Exclusive Feed International report preview:
Though no official regional data exists, sources estimate West Africa produced more than 5 million metric tons of animal feed in 2015. The region has the opportunity to experience much growth in coming years. However, such expansion is hindered by the cost and availability of crucial feedstuffs.
Read the entire report about grain shortages in West Africa exclusively in the August/September issue of Feed International.
Feed accounts for 70 percent of the West African farmers' production budget. But, as long as the region is dependent on corn, poultry, pig and fish production in West Africa is not viable. While corn is a main ingredients in feeds for poultry, pig and fish, it is also the main staple meal of most West Africans, making it scarce and expensive.
Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Ghana all need to rely on imports to meet demand for corn.
