UK farm compound feedingstuffs costs
UK farm compound feedingstuffs costs stood at £4,361.84m in 2025, according to GOV.UK official statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Farm income and yields table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1973 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Farm income and yields table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total intermediate consumption | 21,624.43 | 21,293.54 | 21,999.39 | 21,719.25 | 18,613.02 | 16,939.16 | 17,264.94 | 17,117.51 | 15,919.91 | 15,009.62 | |
| Animal feed | 7,060.69 | 7,092.5 | 7,638.39 | 8,220.58 | 6,629.1 | 5,791.01 | 5,618.17 | 5,668.4 | 5,062.79 | 4,464.25 | |
| Compound feedingstuffs | 4,361.84 | 4,415.14 | 4,773.51 | 5,013.92 | 4,055.04 | 3,531.93 | 3,462.67 | 3,513.27 | 3,149.9 | 2,750.14 |
Understanding UK farm compound feedingstuffs costs
Monetary expenditure disbursed by agricultural holdings across the United Kingdom on manufactured animal feeds, including blended rations and pre-mixed dietary formulations for livestock, makes up this cost series. It isolates factory-produced compounded feeds from raw grains and straight feeds produced and consumed on the same holding, ensuring double counting is avoided within the national accounts. The series measures the financial burden that purchased nutrition places on livestock and dairy enterprises.
Interpreting annual changes requires separating the effect of global commodity grain price movements from changes in the physical volume of feed purchased by livestock farmers. Initial estimates depend on monthly milling industry surveys, which are subject to revision as annual farm account surveys are fully processed. Year-on-year comparisons are recommended to bypass seasonal livestock housing patterns that alter feed requirements between winter and summer months.
Frequently asked questions
- What specific costs are captured in UK farm compound feedingstuffs costs?
- The series tracks financial outlays by agricultural holdings across the United Kingdom on factory-produced blended and formulated animal feeds.
- Does this series include homegrown feed grains?
- No, homegrown crops retained and fed on the same holding are excluded to prevent duplication in the accounts.
- Why do feed expenditure figures fluctuate independently of livestock numbers?
- Global price volatility in raw grains heavily influences the final monetary expenditure regardless of animal population changes.