Switzerland releases protein feed reserves amid import disruption

SWITZERLAND – Switzerland has authorised the release of strategic protein feed reserves after low water levels on the Rhine and Danube disrupted imports of key feed ingredients, including soybean meal used in livestock and poultry production.

The Swiss Federal Office for National Economic Supply said companies can access up to 20% of the country’s stored protein feed reserves, equivalent to nearly 16,000 tonnes, from September 1, 2026, through February 2027.

The measure, approved by Delegate for Economic Supply Roland Pfister, is intended to address a temporary supply shortfall caused by transport constraints, not a lack of protein feed on global markets.

Low river levels disrupt feed imports

Prolonged drought has reduced water levels along the Rhine and Danube, two major transport routes for goods entering Switzerland. 

Lower shipping capacity has slowed protein feed imports, while increased demand for road and rail transport has put additional pressure on alternative freight capacity.

The Swiss authorities said supplies of other essential goods remain secure.

The situation is further complicated by reduced forage availability following persistent dry conditions, creating additional challenges for livestock producers.

The strategic reserves contain high-protein feed ingredients such as soybean meal, which is widely used in cattle, pig and poultry diets. 

Switzerland is almost entirely dependent on imports for soybean meal, a by-product of soybean oil production.

Feed manufacturers combine soybean meal with grains and other ingredients to produce compound feeds used across the livestock sector.

The country’s protein feed reserves are designed to cover approximately two months of demand, providing a buffer against disruptions to international supply chains.

This is only the second time Switzerland has authorised the release of the reserves. 

A similar measure was approved in 2018 when low water levels on the Rhine disrupted imports. 

However, companies did not ultimately need to draw on the stocks because supply conditions improved quickly.

The latest disruption highlights the vulnerability of feed supply chains to extreme weather and transport constraints, even when sufficient raw materials are available on international markets.

For Swiss livestock producers, maintaining access to imported protein ingredients is particularly important as drought simultaneously reduces domestic forage availability. 

The temporary release of reserves is therefore intended to help feed manufacturers maintain supplies while transport conditions recover.

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