U.S.: Market for Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets 2025

Market Size for Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets in the U.S.

In 2021, the U.S. lucerne meal and pellets market increased by 0.6% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after five years of decline. In general, consumption continues to indicate a perceptible downturn. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets in the U.S.

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets production fell modestly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, production recorded a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 6.6%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets

Exports from the U.S.

In 2021, approx. X tons of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets were exported from the United States; reducing by -21.6% compared with 2020 figures. In general, exports continue to indicate a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets exports shrank dramatically to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons) was the main destination for lucerne meal and pellets exports from the United States, with a 71% share of total exports. Moreover, lucerne meal and pellets exports to Japan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by China (X tons), with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Japan totaled -5.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+34.2% per year) and China (+7.4% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X) remains the key foreign market for lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets exports from the United States, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by China, with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Japan totaled -3.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+41.1% per year) and China (+8.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lucerne meal and pellets export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 2.9% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) and the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to South Korea ($X per ton) and Japan ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United Arab Emirates (+5.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets

Imports into the U.S.

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets, when their volume decreased by -12.6% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets imports shrank slightly to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +47.9% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Canada (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of lucerne meal and pellets to the United States, with a 86% share of total imports. Moreover, lucerne meal and pellets imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Mexico (X tons), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Canada stood at +3.1%.

In value terms, Canada ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets to the United States, comprising 79% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($X), with a 20% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Canada amounted to +4.2%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lucerne meal and pellets import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 14% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($X per ton), while the price for Canada stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+10.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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