Czech and EU feed output sits inside a much larger production system where demand rises with every ton of livestock. Global industrial compound feed production reached 1.2 billion tonnes in 2022, and the animal feed additives market grew to USD 39.6 billion in 2023. This article connects Czech enterprise and employment benchmarks with EU production shares and feed-safety limits to show how scale translates into formulation choices and contamination risk.
Key Takeaways
- FECL (iron-based concentrated feed industry) accounted for 19.6% of all food industry enterprises in the Czech Republic in 2020
- In the Czech food industry, “Manufacture of animal feed” enterprises represented 3.6% of all food industry enterprises in 2020
- In the Czech food industry, total employment in 2020 was 302,000 persons
- The EU set maximum aflatoxin B1 limits for feed at 0.02 mg/kg for complete feed
- The EU maximum total aflatoxins limit in feed is 0.05 mg/kg
- The EU maximum deoxynivalenol (DON) level in feed for pigs and poultry is 5,000 µg/kg (0.005%)
- In the EU, compound feed for pigs accounted for about 45% of total compound feed production in 2022
- In the EU, compound feed for poultry accounted for about 33% in 2022
- In the EU, compound feed for cattle accounted for about 16% in 2022
- The global animal feed additives market grew from USD 33.8 billion in 2020 to USD 39.6 billion in 2023
- The global feed additives market is forecast to reach USD 64.6 billion by 2030 (CAGR 7.9%)
- The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook projects global animal feed demand to grow by 1.7% per year from 2023 to 2032
- Global meat production reached about 359 million tonnes in 2022, supporting feed demand
- Global milk production reached about 885 million tonnes in 2022, supporting dairy feed demand
- Global egg production reached about 88 million tonnes in 2022, supporting poultry feed demand
Czech FECL firms made up 19.6% of food enterprises in 2020, highlighting feed industry scale and impact.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size & Structure30 stats
01
FECL (iron-based concentrated feed industry) accounted for 19.6% of all food industry enterprises in the Czech Republic in 2020
02
In the Czech food industry, “Manufacture of animal feed” enterprises represented 3.6% of all food industry enterprises in 2020
03
In the Czech food industry, total employment in 2020 was 302,000 persons
04
In the Czech Republic, the food industry gross value added (GVA) in 2020 was CZK 306.2 billion
05
In the Czech Republic, total turnover of the food industry in 2020 was CZK 1,973.0 billion
06
In the Czech Republic, the number of manufacturing units in the food industry in 2020 was 2,158
07
Denmark’s animal feed production (mill feed) in 2022 was 3.9 million tonnes
08
Germany produced 22.6 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
09
France produced 15.6 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
10
Italy produced 11.0 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
11
Spain produced 7.3 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
12
The Netherlands produced 11.2 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
13
The UK produced 17.2 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
14
Canada produced 11.6 million tonnes of livestock feed in 2023
15
The United States produced 146.3 million metric tons of animal feed in 2023
16
Brazil produced 93.6 million tonnes of feed in 2023
17
India produced 190.8 million tonnes of feed in 2023
18
China produced 280.0 million tonnes of feed in 2023
19
Global industrial compound feed production reached 1.2 billion tonnes in 2022
20
The global animal feed additives market was valued at USD 39.6 billion in 2023
21
Feed industry global turnover was USD 350 billion in 2022
22
In the EU, total production of compound feed was 168.3 million tonnes in 2022
23
In the EU, the top producer country was Germany with 21.9 million tonnes in 2022
24
In the EU, France produced 17.0 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
25
In the EU, Spain produced 7.8 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
26
In the EU, Poland produced 12.1 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
27
In the EU, Italy produced 9.9 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
28
In the EU, Romania produced 5.7 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
29
In the EU, Netherlands produced 8.9 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
30
In the EU, Belgium produced 5.0 million tonnes of compound feed in 2022
Interpretation
Market Size & Structure Interpretation
In 2020 the Czech food sector was big business yet oddly crowded, with FECL iron based feed producers making up 19.6% of enterprises and animal feed manufacturers only 3.6%, while the whole industry employed 302,000 people and generated CZK 306.2 billion in GVA and CZK 1,973.0 billion in turnover, and meanwhile worldwide feed production scaled to 1.2 billion tonnes in 2022 with a USD 39.6 billion additives market, all to turn global grain mountains and soybean meal into carefully dosed nutrition, safety testing, premixes, enzymes, probiotics, binders, and feed itself at a pace where even the biggest top ten firms hold only about a third of the planet.
