Termination scheme is reflected in ABZ Animal Nutrition's annual figures

ABZ Diervoeding sold 2024 tons of compound feed in 927.000, just like the year before. This stable figure suggests that the feed cooperative is in calm waters, but nothing could be further from the truth. Sales of pig feed shrank considerably. However, this could be compensated for by higher sales volumes of poultry and, in particular, organic feed.

Due to declining animal numbers as a result of the termination schemes (Lbv and Lbv-plus), sales of pig feed fell by 13% to 179.000 tonnes. Sales of poultry feed, on the other hand, rose by 5% to 355.000 tonnes, making it the most important animal category. Cattle feed also recorded a modest increase with 340.000 tonnes. Including contract production and loose raw materials, 1,142 million tonnes were sold, a fraction less than a year earlier. Due to the merger with De Valk Wekerom, organic sales rose by no less than 40% to almost 50.000 tonnes.

ABZ Diervoeding recruited 225 new members last year. Due to a sign-up campaign by inactive members, the number of members fell from 113 to 2.807 last year. Together, they may distribute €1,9 million, which results in a back payment of €3 per purchased ton of compound feed. That is €1 less than last year. According to the cooperative, the financial result for 2024 was sufficient. The profit did take a big step back and fell from €9,5 to €5 million. After deducting the back payment, a portion is added to the reserve for making investments. With 73%, the cooperative has excellent solvency.

Merger with Vitelia is in no hurry
In 2024, a strategic partnership was started with the southern feed cooperative Vitelia, with the intention of achieving a merger. In the annual report, director Marcel Roordink states that there is no rush with this process. "Both cooperatives are acting well independently. It is mainly the long term that is leading in this. Carefulness comes before speed, but of course we continue to work." The approach deviates somewhat from previous mergers in recent years where rapid action has been taken.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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