The dehydrated fodder sector in Spain has strong growth opportunities in Asia and Africa thanks to increased imports in key markets such as China, South Korea and Morocco.
The conclusion is drawn from the dehydrated fodder foreign trade bulletin for the first four-month period of the season (April-July 2024) prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA).
The main export destinations in the 23/24 season have registered notable changes compared to previous years. One of the most notable markets was China, which increased its imports by 36,217 tons, or 2,524% over the previous season. This reinforces the positioning of Spanish forages in the Asian country, where the growth in demand for high quality products in the animal feed sector continues to increase.
Increase in Dehydrated Alfalfa Exports to Asia
Another significant growth is that of exports to Morocco, which has received 14,122 tons of Spanish fodder imports. This is 365% more than in the previous period.
South Korea has also increased its purchases by 14,502 tons, or 264%. South Korea values the nutritional benefits of dehydrated alfalfa, an essential resource for improving the quality of its livestock production.
Growing Demand in Africa and the Middle East
On the African continent, Morocco is positioned as a growing destination for dehydrated fodder, with an increase of 14,122 tons in imports, representing a 365% increase. The expansion of the livestock sector in Morocco has boosted this demand, in which Spanish dehydrated fodder plays a key role.
In the Middle East, Kuwait has increased its purchases by 3,351 tons, due to adverse weather conditions that limit fodder production in the region, making imports a necessity.
Falling Exports in the United Arab Emirates
On the other hand, demand in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has fallen considerably, with a 70% reduction in imports. This country, which previously led as the first export destination, has experienced a drop in demand that could be due to factors such as changes in import policy or increased competition from other fodder supplying countries in the region.
Export of Dehydrated Forages to Non-EU Countries
MAPA’s analysis confirms that Spanish fodder exports are mainly concentrated in countries outside the European Union, where unit export values have been 7.4% higher compared to intra-EU destinations.
Consolidated trend
This analysis by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food shows the importance of non-European markets for alfalfa and dehydrated fodder exports. The trend towards these markets continues to consolidate and shows the potential for expansion in strategic regions for Spanish alfalfa.
