Every year, WATT Global Media’s research team compiles exclusive feed industry insights, including the production volumes and other data points, to populate its Top Feed Companies database, and then uses it generate Feed Strategy’s 2024 Top Feed Companies report.
To capture the most accurate information, the data and analysis found in the Top Feed Companies report focuses on the previous calendar year’s compound feed production.
In the 2024 report, 148 companies ranked worldwide. Here is a recap of the Top 10 feed manufacturers worldwide, based on production volumes of 1 million metric tons or more.
World's Top 10 animal feed companies in 2023
Click on the company below to view its annual feed production (x1,000 metric tons) in WATT Global Media/Feed Strategy's Top Feed Companies database.
- New Hope Group
- Haid Group
- Muyuan Foodstuff
- Cargill
- CP Group
- Wen’s Food Group
- Shuangbaotai Group (Twins Group)
- Land O'Lakes
- Tyson Foods (broiler)
- De Heus
What influenced global feed production in 2023?
Here is a recap of the key macro trends that influenced global animal feed volumes in 2023, based on the Feed Strategy cover story, "2023 Feed Industry Outlook: Brace for economic uncertainty."
1. Global economic slowdown
The animal feed industry faced significant headwinds from a broader economic downturn. According to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) forecast, global economic growth was expected to slow to just 2.7% in 2023, with "one-third of the world's economies technically already in a recession."
2. Surging inflation and input costs
Inflation had a major impact on the industry's profitability. As David Fairfield, the National Grain and Feed Association's (NGFA) senior vice president, noted: "Managing the cost of inputs and generating adequate revenue will be a high priority moving into 2023." The consumer price index for food was "11.4% higher year over year" and was expected to increase by an additional "2.5% to 3.5% in 2023."
3. Supply chain and logistics challenges
Transportation and supply chain issues persisted throughout the year. As Ismael Roig, ADM Animal Nutrition's president, explained: "Supply chains have been disrupted across the globe for a wide variety of commodities — and we'll continue to feel the impact well into 2023." The industry faced particular challenges with rail and truck transportation, complicated by workforce shortages.
4. European energy crisis
The energy crisis hit European feed producers particularly hard. As Iani Chihaia, animal nutrition consultant, warned: "The dramatic increases in energy costs are forcing feed companies to pass price increases to farmers and consumers, with businesses warning of a persisting inflation rampage in 2023." Some facilities faced the risk of shutting down due to unsustainable energy costs.
5. Animal disease outbreaks
The industry continued to battle significant disease challenges, particularly African swine fever (ASF) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The impact was severe, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reporting "more than 46 million head of commercial U.S. poultry have been lost to the HPAI outbreak in 2022."
6. Push for sustainability
Despite economic challenges, sustainability remained a key priority. As Alexander Döring of the European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC) noted, "The EU legislative 'sustainability train' will keep running in 2023, despite the economic challenges that have put food and feed security on the political agenda." This drove continued investment in research and development for alternative ingredients and feed additives that reduce emissions.
7. Raw material shortages
Climate events and geopolitical tensions affected crop yields and availability. The European Commission downgraded its corn harvest forecast to 55.5 million tons, potentially "the lowest volume since 2007," while the USDA decreased its corn and soybean crop projections, putting additional pressure on feed manufacturers.
To drill down deeper into the factors that shaped this listing, historical data and the company profiles of almost 200 feed producers worldwide, visit the Feed Strategy’s full Top Feed Companies database: https://www.feedstrategy.com/worlds-leading-feed-producers/
