Many new members for ABZ Animal Nutrition

ABZ Diervoeding has never had as much turnover as in 2018. The compound feed company also had many new members. The latter is striking, because the compound feed market is currently shrinking.

ABZ Diervoeding's turnover rose to €2018 million in 210 and the Nijkerk-based company also managed to make a profit of €1,5 million. That is €0,5 million less than last year. Nevertheless, ABZ Diervoeding speaks of an excellent result, given that a lot was invested in innovation last year.

In addition, the cooperative welcomed 94 new members, bringing the total number of members of ABZ Diervoeding to 1.748 members. That is an increase of 5% compared to 2017. It is striking that this is not in line with the compound feed sales, which fell by 2018 tonnes in 5.000 to 619.000 tonnes (-0,8%).

Strong growth in organic feeds
The decrease in compound feed sales is mainly due to the poultry sector (-8%). Sales did increase in other sectors; pig farming showed an increase of 3,5%, ruminants recorded a plus of 2% and the organic compound feed sector increased by 20%. Although the increase in the latter group is significant, sales of organic compound feed are still modest; it is only 1% of total sales.

ABZ Diervoeding joined forces with Gelre IJsselstreek (GIJS) in 2018 and subsequently integrated the pig branch of GIJS. This is also a reason for the increase in the number of members. "Nevertheless, the majority of the new members come from regular recruitment," says Marcel Roordink, the general director of ABZ Diervoeding.

Reduce cost
Roordink also indicates that the decline in compound feed sales in the poultry sector is mainly due to the fact that a number of poultry farmers are taking the mixing process into their own hands. They hope to lower the cost somewhat. "Since we are a cooperative, we want the best for our members. This means that in many cases we do supply the raw materials for these poultry farmers. However, this is only paper trade and therefore does not come to our factory."

Tim Roetman

Tim Roetman has been working as a junior editor at livestock farming since November 2018 Boerenbusiness† He mainly writes about (price) developments in the pig and dairy market.

t.roetman@boerenbusiness. Nl

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