The report stated that cumulative ostrich feed production across the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 had exhibited significant fluctuation.
“Overall, while 2024 experienced a decline relative to 2023, a significant recovery and growth in feed production was demonstrated during the first two months of 2025.”
The report highlighted, however, that there had been a m/m decline of 24,6% from January to February this year, indicating that “production dropped substantially within this short period”.
“However, when examining the y/y comparison, the production by February 2025 had increased by a remarkable 128,5% compared to February 2024.”
Feed production in February 2025 amounted to 539 160t, which was just shy of 25 000t more than produced in the same month in 2024.
“The decrease across various feed categories [in February] suggests a seasonal or market-driven slowdown, with significant drops observed particularly in horse feed (27,6%), game feed (40,7%), ostrich feed (24,6%), and other feeds (11,2%),” the report stated.
Most feed categories showed m/m production declines, including dairy feed (12%), layer feed (14,2%), breeder feed (14%), rabbit feed (9,3%), pig feed (8,2%), and broiler feed (4%).
Increased m/m production was observed for beef and sheep feed (up 8,8%), aquaculture (up 27,1%), and dog feed (up 6,5%).
Despite the various m/m decreases in February, Afma said the overall annual comparison was positive, with overall y/y feed production up 4,9% compared to the same time last year.
“This suggests that while short-term production has slowed compared to the previous month, the overall year-on-year performance remains robust, potentially driven by ongoing demand growth or expanding market segments in animal nutrition.”
Wandile Sihlobo, agricultural economist with Stellenbosch University and chief economist at Agbiz, told Farmer’s Weekly that the slight decline in feed production and demand in February in some categories could be associated with a general improvement in grazing veld and farmers taking advantage of that.
“We also saw higher input costs in the earlier months of this year because of tight supplies in some grains and oilseeds, which drove up feed costs in some categories.”
He said this had prompted some farmers to utilise grazing veld and slightly reduce their feed demand.
“Still, all of this was short-term, and we expect the feed demand and production to pick up, especially as the new season’s crop comes into market,” he said, adding prices were expected to be more affordable than a year ago because of ample grains and oilseed harvests.
