NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — China’s animal feed production grew far faster than its meat and egg output in 2025, signaling continued structural shifts in the country’s livestock and grain demand, according to data compiled by retired U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) economist Fred Gale from the China Feed Industry Association and China’s National Bureau of Statistics.
Feed output rose 27.2 million metric tons to 342.25 million metric tons in 2025, while meat and egg production increased by just 3.2 million tons. Over the past decade, feed production climbed by 142 million tons — more than ten times the 13.8 million-ton increase in meat and egg output over the same period. Swine feed alone jumped 22.5 million tons last year to 166 million, accounting for nearly half of total feed production.
The feed-to-meat ratio widened further. Swine feed output equaled 2.8 times pork production of 59.4 million tons, up from ratios near 2.5-to-1 in recent years. Poultry feed ratios were even higher. Those figures exceed commonly cited on-farm feed conversion rates, suggesting continued shifts from on-farm mixing to commercial feed manufacturing and deeper integration in China’s livestock sector.
Soybean meal held steady at 13.4% of compound feed, while rapeseed and cottonseed meal use increased. Rice, wheat, and sorghum use declined. Feed production gains were concentrated in major provinces, including Shandong and Guangdong.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Rising Chinese feed output — especially for swine — signals sustained demand for protein meals and feed inputs, even when meat production growth appears modest.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Expect modest relief on several produce lines, mixed protein trends into holiday buying, and softer veg-oil costs — a good week to sharpen forward buys selectively.
November 04, 2025 11:29 AM
·
According to Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, the top three soy-crushing companies in Bangladesh agreed to buy $1 billion worth of U.S. soybeans over the next year.
November 04, 2025 11:17 AM
·
A strong corn export pull is supportive of bids; soybeans need steady vessel programs or fresh sales to firm cash.
November 04, 2025 10:47 AM
·
Laramie Sandquist discusses Nationwide Agribusiness’s commitment to grain bin safety initiatives, including providing life-saving equipment and training to fire departments across the country.
November 03, 2025 01:13 PM
·
China’s crusher losses and Brazil tensions, Gale warns, could reopen critical soybean trade channels for U.S. producers.
November 03, 2025 11:13 AM
·
Persistently low Mississippi River levels are turning logistics challenges into pricing risks — tightening margins for grain producers and exporters across the heartland.
November 03, 2025 10:20 AM
·
China’s grain expansion model may be hitting its limit. Lower prices, high rents, and policy fatigue threaten future output — with ripple effects across global feed and oilseed markets.
November 02, 2025 05:06 AM
·
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) shares his outlook on the developing U.S.-China Trade agreement, and the ongoing impact of the federal government shutdown—now stretching past four weeks—on rural communities and producers.
October 31, 2025 01:35 PM
·
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss what the Carney-Xi meeting could mean for Canadian producers.
October 31, 2025 01:29 PM
·
