BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — EU feed demand is expected to tick up 2 million tonnes to a total 84 million tonnes for the 2019-20 marketing year, according to the European Commission’s EU feed protein balance sheet for 2019-20.

“Roughage, such as grass and silage maize, remains the main source of feed protein, representing 45% of total EU feed use, an increase of 2% compared to 2018-19,” the European Commission said. “The share of all oilseed meals has decreased by 1%, representing 25% of total feed use in the EU. Finally, cereals continue to be available in ample supply, at 20% of total feed use.”

The EU’s feed self-sufficiency has reached 78% due to the increased availability of roughage while at the same time its feed self-sufficiency is pressured by its lowered availability of rapeseed (meals).

“In terms of self-sufficiency, the EU is fully self-sufficient in roughage,” the European Commission said. “However, for oilseeds meals, the EU only produces 24% of what it needs to feed its livestock sector.”

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused a decrease in biofuel demand and a 7% drop of rapeseed availability, which was partially offset by increased soybean imports. It also decreased demand for beer, and in turn barley, weakening the malting sector. Yet a 6% increase of barley use was seen in feed.

This balance sheet report includes the EU and UK as the UK was still a member of the EU at the beginning of the marketing year.

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