Why mash feed is a theme at the World Economic Forum

You wouldn't immediately think that something like mash feed would be on the agenda of the World Economic Forum. However, the Dutch supplier Duynie was invited to share knowledge about the optimal valorisation of residual flows from the food industry at this prestigious event. Innovation is not always about inventing something new. Sometimes it is simply a matter of bringing an age-old agricultural principle into the public spotlight.

The World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos, Switzerland, this week. An event with a lot of prestige, but which also often causes a lot of irritation for some. Guests and speakers come from all over the world. Prime Minister Dick Schoof has been sent by the Dutch cabinet, as have two VVD ministers. The other coalition parties probably did not send any delegates because they find it too elitist a party.

Duynie also received an invitation to update the elite corps present - mostly CEOs of multinationals and ministers - on mash feed. Well, mash feed? At the Cosun subsidiary they prefer to talk about circular residual flows, or better yet 'co-products'. Admittedly, the terminology mash feed also sounds a bit old-fashioned.  

Old fashioned principle
The principle is also old-fashioned. The use of residual flows in livestock farming has been used for centuries. Kitchen waste and residual products from grain, for example, were not so much fed because this was sustainable, but mainly because it is a practical and also cheap solution. Pigs in particular are the ultimate circular animals, but cattle and chickens can also digest residual flows very well. With the industrialization of agriculture in the previous century, the professionalization of residual flows also increased. 

Animal feed is often still associated with deforestation of the Amazon. This image has probably not arisen for nothing, although many measures have been taken in recent years to guarantee the use of deforestation-free soy. In addition to the negative connotations, animal feed also has another side that is often still unknown to the general public. And that is the message that meat and milk are produced by converting, for example, bread and pastry waste, steam peels from the potato sector and brewers' grains. Residual flows that often only animals (can) upgrade to human food.

Becoming increasingly important
In a world where the availability of (agricultural) raw materials is under pressure due to increasing prosperity, a growing world population and climate change, the use of circular residual flows is becoming increasingly important. In almost all industries and sectors. Certainly also due to the arrival of CSRD legislation. The CO2 footprint of dairy products and meat is increasingly being mapped. Chains are expected to reduce emissions and farmers are encouraged to move along with this. The age-old agricultural principle of residual storms will therefore be further developed and applied more widely in the coming years. As a result, it has probably also ended up on the agenda of the World Economic Forum.

Duynie is a well-known supplier of residual flows, but certainly not the only player in our country who is skilled in this. However, the fact that Duynie was invited to inform the prestigious company in Davos about this is a signal that the Dutch agricultural sector is doing well globally and still clearly has a guiding function. 

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness and Food Business. He also closely follows the raw materials markets and focuses on animal proteins such as dairy and meat. He regularly interviews leaders from the agricultural sector and the food world.

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