Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing industry in the world increasing by nearly 9% annually in the last decade, and now worth us$60 billion globally. Maintaining this growth rate however requires alternative feed sources and grains could have a bigger role, according to immediate past president of the world aquaculture society, dr Geoff Allan.

"During the second half of the 20th Century, world consumers' fears about food shortages were relayed by experts; food security was the main concern. Nowadays consumers seem to focus exclusively on food safety," said Bernard Valluis, president of the Grain and Feed Trade Association, in the December issue of GaftaWorld.

There are not many tools available to predict the future, especially if – like the report of the Directorate General of the European commission – you want to look more than five years ahead. Still, the European Commission gives it a try twice a year. This article sums up the main conclusions of late last year's predictions to 2011.

A roundtable conference with research experts from all over the world defined innovation priorities needed to respond to growing demands for meat protein in five agricultural regions of the world.

Increased preference for fortified foods in Europe is boosting growth in the amino acids market. Frost & Sullivan found that the European amino acids market was valued at €1.006 billion (US$1.358 billion) in 2005 and estimates this to reach €1.510 billion ($1.944 billion) in 2012.

Growth in world population and increased affluence among people in developing countries have resulted in dietary changes and massive increases in animal and feed production over the past two decades. Thus far, the supply of raw materials, mainly maize and soybean meal have kept up with this growth. ASA technical director Robert Swick at the 3^rd International Broiler Nutritionists' Conference in Auckland, New Zealand presented an analysis of the future balance between supply and demand of feed ingr...

Despite the increase of raw material prices since last year, the Portuguese feed industry remains confident. Twenty-five to 30% of the market of the market is now in the hands of international groups and an increasing number of compounders are integrated into strong farmer owned groups.

The profile of risk and risk-related issues has risen markedly in the last 15 years. There is a growing recognition of the importance of proper risk management and increasing interest in how this can best be applied to governance. At the Food Safety Conference held in Washington DC, David Byrne highlighted the differences in risk perception between the EU and the USA. Here, a summary of his comments.

With 3.7 million cattle, 11.1 million pigs, over 100 million chickens and a few million other farm animals, The Netherlands is more than self sufficient in it production of meat, milk and eggs. Since all these animals needed to be fed, this created a thriving compound feed industry.

At present, nutrition contributes up to 75 to 80% of the total costs of an intensive ostrich production unit. Any lowering of feed costs will have a major impact on the profitability of a commercial ostrich production unit.