Annual demand for animal feed in Bangladesh is projected to reach 10 million tonnes by 2030, up from the current level of approximately 7.5 million tonnes, as demand for poultry, fish and meat continues to grow, according to a study by Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU).
The projection was presented at a seminar titled “Feed Growth Supporting Bangladesh’s Protein Demand”, organised jointly by the Feed Industries Association of Bangladesh (FIAB) and the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) at Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort in Dhaka.
According to the BAU study, poultry will account for the largest share of the projected feed demand, followed by aquaculture and cattle.
| Sector | Share of Projected Feed Demand by 2030 |
|---|---|
| Poultry | 65% |
| Fish farming | 20% |
| Cattle | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
The country’s animal feed industry supplies nutritionally balanced feed to support livestock growth, health and productivity. Major feed ingredients include rice bran, maize, soybean meal, fish meal and other locally available raw materials.
Focus Shifts Towards Protein Efficiency
Md Safiqur Rahaman Shishir, head and associate professor of the Department of Animal Nutrition at BAU, said Bangladesh’s feed industry should be assessed not only by feed prices but also by how efficiently feed is converted into edible animal protein.
Speaking at the seminar, Shishir highlighted the importance of improving feed efficiency as Bangladesh works towards greater protein security.
He noted that the cheapest feed does not necessarily result in the lowest cost of producing animal protein. This distinction could become increasingly important as the country’s demand for animal-based protein rises and the feed industry expands.
Improving feed efficiency can help producers make better use of feed ingredients while potentially supporting productivity and reducing the amount of feed required to produce a given quantity of animal protein.
Soybean Remains Important Feed Ingredient
Khabibur Rahman, Bangladesh market lead of USSEC, highlighted the importance of the country’s soybean value chain to the animal feed sector.
The soybean complex includes whole soybeans, which can be processed to produce soybean meal for animal feed as well as soybean oil for human consumption and other applications.
USSEC provides technical support, conducts workshops and seminars, shares technical knowledge and develops partnerships with industry stakeholders to support the sector.
Rahman also emphasised the connection between animal health and food quality. According to him, improving animal health can contribute to better-quality food for human consumption and provide consumers with healthier sources of protein.
Aquaculture Key to Protein Supply
Fish and aquatic animals are particularly important to Bangladesh’s protein supply. Around 60% of the animal protein consumed in the country comes from fish and other aquatic sources, according to Rahman.
The importance of aquaculture means that improving feed quality and efficiency in fish farming will be an important part of meeting future protein demand.
USSEC provides technical assistance to fish farmers and aquaculture producers in Bangladesh as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s aquatic protein supply.
Feed Costs Remain a Major Challenge
Md Delwar Hossain, secretary of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, said animal protein is essential for building a healthy and well-nourished population.
He described quality feed as a foundation for producing safe and high-quality animal protein.
The cost of feed is particularly significant for producers. Md Shah Alam Khan, director general of the Department of Livestock Services, said feed represents approximately 70% to 75% of total production costs in Bangladesh’s poultry and livestock sectors.
With feed demand expected to rise by around 2.5 million tonnes between now and 2030, the industry’s ability to improve feed efficiency, manage input costs and maintain nutritional quality will become increasingly important.
The projected expansion reflects the growing role of poultry, aquaculture and livestock in meeting Bangladesh’s domestic demand for animal protein. Strengthening feed production and efficiency could therefore become a key component of the country’s broader food and protein security strategy.
