INTERVIEW 82 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2025 André Magrini, Agribusiness Consultant: “The problem isn’t China. The real issue is that we’ve built a system that actively discourages companies from producing feed additives here in the U.S. We’ve tied our own hands with excessive regulations, high production costs, and a permitting process that makes building new chemical plants nearly impossible. As a result, businesses have had no choice but to source from overseas, where production is easier, faster, and more cost-effective.” The U.S. is one of the most developed countries in the world in terms of integration, scale and production quantity in the livestock and feed sector. Yet it is dependent on imports for some key feed additives, particularly from China. Trade tensions, geopolitical tensions, and supply problems that may arise due to pandemics cause this dependency to turn into a major concern. We spoke with Andre Magrini, Agribusiness Consultant, about the growing concerns and recommendations of U.S. industry representatives. Reminding that the country is heavily dependent on China, particularly for amino acids and vitamins, Magrini said: "Without a steady supply of these additives, feed formulations would have to be adjusted, potentially impacting animal performance, feed efficiency, and costs for producers.” For our readers, Magrini explained the U.S. livestock and feed market, its dependence on imports, the effects of the Securing American Agriculture Act and alternative solutions to import dependence. Mr. Magrini, the U.S. is described as a mature and strong market for the livestock and feed production sector. First of all, could you explain to us why this is so? What are the characteristics that make the American feed and livestock sector strong? Absolutely. The U.S. feed and livestock sector is one of the most advanced and efficient in the world, and that’s not by accident. It’s the result of decades of investment in technology, infrastructure, and strong industry leadership. First, the scale of the industry is massive. We produce over 240 million metric tons of feed every year HOW WILL THE U.S. OVERCOME ITS DEPENDENCY ON CHINA FOR FEED ADDITIVES?
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