In 2023, 5.24 million tons of moist animal feed were delivered to livestock farmers in the Netherlands. This volume is 4% lower than in 2022. The slight decline is mainly due to a somewhat reduced supply. This decrease was seen among almost all producers: the grain and potato processing industry, the dairy and sugar industries, and the fermentation and alcohol industry. This emerges from the annual inventory of the Circular Feed association (CFa), the association of producers and distributors of this type of feed.
The inventory involves the sales of CFa members and other distributors to livestock farmers in the Netherlands. The most important moist animal feeds have for many years been potato products, Wheat yeast concentrate, pressed pulp, wheat starch, brewer's grains, corn gluten feed, and whey. Together, these products make up almost 95% of the sales of moist animal feeds. The total quantity of moist feedstuffs corresponds to nearly 1.2 million tons of dry feed materials.
Pig feed rations
The quantity of moist feedstuffs in the diet of Dutch pigs slightly decreased in 2023 by 4% to 2.8 million tons. The supply of potato products, wheat starch, brewer's yeast, and whey products was lower than in 2022. The most important products for pig farming remain wheat starch, potato steam peels, dairy products, and wheat distiller's solubles.
Cattle feed rations
In cattle farming, 2.43 million tons of moist animal feed were delivered. This is a 5% decrease compared to 2022. This can be explained by a smaller harvest of beets and potatoes on the one hand, but also by a lower supply of corn gluten feed and brewer's grains. In cattle farming, the largest products are pressed pulp, brewer's grains, potato press fibers, wheat distiller's solubles, and corn gluten feed.
Valued and circular
The mentioned feeds are co-products of food production. They are valued as a nutritional source, provide a return for both producers and buyers, and fit into the circular economy: livestock farmers utilize valuable and nutrient-rich (protein) products from the region. Moreover, production can save on drying costs, thereby contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions from food companies and livestock farming.
Indispensable role
Moist animal feeds play an indispensable role in the diets of Dutch pigs and cattle. This is to the satisfaction of the CFa, which, as an association, represents the interests of the involved producers and distributors and stimulates sales. The annual inventory includes products sold in the Netherlands, produced in the Netherlands or within a limited distance of its borders.
