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Feed companies are planning to raise prices by €5/t to €7/t.
A worldwide scarcity of vitamins is being blamed for much of the hike.
Irish feed manufacturers are reporting a difficulty in securing enough vitamin A and E to add to feed following a BASF factory fire in Germany. The factory is responsible for manufacturing most of the world’s vitamin supply.
“Nearly every beef, sheep and dairy feed would have vitamins in it and I’m trying to contact vitamin companies every day of the week to find another supplier,” said a spokesperson for a Leinster-based feed company.
“What’s been highlighted is a €3/t increase for vitamins, and then with the increased price of the hulls as well, we’re looking at €5/t to €7/t increase on all feed.”
Another feed company spokesperson added: “It’s one of the biggest problems facing us at the moment.
“There is a total scarcity of these vitamins on the global market and we expect to see a price increase of €5/t to €6/t on feed because of it.”
A BASF spokesperson said that since the fire it has been operating under a force majeure and distributing a limited amount of vitamins from its stock reserves.
“There has definitely been an impact but we do not expect that the market will run below critical levels,” he said. The factory is due to reopen in March but it will be some months before it can recommence vitamin production.
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