France (595K tonnes) remains the largest lucerne meal and pellets consuming country in the European Union, accounting for 36% of total consumption. Moreover, lucerne meal and pellets consumption in France exceeded the figures recorded by the region's second-largest consumer, Germany (206K tonnes), threefold. Italy (186K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 11% share.
From 2007 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of volume in France was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Germany (-4.8% per year) and Italy (+3.2% per year).
In value terms, France ($111M), Germany ($67M) and Italy ($44M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2018, together comprising 57% of the total market. The UK, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Romania, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Greece and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.
The countries with the highest levels of lucerne meal and pellets per capita consumption in 2018 were France (9,112 kg per 1000 persons), Ireland (6,766 kg per 1000 persons) and Belgium (5,558 kg per 1000 persons).
From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of lucerne meal and pellets per capita consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Ireland, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Production in the EU
In 2018, approx. 1.9M tonnes of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets were produced in the European Union; remaining stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, lucerne meal and pellets production continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2012 when production volume increased by 13% year-to-year. The volume of lucerne meal and pellets production peaked at 2.7M tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2018, production failed to regain its momentum.
In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets production stood at $446M in 2018 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, lucerne meal and pellets production continues to indicate a perceptible setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008 when production volume increased by 3.5% year-to-year. In that year, lucerne meal and pellets production reached its peak level of $696M. From 2009 to 2018, lucerne meal and pellets production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Production By Country in the EU
The countries with the highest volumes of lucerne meal and pellets production in 2018 were France (755K tonnes), Spain (393K tonnes) and Italy (318K tonnes), together comprising 78% of total production.
From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of lucerne meal and pellets production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by France, while the other leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.
Exports in the EU
In 2018, approx. 709K tonnes of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets were exported in the European Union; increasing by 9.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, lucerne meal and pellets exports, however, continue to indicate a slight deduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2012 with an increase of 63% year-to-year. In that year, lucerne meal and pellets exports reached their peak of 927K tonnes. From 2013 to 2018, the growth of lucerne meal and pellets exports failed to regain its momentum.
In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets exports stood at $165M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. In general, lucerne meal and pellets exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2012 with an increase of 76% y-o-y. In that year, lucerne meal and pellets exports reached their peak of $269M. From 2013 to 2018, the growth of lucerne meal and pellets exports failed to regain its momentum.
Exports by Country
Spain (255K tonnes) and France (218K tonnes) represented roughly 67% of total exports of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets in 2018. Italy (135K tonnes) took a 19% share (based on tonnes) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (7.5%).
From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Spain, while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.
In value terms, France ($53M), Spain ($53M) and Italy ($33M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2018, together comprising 84% of total exports.
France experienced the highest growth rate of exports, among the main exporting countries over the last eleven-year period, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices by Country
The lucerne meal and pellets export price in the European Union stood at $233 per tonne in 2018, picking up by 3.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 an increase of 47% y-o-y. The level of export price peaked at $290 per tonne in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2018, export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Italy ($246 per tonne) and France ($241 per tonne), while Spain ($206 per tonne) and the Netherlands ($225 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.
From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports in the EU
The imports amounted to 476K tonnes in 2018, picking up by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, lucerne meal and pellets imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when imports increased by 40% y-o-y. Over the period under review, lucerne meal and pellets imports reached their peak figure at 503K tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2018, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, lucerne meal and pellets imports totaled $112M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total imports indicated a modest expansion from 2007 to 2018: its value decreased at an average annual rate of -0.5% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, lucerne meal and pellets imports increased by +57.1% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 33% y-o-y. In that year, lucerne meal and pellets imports reached their peak and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.
Imports by Country
The imports of the four major importers of lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets, namely Germany, Belgium, the UK and France, represented more than half of total import. The Netherlands (38K tonnes) held a 7.9% share (based on tonnes) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Ireland (6.8%) and Portugal (6%).
From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by the Netherlands, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Germany ($22M), the UK ($18M) and Belgium ($15M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, with a combined 49% share of total imports. France, the Netherlands, Ireland and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.
In terms of the main importing countries, the Netherlands experienced the highest growth rate of imports, over the last eleven years, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices by Country
The lucerne meal and pellets import price in the European Union stood at $235 per tonne in 2018, increasing by 6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when the import price increased by 38% y-o-y. The level of import price peaked at $291 per tonne in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, import prices remained at a lower figure.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in the UK ($256 per tonne) and Germany ($245 per tonne), while Portugal ($172 per tonne) and Belgium ($214 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.
From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