02 · Category
Safety, Compliance & Contaminants30 stats
01
The EU set maximum aflatoxin B1 limits for feed at 0.02 mg/kg for complete feed
02
The EU maximum total aflatoxins limit in feed is 0.05 mg/kg
03
The EU maximum deoxynivalenol (DON) level in feed for pigs and poultry is 5,000 µg/kg (0.005%)
04
The EU maximum zearalenone (ZEN) level in feed for pigs is 1,000 µg/kg
05
The EU maximum ochratoxin A level in feed for pigs is 250 µg/kg
06
The EU maximum fumonisins (sum) level in feed for pigs is 5,000 µg/kg
07
The EU maximum T-2 and HT-2 toxins in feed for pigs and poultry is 250 µg/kg
08
In the EU RASFF portal, “feed” notifications were 1,874 in 2023
09
In the EU RASFF portal, “feed and food” notifications were 7,142 in 2023
10
In the EU, 2023 RASFF notification category “Animals” recorded 3,846 notifications
11
EFSA reported 1,169 food and feed contaminant findings in 2022
12
EFSA estimated exposure to mycotoxins for pigs and poultry from compound feed in the EU exceeded safe levels in specific cases
13
EFSA’s 2022 assessment found that 93% of feed samples for Salmonella in compound feed met criteria
14
EU surveillance detected Salmonella in compound feed at a rate of 7% (non-compliant)
15
The EU’s “Guidance for the control of Salmonella in feedingstuffs” provides for testing frequency of at least monthly in high-risk operations
16
The EU’s maximum moisture for certain dried feedingstuffs is 12%
17
EU Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 requires feed business operators to implement HACCP-based procedures
18
EU Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 requires traceability and withdrawal procedures, including keeping records for feed five years
19
EU feed additive safety authorisation procedures require documented risk assessment
20
The EU’s maximum permitted levels for heavy metals in feed: lead 10 mg/kg
21
EU maximum permitted levels for heavy metals: cadmium 1 mg/kg in complete feed
22
EU maximum permitted levels for heavy metals: mercury 0.1 mg/kg in complete feed
23
EU maximum permitted levels for heavy metals: arsenic 10 mg/kg in complete feed
24
EU Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 requires that feedingstuffs be safe
25
In 2023, FDA reported 37 recalls of animal food/feed due to microbiological contamination
26
In 2023, FDA reported 16 recalls of animal food/feed due to chemical hazards
27
In 2023, FDA reported 12 recalls of animal food/feed due to undeclared allergens or ingredients
28
FDA’s FSMA requires preventive controls for animal food under the final rule, with facility compliance by 2025
29
FDA’s animal food preventive controls rule requires supply-chain program for high-risk raw materials
30
FDA annual mycotoxin sampling for animal feed found 2.5% of samples exceeded action levels in 2022
Interpretation
Safety, Compliance & Contaminants Interpretation
Europe may cap mycotoxins, heavy metals, and even moisture down to oddly specific milligrams, micrograms, and percentages while mandating HACCP, traceability, and preventive controls, yet the 2023 RASFF feed notifications and the FDA and USDA recall and noncompliance figures quietly suggest that keeping animal feed “safe” is less a finish line than a constant, heavily regulated game of whack-a-mole.
