From dairy cows to pet food, it's boom for the feed industry: turnover over 10 billion
Both production (+1.1%) and turnover (+3%) increased. Investments and employment also strengthened
Key points
A very positive 2025 for the Italian feed industry with growth in production, turnover, investments and employment. This is what emerged from the annual meeting of Assalzoo (National Association of Livestock Feed Manufacturers) during which production figures were presented: total volumes reached 15.6 million tonnes, +1.1% compared to 2024. Even better was the sector's turnover, which grew by 3% to EUR 10.1 billion.
Investment and employment figures also positive
Employment figures were also good, which grew by 4% with 8,850 direct employees. Also of great industrial relevance are the figures on gross fixed investments, which grew by 5.3% thanks to measures on innovation, sustainability and production efficiency.
Zanin (Assalzoo): strong sector in an unstable environment
"The economic and production data," commented Assalzoo president Massimo Zanin, "confirm the solidity of the Italian feed industry, which is able to adapt to an unstable international framework. Geopolitical tensions and the repercussions on energy and fuel prices have a significant impact on a sector that transports by road almost 80% of the vegetable raw materials necessary for feed production. We need containment measures and we need the recognition of maize as a strategic crop that allows a positive turnaround in the production of this cereal, which is indispensable to the entire agro-livestock-food chain'.
Important postponement of regulations against deforestation
Among the sector's challenges for the near future, President Zanin also recalls the planned implementation of the regulation (Eudr) against deforestation. "We worked hard," added the Assalzoo president, "to obtain a one-year postponement of its application, now set for 31 December 2026. However, the postponement has not solved all the problems. Environmental sustainability is a shareable and necessary objective, but it must go hand in hand with economic sustainability: we must prevent an excess of bureaucratic burdens from jeopardising the already fragile competitiveness of the agri-food system'.
Of the individual sectors, leadership remains with the poultry industry
Among the individual sectors, the leading role in the made-in-Italy feed industry continues to be played by the poultry sector, which accounts for 39.1% of the total feed produced. In volume, more than 6 million tonnes (+0.4%) were produced compared to 2024.
