FEFAC warns EU heatwaves could trigger major feed supply shortfall

EUROPE – The European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) has warned that repeated heatwaves across several EU Member States have caused severe shortages of forage and summer crops, further pressuring livestock feed supplies, particularly for cattle.

FEFAC said the impact is already worse than the last major EU heatwave in 2018, with a substantial shortfall in EU maize production expected to reduce the availability of both maize silage and maize grain in the coming months.

The federation said the situation requires exceptional measures to help maintain feed supply and protect livestock farmers from further disruption.

“Further contingency measures are urgently required at EU level to help mitigate and prevent the growing risk of disruption of essential feed supplies, particularly in the ruminant sector,” FEFAC said.

EU maize imports could exceed 26 million tonnes

FEFAC market experts expect the EU to require more than 7 million tonnes of additional maize imports during the 2026-27 marketing year, taking total maize import requirements to more than 26 million tonnes.

Most of the additional supply is expected to come from Ukraine, the United States and Brazil.

The forage shortage is also expected to widen the EU’s feed protein deficit, including for organic feed production, increasing demand for imported soy products.

FEFAC’s latest assessment estimates that additional direct feed sourcing costs for soy products could exceed €1 billion (US$1.17 billion) in 2027, while warning that sufficient market availability is not guaranteed.

“This is economically unviable for EU livestock farmers in the context of depressed prices for most livestock products,” FEFAC said.

FEFAC calls for emergency measures

FEFAC has called on EU authorities to revive a range of crisis mitigation measures previously introduced in 2022 in response to feed supply disruptions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

FEFAC called for open transit and market access for Ukrainian feed grains, alongside temporary national derogations on residue limits for imported feed grains. 

It also urged further simplification of administrative requirements for soy products under the EU Deforestation Regulation.

The federation also called for temporary derogations covering protein sources and forages used in organic feed.

Transport is another concern. FEFAC said low water levels along major inland shipping corridors are forcing significant volumes of feed materials onto road and rail networks, increasing transport costs. 

It therefore called for temporary national derogations on feed truck driving hours and an increase in the maximum load for cross-border feed transport to 44 tonnes.

The measures, FEFAC said, are needed to help feed manufacturers and livestock producers manage the growing supply and cost pressures while maintaining feed and food security and animal welfare.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.