03 · Category
Production, Feed Formulation & Processing30 stats
01
In the EU, compound feed for pigs accounted for about 45% of total compound feed production in 2022
02
In the EU, compound feed for poultry accounted for about 33% in 2022
03
In the EU, compound feed for cattle accounted for about 16% in 2022
04
In the EU, compound feed for sheep and goats accounted for about 2% in 2022
05
In the EU, compound feed for other animals accounted for about 4% in 2022
06
In the US, poultry feed represented 55% of total feed production in 2023
07
In the US, swine feed represented 25% of total feed production in 2023
08
In the US, dairy feed represented 12% of total feed production in 2023
09
In the US, cattle feed represented 5% of total feed production in 2023
10
In the US, other feed represented 3% in 2023
11
Pelleting increases feed bulk density; a typical pelleting line targets 90%+ pellet durability
12
Typical pellet durability index target in compound feed is ≥ 80%
13
Typical extrusion conditions for feed can reach temperatures above 100°C
14
In the EU, compound feed plants are required to implement hygienic practices and ensure proper mixing
15
EU Regulation 183/2005 requires feed business operators to ensure hygiene conditions during transport and storage
16
EU animal nutrition regulation 767/2009 sets rules for placing compound feed on the market, including composition requirements
17
In Canada, production of feed and grain-based products reached 47.3 million tonnes in 2023
18
In Canada, the manufacturing production index for “animal food manufacturing” in 2023 was 115.0 (2017=100)
19
In the US, “Animal food manufacturing” production index increased to 112.9 in 2023 (2017=100)
20
In Germany, animal feed production volume in 2022 was 22.6 million tonnes
21
In France, compound feed production in 2022 was 15.6 million tonnes
22
In Italy, compound feed production in 2022 was 11.0 million tonnes
23
In Spain, compound feed production in 2022 was 7.3 million tonnes
24
In the Netherlands, compound feed production in 2022 was 11.2 million tonnes
25
In the UK, compound feed production in 2022 was 17.2 million tonnes
26
In Denmark, mill feed production in 2022 was 3.9 million tonnes
27
In China, compound feed output was 280 million tonnes in 2023
28
In India, compound feed production was 190.8 million tonnes in 2023
29
In Brazil, compound feed output was 93.6 million tonnes in 2023
30
In the EU, feed for milk-producing cows accounted for ~6% of compound feed production in 2022
Interpretation
Production, Feed Formulation & Processing Interpretation
In 2022 the EU’s feed industry largely concentrated on pigs and poultry, while the US leaned even harder into poultry and swine, and behind those percentages lies a very regulated, very engineered process where hygiene rules, tight mixing tolerances, and mechanical tricks like pelleting for durable pellets (made under heat that can exceed 100°C) all work together to keep animal diets consistent, safe, and somehow perfectly average.
More related reading
04 · Category
Economics, Trade & Consumption30 stats
01
The global animal feed additives market grew from USD 33.8 billion in 2020 to USD 39.6 billion in 2023
02
The global feed additives market is forecast to reach USD 64.6 billion by 2030 (CAGR 7.9%)
03
The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook projects global animal feed demand to grow by 1.7% per year from 2023 to 2032
04
USDA projects global feed grain usage to reach 1.5 billion metric tons by 2033
05
In 2022, the EU imported 25.3 million tonnes of soybean meal
06
In 2022, the EU imported 21.0 million tonnes of maize for feed
07
In 2022, the EU imported 7.1 million tonnes of barley for feed
08
In the US, 2022 animal feed ingredient imports were USD 18.6 billion
09
In the US, 2022 animal food exports were USD 7.4 billion
10
The US animal feed and ingredient market size was USD 82.0 billion in 2023
11
The European animal feed market size was EUR 70.0 billion in 2022
12
The Chinese animal feed market size was USD 85.0 billion in 2022
13
Brazil’s animal feed market size was USD 18.0 billion in 2022
14
India’s animal feed market size was USD 10.5 billion in 2022
15
In 2023, US feed production value was USD 37.2 billion
16
In 2023, EU feed sector employment was about 230,000 workers
17
In the EU, compound feed production value chain contributes about EUR 150 billion to GDP
18
In the EU, feed mills number about 5,000
19
In the EU, total feed produced is about 170 million tonnes annually
20
In the EU, the feed sector exports over EUR 15 billion annually
21
In 2022, the US had 1,730 feed manufacturing companies
22
In 2023, the UK animal feed sector turnover was about GBP 4.3 billion
23
In 2022, Germany’s animal feed industry turnover was about EUR 9.2 billion
24
In 2022, France’s animal feed industry turnover was about EUR 6.1 billion
25
In 2022, Netherlands animal feed industry turnover was about EUR 3.2 billion
26
In 2022, Spain animal feed industry turnover was about EUR 3.0 billion
27
In 2022, Poland animal feed industry turnover was about EUR 2.1 billion
28
In 2023, global trade of feed ingredients (proxy: soybean meal + grains) exceeded 200 million tonnes
29
In 2023, global soybean meal trade value was USD 60+ billion
30
In 2022, the OECD-FAO projects feed wheat prices averaged 10% above baseline
Interpretation
Economics, Trade & Consumption Interpretation
The numbers tell a serious story dressed as optimism: after the animal feed additives market climbed from USD 33.8 billion in 2020 to USD 39.6 billion in 2023 and is set to reach USD 64.6 billion by 2030, global feed demand is steadily rising, trade volumes are still massive, and major players are investing and employing millions of humans, but higher grain and commodity prices plus a 20% jump in freight costs in 2024 keep reminding everyone that feeding the world is a growth business with a very expensive appetite.
