Rising feed costs push Egypt’s meat, poultry sectors to the brink of crisis

EGYPT – Egypt’s meat and poultry industries are on the verge of collapse, with soaring feed costs sending shockwaves through the entire sector, according to a recent press briefing by Hussein Abdel Rahman Abu Saddam, head of the Egyptian Farmers Syndicate.

The situation has reached a tipping point, as farmers are being forced out of business, exacerbating an already precarious crisis. 

According to Saddam, Egypt’s reliance on imported feed crops, such as soybeans and yellow corn, has now reached nearly 90%. 

The shortage of these essential ingredients is threatening to disrupt local production, leaving farmers scrambling to meet the needs of the livestock sector. 

The rising price of feedstuffs, including straw and bran, has only compounded the problem in recent weeks, adding further pressure on an already strained industry.

This crisis has roots in several factors. Climate change has disrupted agricultural yields, making crop production increasingly unpredictable. 

Meanwhile, ongoing geopolitical tensions have complicated international trade, further deepening Egypt’s vulnerability. 

As a result, feed prices have surged, causing a more than 40% increase in red meat prices early this year.

The consequences are already being felt in the livestock sector. Farmers, unable to absorb the mounting costs, are resorting to mass slaughter of their animals, abandoning their businesses in droves. 

Although exact figures are unavailable, the sale of live cattle has seen a significant drop in price, with beef now averaging EGP 160 to 170 (US$3.15 to US$3.35) per kilogram. 

According to Saddam, many breeders abandon the industry entirely due to unsustainable costs and poor economic returns.

The Egyptian government has pledged to support the struggling feed sector in response to the crisis. Kamel Al-Wazir, the Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development, recently announced that feed mills would be eligible for subsidies to stabilise the industry. 

With approximately 1,100 feed mills in operation nationwide, the government also plans to simplify the registration process for new feed products, easing administrative burdens.

Furthermore, officials are exploring alternative solutions, including the use of Azolla, an aquatic plant rich in protein, to help address the feed crop shortage. 

With its high potential to provide a sustainable feed source, Azolla could play a pivotal role in transforming Egypt’s feed industry. 

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