Feed costs remain the main factor influencing the profitability of Romanian farms, particularly in the pig, cattle, and poultry sectors. According to Eurostat – Agricultural Price Indices 2024, compound feed prices in the EU recorded a moderate decrease compared with 2023 but remain 15–25% above the averages of the years prior to the energy crises. The same trend is confirmed by the National Institute of Statistics, which highlights a stabilisation of costs, though not a full return to pre-2020 levels.

At the European level, the DG AGRI – Short-Term Outlook 2024 analysis clearly shows that volatility in cereal and protein crop markets continues to be reflected in feed prices. For Romanian farms, the high cost of vegetable protein and the dependency on extra-EU imports represent a competitive pressure, especially in the pig sector.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, modernising feeding systems and using optimised feed formulas based on nutritional analysis can reduce consumption by 5–12%, depending on species and technology. Farms that invest in automated dosing and control equipment achieve better feed conversion levels and reduce losses.

Feed prices remain a key barometer of farm resilience. Optimising formulations and improving efficiency will be essential for maintaining competitiveness in 2024–2025.

(Photo: Freepik)