Europe’s feed sector is no longer looking at trade policy only through the lens of market access. For Alexander Döring, Secretary General of FEFAC, the bigger question is now supply security: how dependent the sector has become on a limited number of countries for critical feed inputs, and how exposed that makes animal nutrition to geopolitical disruption.

Speaking at TUYEM 2026 in Antalya Belek, Döring evaluated the European feed industry’s trade policies, US-EU relations and external dependence on critical feed additives. His remarks came as the congress brought global feed industry representatives together under the theme “Central Turkiye”, with discussions focusing on raw material supply, sustainable production and the future of feed.

Döring said global trade is entering a more protectionist period, with countries increasingly turning to defensive trade measures. In response, he noted that the European Union is trying to adapt by accelerating free trade agreements and diversifying its commercial relationships.

Although US-EU trade discussions often focus on agri-food disputes, Döring said the picture is different when it comes to feed. According to him, the United States has a large feed trade surplus with the EU. He stated that last year, US exports of corn and other feed materials to the EU increased by 30%, exceeding 4 million tons, the highest level recorded in the last 20 years.

Döring also highlighted the importance of trade agreements with India and Ukraine for the feed sector. He said the new free trade agreement with Ukraine is particularly critical, given Europe’s dependence on the Black Sea region for feed raw materials and agricultural supply chains. In this context, TUYEM’s “Central Turkiye” theme also reflected the growing importance of regional positioning, logistics and access to strategic supply corridors for the feed industry.

However, one of the main strategic risks for Europe lies in feed additives. Döring warned that the European feed industry remains highly dependent on a limited number of countries for several essential inputs.

“We are almost 100% dependent on China for key additives such as vitamins and amino acids”

He noted that there is no longer any vitamin C producer within the EU, while vitamin B1 production is also at risk. This dependence, he said, creates vulnerability for the sector, especially at a time when geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions and logistics disruptions are reshaping global supply chains.