The rise in corn and soy prices is putting pressure on the cost of animal protein and leading the industry to review its formulations.

Volatility in corn and soybean prices has once again put pressure on the animal production chain in Brazil, and has increased the industry's search for alternatives to reduce costs without compromising zootechnical performance and productivity.

The topic will be at the center of the debates of 36th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian College of Animal Nutrition (CBNA) – Poultry, Swine and Cattle, which will be held between Tuesday (12) and Thursday (14), at the Anhembi District, in São Paulo (SP). The meeting will bring together representatives of the agribusiness, researchers, consultants and companies linked to the animal nutrition chain.

The sector's concern is growing in a scenario of global instability and frequent fluctuations in the prices of the main commodities used in feed formulation.

According to Bruno Reis de Carvalho, a zootechnician and poultry nutrition specialist at Seara, feed remains the main component of production costs in poultry farming. “Approximately 70% of the cost of chicken production is linked to animal feed. The base of the feed is still corn and soy, and the price of these ingredients ends up determining a large part of the production cost. The challenge is to find strategies that allow us to maintain performance while simultaneously improving economic efficiency,” he states.

Industry expands search for alternative ingredients.

Bruno Reis de Carvalho, animal scientist and poultry nutrition specialist at Seara: "Approximately 70% of the cost of chicken production is linked to animal feed" – Photo: Press Release

Among the strategies evaluated by the sector is the diversification of raw materials used in formulations. Ingredients such as sorghum and wheat have gained ground in certain market scenarios as a way to reduce dependence on corn and soy, especially during times of greater price pressure. “At certain times it is possible to use ingredients with better costs without losing performance. The idea is to work with more diversified formulations, always evaluating cost and productive results,” explains Carvalho.

In addition to the partial replacement of traditional ingredients, the industry is also discussing advancements in the industrial processing of animal feed, increased use of nutritional technologies, and artificial intelligence tools aimed at production efficiency.

The sector's expectation is to increase nutrient utilization and reduce waste within farms and agro-industries.

Efficiency gains importance in a scenario of tight margins.

The pursuit of efficiency comes at a time of increased pressure on profit margins in the animal protein supply chain, especially in segments that depend on grains for feed.

Fluctuations in agricultural commodity prices directly affect the costs of intensive poultry, pig, and cattle farming, leading companies to broaden their focus on technical and economic indicators related to feed conversion and productive performance.

The debate on return on investment in animal nutrition will take place on Tuesday (12), during a panel that will bring together industry representatives, researchers and sector experts.

The proposal aims to discuss strategies capable of increasing competitiveness and efficiency in the animal protein supply chain within a context of more volatile costs and greater demands for productivity.