The 2024 dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey reveals alarming insights into the growing threat of mycotoxin contamination in animal feed, a concern that extends far beyond animal health to impact global profitability. With over 20,000 samples analyzed from across the world, the report highlights the economic risks posed by mycotoxins, including decreased feed efficiency, increased health costs, and lower productivity in various livestock sectors. In light of these findings, the report emphasizes the importance of proactive, data-driven mycotoxin management strategies to protect both animal welfare and profitability in an increasingly competitive market.

Latest Insights from the dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey 2024

As global feed costs surge and efficiency becomes the new currency in livestock production, the 2024 dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey brings critical clarity to a quietly growing issue: mycotoxin contamination in animal feed—and its significant economic toll.

With over 20,000 samples analyzed across all continents, the survey is the most comprehensive global dataset on mycotoxin occurrence. Its findings underscore that mycotoxins are not just an animal health concern—they are a profitability disruptor across the value chain.

Understanding the Economic Impact

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi that commonly contaminate grains and feedstuffs. Their effects may be invisible, but they’re costly:

• Feed conversion drops

Contaminated feed reduces nutrient absorption and efficiency, directly affecting average daily gain and carcass yield.

• Animal health deteriorates

Mycotoxins suppress immune function, increasing disease susceptibility and veterinary costs.

• Reproduction suffers

In breeding herds, especially swine and dairy, toxins like zearalenone (ZEN) cause fertility issues, abortions, and irregular cycles.

• Output is inconsistent

In ruminants, mycotoxins impair rumen function and milk production, while in poultry and aquaculture, growth rates and feed intake suffer.

The economic implications are staggering. For aquaculture alone, annual global losses are estimated at $5 billion, and similar productivity declines are seen in monogastric and ruminant systems worldwide.

Regional Trends: Where Is Risk Rising?

The 2024 survey confirms that Fusarium mycotoxins—particularly DON (deoxynivalenol), fumonisins (FUM), and ZEN—remain the most prevalent globally. However, the risk profile is shifting, with regions like:

• North and Central America

• South Asia and China

• Southern Europe

showing increased contamination and multi-toxin co-occurrence. This means multiple toxins are appearing in the same sample, heightening the toxicological and economic risks.

In many cases, contamination levels remain subclinical—undetectable through performance metrics until cumulative effects begin to erode profit margins.

The Business Case for Proactive Mycotoxin Management

What sets this year’s report apart is its emphasis on data-driven prevention as a competitive advantage.

Advanced screening tools like Spectrum 380® and Spectrum Top® 50—capable of detecting up to 800 different toxins and metabolites—are becoming key components in feed quality programs. These technologies empower businesses to:

• Identify contaminated sources before inclusion

• Optimize supplier selection and storage practices

• Apply tailored detoxification solutions

• Reduce production volatility linked to feed quality

The return on investment in such strategies is clear: better-performing animals, fewer health setbacks, and improved cost predictability.

Strategic Outlook for 2025 and Beyond

For animal health and nutrition companies, feed producers, integrators, and financial decision-makers, mycotoxin control must move beyond compliance. It’s a strategic lever for ensuring performance stability, safeguarding animal welfare, and protecting profitability.

The dsm-firmenich 2024 survey is more than a report—it’s a risk map. It allows stakeholders to anticipate, adapt, and act with precision.

In a market increasingly driven by sustainability, transparency, and cost efficiency, mitigating mycotoxins isn’t just good practice—it’s smart economics.

Access the full 2024 World Mycotoxin Survey here:

Mycotoxin Survey Q4 2024 – dsm-firmenich