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Edgar Vhera-Agriculture Specialist Writer
The poultry sector has absorbed 75 percent of stock feeds produced in 2023, as broiler producers increased production by 30 percent to meet demand.
The Stockfeed Manufacturers Association (SMA) annual report for 2023 shows that 883 000 tonnes of feed worth US$517 million was produced with the poultry section consuming 75 percent of the consignment.
Other livestock sectors of pigs, dairy, beef, fish and sundry feeds settled for the balance of 25 percent. In value terms, the poultry section’s feed was 81 percent.
The total stockfeed increased 20 percent in quantity and 48 percent in value compared to 2022.
The annual report revealed that about 585 000 tonnes of maize, sorghum, wheat and rice brans worth US$444,9 million and 255 345 tonnes of soya bean products valued at US$121, 7 million were used in the production process.
A total of 14, 820 tonnes of cotton and sunflower cakes worth US$5,2 million plus 15 501 tonnes of feed additives including amino acids, meat and bone meal, fish meal and mineral ad vitamin premixes valued at US$34 million were also used.
Total value of raw materials used by the industry totalled US$345 452 548 and generated US$517 131 500 in revenue.
Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (LMAC) executive administrator Dr Reneth Mano recently said the cost of feed was fairly stable from the fourth quarter of 2023 and fully reflective of landed cost of maize and soya bean meal.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter