DSM-Firmenich Animal Nutrition and Health has released the results of the World Mycotoxin Survey from January to December 2025.
Mycotoxins are naturally produced by the fungi that can contaminate feed raw materials in the field and during storage. When ingested by animals, mycotoxins have a wide range of negative effects such as impaired reproduction, digestive disorders, carcinogenicity and reduced performance.
Since 2004, DSM-Firmenich Animal Nutrition and Health has analyzed thousands of global feed samples annually to understand and monitor contamination levels of the different mycotoxins in a variety of feed ingredients. This information is shared in the quarterly DSM-Firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey, which accurately identifies mycotoxin risks based on animal species and location.
Effective mycotoxin risk management should include frequent testing along with a multi-strategy mitigation approach.
In December 2025, a total of 25,626 samples were collected and analyzed from 95 countries around the world. Compared with 2024, results concluded that all six main mycotoxins increased, including aflatoxin, zearalenone, vomitoxin, fumonisins, T-2 mycotoxin and ochratoxin A.
In 2025, an increased number of regions were discovered to be at extreme risk including North and Central America, South Asia, parts of Europe, Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, China and Tiwan.
The mycotoxin risks that threaten feed quality and animal performance globally vary across regions worldwide, with multiple kinds of mycotoxins often occurring together.
The survey also includes further details on:
- Trends in mycotoxin occurrence over the years
- Prevalence levels for each mycotoxin in each region
- Global and local risk levels for each mycotoxin
- Risk levels posed to each species
- Comparison of prevalence levels from January-December 2024
- Insights on mycotoxin levels in grains and soy from major producing countries
Additionally, a range of key byproducts and alternative feed components were tested, analyzing metabolites found and their prevalence with numerous mycotoxins discovered. The global contamination of key by-products and alternative feed components is summarized in the DSM-Firmenich Mycotoxin Survey.
“The 2025 results show a continued mycotoxin challenge, with contamination rates rising for both aflatoxins and zearalenone, and average levels increasing across all major mycotoxins,” said Ursula Hofstetter, head of mycotoxin risk management at DSM-Firmenich. “We’re also seeing an expansion of extreme-risk regions reinforcing the importance of effective mycotoxin management strategies to support animal welfare, productivity, and the profitability of feed and animal protein production globally.”
