AFMA’s Animal Feed Report for December 2025 shows that animal feed production rose by 9 370t (1,6%) month-on-month (m/m) and 11 726t (2%) year-on-year (y/y) in December 2025, driven primarily by increases in layer, broiler, and breeder feed production.
According to Dr Lucius Phaleng, trade adviser at AFMA, the growth trajectory in the association’s feed production is clearly reflected in both the m/m and y/y comparisons, highlighting a recovery in the industry.
“While 2025 reflects a recovery from the marginal decline observed in 2024, total production remains only modestly above 2023 levels, indicating stabilisation rather than a strong expansion phase,” he said.
Growth was primarily supported by the poultry industry, particularly broiler and layer feed, with smaller contributions from other segments.
“Total feed production over the past three years indicates modest fluctuations in the industry, reflecting market demand and production capacity. In 2023, total production reached 6,95 million tons, while in 2024 it decreased slightly to 6,9 million tons, representing a decline of approximately 0,7%,” Phaleng added.
“However, production rebounded in 2025, reaching 7,15 million tons, resulting in 3,7% growth compared with 2024 figures.”
Dairy feed growth slows
According to AFMA, dairy feed production increased from 2023 to 2025, although the pace of growth slowed in 2025. Output rose from 941 281t in 2023 to 988 610t in 2024, an increase of around 5%.
The upward trend continued into 2025, but at a more subdued rate, with production reaching just over one million tons, reflecting growth of roughly 1,4%. In December 2025, dairy feed production totalled 87 700t, slightly lower than the 87 835t recorded in the previous month but higher than the 86 645t produced in December 2024. This equates to a 0,2% (135t) m/m decrease and a 1,2% (1 055t) year-on-year increase.
Beef and sheep feed output drops
Beef and sheep feed production showed little change between 2023 and 2024, edging down by around 0,1% from 841 394t to 840 319t.
However, according to Phaleng, a significant contraction occurred in 2025, with production falling sharply by approximately 11,4% to 744 377t.
“Production declined to 51 943t in December 2025 from 61 145t in November 2025 and 61 259t in December 2024. This represents a sharp 15% m/m drop of 9 202t and a 15,2% y/y decline of 9 316t,” he explained.
He noted that the similar baseline levels in November 2025 and December 2024 highlight how much lower the December 2025 volume was compared with both periods.
“The magnitude of decline of more than 9 000t in both cases indicates a substantial contraction across both m/m and y/y comparisons,” Phaleng said.
Pig feed marginally up, game feed down
Pig feed production recorded moderate growth across the three years. The report shows that volumes increased by 2,2% from 444 721t in 2023 to 454 685t in 2024, and by 3,5% to 470 712t in 2025.
“This indicates a stable and gradually expanding pig production industry. Pig feed production increased from 38 592t in December 2024 to 35 641t in November 2025 and 38 878t in December 2025. This equates to a 9,1% (3 237t) m/m increase and a 0,7% (286t) y/y increase,” Phaleng pointed out.
Game feed experienced strong growth in 2024 but a decline in 2025. The report shows a y/y increase of 41,3% from 2023 to 2024, rising from 22 396t to 31 641t.
“However, this was followed by a decline of 15,4% in 2025, bringing production down to 26 770t. Game feed recorded 1 726t in December 2025, down from 2 195t in November 2025 and 2 395t in December 2024,” he noted.
“The consistent decline across both comparisons indicates a sustained reduction in production, with December 2025 volumes significantly below both benchmarks.”
Phaleng added that some of the declines recorded are not isolated but rather reflect a broader pattern linked to disruptions from disease outbreaks such as foot-and-mouth disease.
Note: the publication of AFMA’s data is subject to a three-month delay in compliance with Competition Commission requirements.
