Animal Protein Prices Trend Firmer Across Multiple Regions

Why It Matters

These price movements affect feed‑cost structures for livestock and aquaculture producers, influencing margins and commodity trade flows globally.

Key Takeaways

• Australian feathermeal export prices fell ~30% week‑on‑week.
• Brazil MBM prices near $0.35/kg but face downward pressure.
• China, Indonesia, SE Asia see modest gains in MBM and poultry meals.
• Fishmeal premiums rise as 2026 quotas tighten, boosting aquaculture demand.

Pulse Analysis

The latest Fastmarkets data reveal a patchwork of firmness in animal‑protein markets as of early April. In the Australasian corridor, feathermeal export values slipped sharply to A$720‑740 per tonne, reflecting waning overseas appetite, while domestic poultry by‑product meal nudged higher to A$1,130‑1,160. New Zealand’s MBM prices crept up, driven by pre‑Easter demand for meat‑and‑bone‑meal. Across the Pacific, Brazil’s bovine MBM settled near 1.80 Reais per kilogram (about $0.35), yet market participants warn that buyer bids are softening, hinting at a possible price correction.

Asian demand remains a key catalyst for price resilience. Export assessments show MBM in China and Indonesia firming to $530‑570 and $540‑560 per tonne respectively, while U.S. poultry and feathermeal shipments to Southeast Asia posted modest gains. Fishmeal, a critical aquaculture input, jumped 5‑10% as 2026 quota reductions and rising fish‑farm consumption tighten supply. Meanwhile, geopolitical friction—particularly the recent US‑Iran ceasefire—has constrained Brazilian export logistics, with containers stranded in the Persian Gulf. Should the ceasefire hold, a rebound in Brazil’s seaborne flows could tighten global supply and support higher protein prices.

For feed manufacturers and livestock producers, these dynamics translate into tighter cost margins and the need for strategic sourcing. Firms may hedge against volatility by diversifying protein sources, locking in contracts in regions where prices are stabilising, or shifting toward alternative ingredients such as insect meal. Analysts expect Brazil’s MBM to test a lower‑bound if buyer confidence does not recover, while Australasia’s feathermeal could remain depressed without renewed export demand. In the broader picture, sustained Asian appetite and constrained fishmeal supplies suggest that overall animal‑protein pricing will stay elevated through the remainder of 2026, pressuring downstream food‑production chains.