In Europe, the production of feed for pigs is reduced

According to preliminary data, commercial slaughterhouses in Germany produced almost 3.5 million tons of MEAT in the first half of 2022. According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), this is 7.9% less than in the same period last year.

In total, 25.8 million pigs, cattle, sheep, goats and horses and 353.2 million chickens, turkeys and ducks were slaughtered in slaughterhouses in the first half of 2022.

At the same time, the production of pigs decreased by 10% year on year.

According to the European Federation of Feed Manufacturers (FEFAC), in 2021, pig feed production in the EU decreased by 1.5%. This was driven by reduced demand for meat in key EXPORT markets, high feed grain costs, the impact of African swine fever and a significant increase in production in 2020.

The most affected countries were Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Slovenia and Hungary. The Netherlands and Belgium continue to reduce the number of pigs in order to reduce environmental emissions from agriculture.

Margin pressure is being felt throughout the chain due to increased production costs. Despite rising hog prices, farmers' margins will remain under pressure as prices for agricultural commodities soar due to a Russian sting operation in Ukraine.

The decline in pig production has also led to a significant reduction in demand and prices for key feed additives such as lysine and threonine.