Feed Additives Sales in US Down by 12 Per Cent
US - Spending on veterinary pharmaceuticals fell last year compared to 2007. Feed additive use fell by 12 per cent.Spending on products used to treat and prevent disease in companion and farm animals declined slightly in 2008, not adjusted for inflation, totaling more than $6.7 billion, according to the Market Sales Report from the Animal Health Institute (AHI).
The three product categories for animal health products are biologics, which increased two per cent, pharmaceuticals, with a sales decline of one per cent and feed additives with a 12 per cent decline in 2008.
AHI President and CEO, Alexander S. Mathews, said: "Sales of animal health products were certainly affected by the economic downturn in the fourth quarter of last year. However, companies continued to bring new and innovative products to the market to improve the quality and length of life for companion animals.”
New and innovative products for food animals were also introduced, providing veterinarians, farmers and ranchers with the tools needed to keep food animals healthy.
Mr Mathews said: "Research has demonstrated the important role of healthy food animals in providing the safest possible supply of meat, milk and eggs."
The sales survey shows product sales in the three major product categories. Raw sales data was provided to AHI by CEESA, a non-profit international association based in Belgium. CEESA collects sales data on the animal health market in Europe as well. Total sales for the entire US animal health products industry were calculated based on projections made by AHI using CEESA data. Sales are for products priced at the manufacturer's level. CEESA reporting companies represent 75 per cent of the US animal health products industry.
A report compiling sales and research and development data from 2003-2005 is available from AHI. It costs US$150. Copies can be ordered by contacting Marie Gilmore ([email protected]).