Rising feed prices threaten poultry profits and strain dairy fodder supplies
Poultry producers are projected to lose roughly 15% as the cost of key feed ingredients spikes, while dairy farms in drought-affected areas struggle to find fodder.
Industry leaders report that soaring prices for mustard meal, deoiled rice bran meal, corn DDGS, groundnut meal and maize are squeezing margins for both poultry and dairy sectors. Feed manufacturers face reduced demand as producers cut back on expensive rations. Associations are urging the government to relax maize import rules and to make unfit foodgrain stocks available for animal feed. Competition with ethanol producers for the limited maize harvest, which fell after a weak monsoon, is intensifying the pressure.
Why it matters
Higher feed costs could raise food prices and hurt farmers' livelihoods, affecting the broader food supply chain.
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