The global poultry industry is evolving. Here are a few trends that Amlan International has identified.

“One of the biggest things we're seeing right now is antibiotic free products - that's happening around the world,” said Fred Kao, Vice President of Global Sales for Amlan International. “Also, in specific countries, organic product is definitely gaining some momentum.”

The trend is growing as consumers become more conscious about eating heathy food and more conscientious about residues in products.

Antibiotic free and no antibiotic ever (NAE) products are making gains, and in the US, Kao said the poultry industry is close to producing 50% antibiotic free products. Looking internationally, he said China has 100% antibiotic free products for all animal species. And antibiotic free has grown sharply in Brazil, in part due to their poultry exports into Europe.

The EU is one of several regions around the world that have implemented stricter import rules related to antibiotic use that have taken effect early in 2022.

“What happens is, for every producer who is sending products into the EU - mostly these come from Thailand and Brazil - they will have to be 100% antibiotic free,” he said. “This really changes the mindset of the producers in those two countries, in particular, because they are the biggest exporting countries to the EU. So this is going to bring a huge dynamic shift to the poultry industry.”

Helping producers tackle new challenges

To help producers transition to antibiotic free production, Amlan International has several products in their portfolio that can act as antibiotic alternatives, including Varium.

“What Varium brings to the animal is not just better intestinal gut health, but it gives the producer the choice of not having to use multiple products like essential oils, probiotics, prebiotics and other things, just trying to bridge the gap,” he said. “In Varium, we have one product that does everything needed to help produce an antibiotic free product. Plus, the producer will be very happy because we also protect their bottom line.”

Feed is highest input cost

“Feed prices have gone through the roof because of the pandemic - because of logistical issues and some of the other things we're seeing right now or because producers are experiencing a shortage of laborers or because everything has gone up in price,” he explained. “Having better feed conversion rate (FCR) means everything to producers.”

Protecting animals during the very last stage of their growth or developmental life is very important, especially given the current feed investment.

“You don't want to lose your birds the last week of its life,” he said. “That's where we come in, we offer better performance and at the same time we protect the animals. Every pound counts when it goes out.”

All of Amlan International’s products focus on internal intestinal gut health. Through adsorption, their products rid an animals’ body of harmful bacteria to achieve better livability and efficiency.