -0.8%. German production is falling by -3.0%, while the Netherlands forecasts a sharp decline of -10%. Spain, the largest producer, is set for a 3.0% increase to 13.2 million tonnes. Portugal will increase by +4.3% and Poland is expected to grow by +2.7%. Ireland is projected to increase by +2.0%, while Hungary will likely see a decrease of -6.4% due to animal disease challenges, particularly African Swine Fever (ASF). The overall picture is one of stability, with some countries experiencing growth (Slovenia +0.6% and Bulgaria +9%) while others face continued production decline (Denmark -1.5%) due to structural changes and ongoing disease pressures.
Poultry feed production will grow by 0.9% in the EU and a remarkable 5.8% in Spain
The poultry feed sector is expected to grow further in 2025, with production forecast to increase by +0.9% to 50.368 million tonnes. Spain and Portugal are set for robust increases of +5.8% and +3.8% respectively. Poland, the largest poultry feed producer, is forecast to increase by +2.3% to 7.44 million tonnes. Ireland and several other Member States (Austria, Slovenia) are expected to maintain stable production levels, with only minor variations.
2025 Forecast Summary
| Category | EU Forecast (million tonnes) | Year-on-year change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Cattle | 41.2 | -1.4 |
| Pigs | 46.9 | -0.8 |
| Poultry | 50.3 | +1.0 |
| Total | 146.1 | -0.3 |
Notes to the editor:
- FEFAC, the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation, represents 22 national associations in EU Member States, as well as associate members in the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.
- The European compound feed industry employs more than 100,000 people across approximately 3,200 production sites, often located in rural areas that offer limited employment opportunities.
- Farm and companion animals in the EU27 consume an estimated 644 million tonnes of feed per year, of which approximately 23% is produced by compound feed manufacturers. The turnover of the European compound feed industry is estimated at 50 billion euros.
- The 2025 forecast is subject to change. Updated data will be collected in autumn 2025.
For further information:
-. «Final Feed and Food Report 2024» (published by FEFAC in April 2025, although referring to the 2023 financial year).
-. “EU Compound Feed Production Market Forecast for 2025″, Brussels, 26 May (FEFAC)
-. European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC)