Calls to Increase Feed Subsidies in Kuwait

Jamal Al-Waseedi, president of the Kuwaiti Society for Livestock and Food Security, called for an increase in feed subsidy allocations within the budget of the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries Affairs, in line with the actual needs of livestock farmers, in order to curb rising prices of sheep, cattle, milk, and dairy products. He also emphasized the need to support feed allocated to Kuwait’s poultry industry, which is a primary source of protein for Kuwaiti consumers, with annual production reaching approximately one billion eggs, in addition to nearly 40,000 tons of fresh, frozen, and live chicken. Workers in the poultry sector were surprised by the rise in corn prices from 85 dinars per ton to 105 dinars. As previously noted in earlier articles, it is important to import soybeans in bulk—which constitute about 30% of poultry feed ingredients—rather than importing them in bags that are prone to spoilage. If the current situation persists, poultry producers will face heavy losses this season unless egg and chicken prices are adjusted to reflect the increase in feed costs, particularly for corn, soybeans, and concentrates. The price of a ton of soybeans used to range between $430 and $450, but the latest shipment that arrived in Kuwait last week from the United Arab Emirates cost $765 per ton, an increase of nearly 70%. As for subsidized corn, its price rose from 85 dinars to 105 dinars per ton by the Kuwaiti Flour Mills and Bakeries Company. It should be noted that the company provides feed concentrates for sheep and cattle, while these concentrates are not provided to poultry producers. Based on current conditions and in order to strengthen food security, the following steps are recommended: Establish two feed mills in the northern and southern ports, with a production capacity of no less than 100 tons per hour, along with storage capacity for raw materials for a period of no less than four months, and manufacture complete and pelletized feed in accordance with international standards, to be supplied directly to producers via specialized tankers. This system would achieve savings of between 10% and 15% in feed consumption, as a result of improved quality and reduced reliance on labor, in addition to increasing feed conversion efficiency (FCR) for meat, eggs, and milk. O Allah, protect Kuwait and its people from all harm.