United Kingdom: Market for Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets 2025

Market Size for Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets in the UK

In 2021, the UK lucerne meal and pellets market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Production of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets in the UK

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. Lucerne meal and pellets production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets

Exports from the UK

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets, when their volume decreased by -73.8% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 149% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets exports shrank significantly to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 121% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons) was the main destination for lucerne meal and pellets exports from the UK, with a 69% share of total exports. Moreover, lucerne meal and pellets exports to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), eightfold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Ireland stood at -6.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+64.6% per year) and the Netherlands (-27.6% per year).

In value terms, Ireland ($X) remains the key foreign market for lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets exports from the UK, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 28% share of total exports. It was followed by Sweden, with a 3.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Ireland stood at -2.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+60.9% per year) and Sweden (+3.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lucerne meal and pellets export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 21% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average export price increased by 52%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($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 Ireland (+4.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports of Lucerne (Alfalfa) Meal And Pellets

Imports into the UK

In 2021, purchases abroad of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets decreased by -9.1% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. In general, imports, however, saw a modest increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 101% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets imports expanded to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 109%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), Italy (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of lucerne meal and pellets imports to the UK, together accounting for 100% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +15.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, France ($X), Italy ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) appeared to be the largest lucerne meal and pellets suppliers to the UK, with a combined 100% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, France, with a CAGR of +13.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lucerne meal and pellets import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a mild slump. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Italy ($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 Netherlands (-0.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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