‘Poultry feeds’ price dropping globally’

Easing feed costs in global poultry production are providing near-term relief, while the operating environment for feed manufacturers is becoming more complex, according to an analysis by www.FeedStrategy.com

The industry, it noted, is being reshaped by disease risk, shifting production systems, sustainability demands and geopolitical uncertainty.

Industry data cited by FeedStrategy.com showed that overall feed prices fell by about 6 per cent in 2025, largely due to weaker cattle feed demand and accumulated inventories.

The report maintained that corn and soybean meal prices remained below long-term averages, helping to support growth in broiler and egg production.

Poultry,according to it , remains one of the most structurally advantaged animal proteins globally, a position it is expected to retain through the year.

Rabobank Senior Protein Analyst Nan-Dirk Mulder  said  that poultry markets have expanded by nearly three per cent  annually over the past three years, outpacing historical averages.

He attributed the growth to poultry’s affordability, health profile, convenience and versatility.

Mulder estimatedthat about 80 per cent  of global poultry expansion will take place in emerging markets, particularly across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Latin America.

He noted that these regions are seeing new investments in greenfield poultry projects and modernisation, driving demand for feed milling capacity, standardized formulations and dependable ingredient supply.

Mulder described recent outbreaks as “a major wake-up call to strengthen biosecurity measures to the highest possible level,” warning that new cases in 202 the year  could again trigger market volatility.

CoBank’s lead economist for animal protein, Brian Earnest, noted  that disease pressure is no longer viewed solely as a farm-level problem. While broilers may be less exposed than layers, he said HPAI remains “a major concern in poultry overall,” adding that “biosecurity remains of utmost importance in effort to mitigate the spread and impact.”

As a result, feed mills are increasingly being drawn into integrators’ biosecurity strategies. Ingredient handling, sanitation, cross-contamination control and traceability are now seen as critical risk management factors.

Earnest pointed to companies adopting “a holistic solution-oriented mindset that extends beyond farm and into feed production.”

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It observed that interest is growing in nutritional strategies that support gut integrity and immune function, with additives such as enzymes and probiotics gaining wider acceptance.

According to FeedStrategy.com, these inclusions are increasingly viewed as tools for risk mitigation rather than optional performance enhancers, even in periods of relatively low feed costs.

Layer feed strategies are also evolving as welfare-driven changes such as cage-free systems and extended laying cycles alter nutrient requirements and feed intake patterns. These shifts, FeedStrategy.com reported, require greater flexibility in formulation and production planning.

FeedStrategy.com indicated  that feed manufacturers will be expected to deliver far more than volume. According to it,they will need to support biosecurity, sustainability, animal welfare and performance while navigating supply chain risk and price volatility.