Italy: Market for Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets 2025

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

In 2021, the Italian lucerne meal and pellets market decreased by -47.1% to $X, falling for the fourth consecutive year after four years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a deep reduction. Lucerne meal and pellets consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets in Italy

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets production fell dramatically to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 172% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

Exports of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets

Exports from Italy

Lucerne meal and pellets exports from Italy contracted markedly to X tons in 2021, which is down by -17.6% compared with 2020. In general, exports saw a perceptible descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 132% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets exports fell modestly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 89% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons), Japan (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main destinations of lucerne meal and pellets exports from Italy, together comprising 52% of total exports. Greece, South Korea, Austria, Germany, France, the Netherlands, China, Cyprus, Switzerland and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +138.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for lucerne meal and pellets exported from Italy were Japan ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and the UK ($X), with a combined 48% share of total exports. Greece, South Korea, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, China, Cyprus and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

China, with a CAGR of +150.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lucerne meal and pellets export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a mild slump. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+5.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets

Imports into Italy

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets decreased by -37.9% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports showed a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 73% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets imports rose slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 65%. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, France (X tons) constituted the largest lucerne meal and pellets supplier to Italy, accounting for a 70% share of total imports. Moreover, lucerne meal and pellets imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Austria (X tons), threefold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from France amounted to -11.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Austria (+35.4% per year) and the Netherlands (+32.6% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets to Italy, comprising 73% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Austria, with an 8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from France stood at -6.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+33.3% per year) and Austria (+50.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lucerne meal and pellets import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 68% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, lucerne meal and pellets import price increased by +109.6% against 2018 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Austria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+13.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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