The sales of moist animal feed to livestock farmers in the Netherlands remained virtually stable last year. In 2024, this amounted to 5.2 million tons (0.7% lower than in 2023). Declines and increases in various product groups balanced each other out. There was less supply of dairy and potato products, and more sales of beet pulp from the sugar industry and products from the grain processing industry. This emerges from the annual inventory by the Circular Feed Association (CFa), the association of producers and distributors of this type of feed.
In its inventory, CFa includes the sales of its members and of other distributors to farmers in the Netherlands. The most important moist animal feeds have for many years been potato products, wheat gluten feed, beet pulp, wheat starch, brewers’ grains, corn gluten feed, and whey. Together, these products account for nearly 95% of moist feed sales. The total amount of moist feed corresponds to nearly 1.2 million tons of dry feed materials.
Pig rations
The amount of moist feed in the rations of Dutch pigs fell slightly in 2024 by 3% to 2.7 million tons. The supply of potato products and especially whey products was lower than in 2023. The main products for pig farming remain wheat starch, potato steam peels, dairy products, and wheat gluten feed.
Cattle rations
In cattle farming, 2.5 million tons of moist animal feed were sold. This is an increase of nearly 3% compared to 2023, mainly due to more sales of beet pulp. The main products in cattle farming are beet pulp, brewers’ grains, potato pulp fibers, wheat gluten feed, and corn gluten feed.
Valued and circular
These feeds are co-products of the production of food, ingredients, and biofuels. They are valued as a nutritional source for pigs and ruminants, provide returns for both producer and buyer, and fit within the circular economy: farmers use valuable and nutrient-rich (protein) products from the region. In addition, production saves on drying costs, contributing to reducing the CO2 emissions of both food companies and livestock farming.
An indispensable role
Moist animal feeds play an indispensable role in the rations of Dutch pigs and cattle. This is welcomed by the CFa, which as an association represents the interests of the producers and distributors involved and promotes sales. The annual inventory covers products sold in the Netherlands, produced either domestically or within a limited distance of the national borders.
