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2024 marked a year of intense disruption in global poultry markets, as High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) became not only a veterinary crisis but a full-blown economic and logistical disruptor. According to Alltech’s Agri-Food Outlook 2025, the outbreak had far-reaching consequences—from mass depopulations to trade bans—altering protein markets and reshaping global feed flows.
Though poultry still accounted for 42.7% of total global feed production, sector growth slowed as regions like North America and Asia-Pacific battled recurring HPAI waves. China alone saw a feed production drop of over 6 million metric tons, largely due to disruptions in its hog and poultry sectors.
In the United States, HPAI decimated egg-laying flocks, with losses expected to raise egg prices by over 20%. The USDA responded with a $1 billion strategy—including $500 million for biosecurity measures and $400 million in direct farmer support. Europe, Latin America, and East Asia also scrambled to launch emergency vaccination and bio-containment campaigns.
Consumer behavior quickly responded. With reduced broiler supply, demand pivoted toward eggs and alternative proteins—altering feed composition trends. Even the dairy sector was indirectly impacted, as enhanced on-farm biosecurity complicated routine operations, suppressing feed uptake in some regions.
Yet amid the turmoil, some segments thrived. The pet food industry grew 4.5% globally, fueled by resilient demand for premium and functional products. Meanwhile, broiler feed in Latin America expanded by 3.6%, supported by export-led growth and declining feed ingredient prices, particularly maize and soybean.
The broader lesson? HPAI’s impact extends beyond farms—it reshapes trade, prices, and even consumer habits. For feed producers, it reinforces the need for agility: disease surveillance, supply chain decentralization, and diversified protein strategies are no longer optional—they’re essential.
As 2025 begins, the poultry sector remains under pressure, but long-term forecasts still point to modest global growth of 2.5–3%, according to market analyst Sherrard. Whether this materializes will depend on how well the sector can manage risk, restore confidence, and reengineer resilience.
Sources: Alltech Agri-Food Outlook 2025; Sherrard, J. (2024, unpublished)
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