Analyzing the Growing Demand for Animal Feed Additives and Their Impact on Improving Farmers’ Income

Highlights:

• Introduction
• Different types and advantages of animal feed additives
• The rise of the sector in Asia-Pacific

Animal husbandry is a major source of income for farmers and cultivators in several emerging economies of the world in two ways. Firstly, livestock like bulls and ox play a huge role in various agricultural activities like plowing, transporting grains, etc. On the other hand, cattle like buffaloes and cows are an important source of milk and meat, thus laying the foundation of the dairy and meat industries at the village level. Hence, farmers in these countries pay special attention to the health and nutrition of their cattle to increase livestock output. To support farmers in this endeavor, government institutes and private companies specializing in agriculture and allied activities engage in R&D activities to develop products that could improve productivity, thereby enhancing the income of the farmers in the long run. One such product which has become indispensable in the animal husbandry sector is animal feed additives.

Increasing livestock productivity with animal feed additives

Animal feed additives are products added to the animal feed to improve its quality and nutrition, ultimately improving the health and performance of the animals. These diet-enhancing products are mainly added to address nutritional deficiencies in the feed, resolve any digestive issues faced by the cattle, enhance their bone health, and increase their appetite. Some animal feed additives are specifically designed for pregnant and lactating cattle animals to provide them with enough strength. Thus, over the years, various types of animal feed additives have been developed to address the different needs of the livestock.

For instance, nutritional feed additives provide cattle with the necessary vitamins, amino acids, proteins, and other trace minerals that help them fight infections, boost immunity, and prevent the development of various ailments that hamper their health. On the other hand, there are sensory feed additives such as sweeteners and colorants which enhance animals’ appetite, thus increasing the voluntary intake of the feed. Antibiotic feed additives are also available today which better the metabolism of the animal and improve its gut health. Along with this, other products like zootechnical and technological feed additives have also been launched which supplement the feed with certain specific nutrients and adjust its pH level, texture, and acidity.

Rising usage of animal feed additives in Asia-Pacific countries like India and China

As said earlier, the demand for animal feed additives has increased substantially in the past few years. This is especially true in the case of Asia-Pacific countries like India and China. The growing pace of urbanization and industrialization in these countries has, in turn, surged the consumption of processed foods like meat, poultry, and dairy products. This has led to an increased need to increase livestock productivity, thereby influencing farmers to offer animal feed additives to their cattle.

At the same time, the overall expansion of the aquaculture sector due to the rising consumption of fish and other aquatic animals has increased the use of animal feed additives to enhance the health and productivity of these marine and freshwater species. The changing dietary habits and consumption patterns of people in metropolitan cities and industrial towns are expected to further amplify the sale of these additives in these countries. A study conducted by a renowned agricultural journal found that India and China are the leading exporters of these additives which have played an important role in the rise of the animal feed additives industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Also, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam are slowly emerging as important countries in this landscape.

Apart from this, many private companies, civil societies, and other stakeholders in this sector are actively engaging in R&D activities and launching innovative products, thereby generating new opportunities for growth in this province. For instance, in August 2023, Gramik, a major agricultural inputs and service provider based in India, announced the launch of a range of animal health supplements viz., ‘Heifer Mix’, ‘Doodh Sagar’, ‘Urja Pashu PoshakAahar’. The CEO of the company was quoted saying that the supplements are developed for rapid growth and development of bovine animals and improve their productivity in the long run. Since India has the largest number of milk-producing cattle in the world, the product launch is expected to strengthen the company’s foothold in the industry in the coming period.

To summarize, the increasing focus on the animal husbandry sector and the rising need to improve the productivity of livestock are estimated to contribute to the growth in demand for animal feed additives. At the same time, the surge in consumption of meat and poultry products in metropolitan cities due to changing dietary habits and lifestyles has indirectly broadened the scope of the animal feed landscape across the globe.

 

For a detailed analysis of the different growth drivers and investment opportunities in the industry, feel free to contact us.

Related Post