EU feed production market forecast highlights continued stability
(Posted on 25/05/26)
FEFAC market experts are forecasting continued stability in the EU compound feed production market for 2026. The total industrial compound feed production in the EU27 is expected to reach 152 million tonnes, marking a marginal decrease of 0.06% compared to 2025. This marginal change reflects relative stability across most animal production sectors, despite increasing market uncertainty and diverging national market trends. The EU compound feed sector continues to demonstrate resilience amid ongoing economic and geopolitical upheavals, as well as increasing pressure from regulatory, environmental, and animal health-related developments. However, 2026 is characterised by growing market volatility, driven by the ongoing energy and fertiliser crisis amid regulatory uncertainties (e.g. EUDR) weighing in on forecasting of market developments.
In 2026, EU cattle feed production is forecast to reach 45.358 million tonnes, almost the same volume compared to 2025. Among the major producing countries, France and Poland are expected to see an increase, while the Netherlands and Belgium are projected to experience a significant decline of -5.0% and -2.0%, mainly due to national environmental regulatory policies and lower milk prices. Spain, the largest cattle feed producer, expects an increase of 2%. Denmark, Portugal and Germany are forecast to remain stable or with a marginal increase. Most other Member States anticipate either stable or slightly reduced production levels, reflecting the overall downward trend in the sector due to environmental policies and animal diseases.
Pig feed production in the EU is expected to reach 48.520 million tonnes in 2026, a marginal decrease of – 1.3%. German and French production is down by – 1%, while the Netherlands is forecast to see a sharp decline of -10%. Spain, the largest producer, is set to stabilize at 13.1 million tonnes with a decline of -1.5% in comparison to last year. Portugal will rise by +1% and Poland is expected to grow by +3%. Ireland is projected to decrease by -2.1%, while Hungary and Czechia will likely see an increase of 0.6% and 4.2%. The overall picture is one of stability, with some countries experiencing growth (Bulgaria +5.8%) while others are facing continued decline (Slovenia -12%) of production due to structural changes and ongoing disease pressures from African swine fever (ASF).
The poultry feed sector is expected to grow in 2026, despite ongoing pressure from Avian Influenza (AI), with production forecast to increase by + 1.2% to 51.588 million tonnes. Spain and Germany are set for an increase of +2% and +3.8% respectively. Production in France is growing by 1.5% to 8.250 MT, while Poland is forecast to increase by + 3% to 7.46 million tonnes. Austria is forecast to have a 3% increase while other countries remain stable or have a slight increase.
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