French feed industry eyes modest growth amid labor shortage, import pressures

Despite political instability and rising imports, France's independent feed sector remains optimistic, with innovation and farmer support at the forefront of industry strategy.

Piglets and sow in industrial farm pen with green slatted floor and feeding area
Piglets eating Nutrifure jellified feed.
Yanne Boloh

The French feed industry is expecting slow production growth this year of approximately 1% to reach 19.8 million metric tons (MMT), according to professional syndicates SNIA and La Coopération Agricole. While ruminant and poultry volumes will be up, pig feed production is decreasing due to the contraction of pig herds and an increase in on-farm feed production.

However, two additional issues pose challenges for the sector. First, animal product imports are growing, mainly for poultry meat, but also for pork and milk products. The second concern involves the farmer: not enough young people want to go into breeding to replenish the next generation of producers.

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