Europe: Market for Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets 2024

Market Size for Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets in Europe

The Europe lucerne meal and pellets market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, showed a noticeable slump. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets in Europe

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets production expanded to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a perceptible setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets

Exports in Europe

In 2021, exports of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets in Europe rose markedly to X tons, surging by 9.7% against the year before. Overall, exports, however, recorded a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 35%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) was the largest exporter of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets, making up 53% of total exports. Italy (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by France (X tons). All these countries together took near 39% share of total exports. The following exporters - the Netherlands (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) - together made up 4.8% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to lucerne meal and pellets exports from Spain stood at -1.3%. At the same time, Bulgaria (+28.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +28.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, France (-3.0%), Italy (-4.8%) and the Netherlands (-6.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Spain (+6.2 p.p.) and Bulgaria (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Italy (-5.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the largest lucerne meal and pellets supplier in Europe, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Italy ($X), with a 25% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 13% share.

In Spain, lucerne meal and pellets exports contracted by an average annual rate of -2.4% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Italy (-6.1% per year) and France (-3.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 7.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a slight downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in the Netherlands ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) and Italy ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+0.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets

Imports in Europe

After two years of decline, overseas purchases of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets increased by 17% to X tons in 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 24%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons), France (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Portugal (X tons), the UK (X tons) and Greece (X tons) was the main importer of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets in Europe, making up 77% of total import. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), making up a 4.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Greece (with a CAGR of +10.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lucerne meal and pellets importing markets in Europe were Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and the UK ($X), together comprising 45% of total imports. These countries were followed by France, Portugal, Greece and the Netherlands, which together accounted for a further 35%.

Greece, with a CAGR of +10.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 3.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the import price increased by 9.5% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Greece (+0.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform