China: Trends in feed production and use

Overall feed quantity and feed usage in CHINA is forecast to change little in MY 2023/24 compared to 2022/23 due to expected stable demand for pig and poultry feed. However, the proportion of corn in diets is projected to continue to rise.

According to the latest report from the China Feed Industry Association (CFIA), China's nationwide industrial feed production was 302.2 million tons in calendar year 2022, up 3% from last year. Pig and poultry feed production accounted for 45% and 40% of total feed production, respectively, compared to 45% and 41% a year earlier. Feed mills used 30% more corn in their feed rations in 2022 than in 2021. The use of wheat and barley decreased significantly, while the use of domestically produced sorghum, wheat bran, rice bran and DDG increased significantly in 2022.

Pig production in 2023 is forecast to fall by 2% to 700 million heads due to lower average sow numbers in 2022 compared to 2021. With high feed prices and persistently low pork prices, pig farms are unlikely to expand capacity in 2024. Beef and poultry production in 2023 is expected to be flat from 2022.

Corn is expected to give way to soybeans this year due to government policies and subsidies to increase soybean production. Corn imports in MY 2023/24 are projected to be stable at 18Mt, while sorghum imports should return to higher levels as international shipments pick up. Rice consumption and imports are projected to decline as less broken rice is imported and used as a feed alternative.