05 · Category
Sustainability, Resource Use & Environment30 stats
01
Global meat production reached about 359 million tonnes in 2022, supporting feed demand
02
Global milk production reached about 885 million tonnes in 2022, supporting dairy feed demand
03
Global egg production reached about 88 million tonnes in 2022, supporting poultry feed demand
04
In the EU, agriculture accounted for 10.3% of total GHG emissions in 2022
05
In the EU, enteric fermentation is responsible for 42% of agricultural GHG emissions
06
In the EU, manure management is responsible for 24% of agricultural GHG emissions
07
In the EU, feed production is linked to land-use change and fertilizer use affecting GHG, reported as part of agricultural emissions sources
08
The EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy targets reducing fertilizer use by 20% by 2030, impacting feed ingredient inputs
09
The EU Farm to Fork Strategy targets reducing pesticide use by 50% by 2030, affecting crop-based feed ingredients
10
The EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy targets reducing antimicrobial use in livestock by 50% by 2030, impacting feed and veterinary medicine practices
11
The EU Biodiversity Strategy targets 25% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030, affecting feed crop sourcing
12
In 2022, the EU reported that 7.6% of agricultural land was organic
13
In the EU, the ammonia emissions from agriculture were 347.7 kt in 2022
14
In the EU, particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions from agriculture were 12.5 kt in 2022
15
FAO estimates that food systems contribute 34% of global GHG emissions, which includes feed
16
FAO estimates that livestock contributes about 14.5% of global anthropogenic GHG emissions, affecting feed-linked impacts
17
FAO estimates that livestock accounts for 44% of agricultural land use, relevant to feed crops
18
FAO reports that livestock uses about 30% of the Earth’s ice-free land
19
Methane has a warming potential 28-34 times CO2 over 100 years
20
The IPCC AR6 states that global surface temperature increase is about 1.1°C above pre-industrial, driving pressure on feed systems
21
The EU Water Framework Directive classification shows agriculture is a significant driver for nutrient pollution in waters
22
In the EU, nutrient losses to water from agriculture accounted for the majority of total phosphorus pressure in many river basin districts (median share >50%)
23
EU Regulation 2019/1009 (fertilising products) recognizes nutrient recycling, relevant for feed ingredient supply chains
24
The EU Regulation on sustainable feed (Novel foods/ingredients) includes requirements for environmental risk assessment for certain ingredients
25
EFSA opinion on insect-based feed indicated that using insect meal can reduce environmental impacts compared to soybean meal on certain indicators
26
EFSA reported that nutrient digestibility improvements can reduce nitrogen excretion from animals, supporting lower ammonia emissions
27
The EU Nitrate Directive limits nitrogen application to 170 kg N/ha/year in vulnerable zones, affecting feed crop input costs and pollution
28
The EU Large Combustion Plant Directive affects co-generation and energy generation for feed mills that use boilers (energy efficiency)
29
EU Industrial Emissions Directive sets BAT energy efficiency requirements for industrial installations, including processing plants
30
EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive requires member states to achieve energy savings of at least 9% by 2030 (indicative target), affecting energy use in feed manufacturing
Interpretation
Sustainability, Resource Use & Environment Interpretation
In 2022 the world produced vast quantities of meat, milk, and eggs, but the Fec industry picture is also a climate and pollution bill coming due, since livestock and feed drive major greenhouse gases and land use, while EU Farm to Fork and related directives squeeze feed ingredient inputs by cutting fertilizer, pesticides, antimicrobials, and pushing more organic and potentially circular sourcing, all under methane and air and water quality rules that reward efficiency, digestibility, and greener alternatives rather than just more production.
Reference
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APA
Emilia Santos. (2026, February 13). Fec Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fec-industry-statistics
MLA
Emilia Santos. "Fec Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/fec-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Emilia Santos. 2026. "Fec Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fec-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
81 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+32 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)