Demand for Soybean Meal in Denmark

Total use of soybean meal in Denmark is projected to increase to 756,000 tons in 1980, compared to a base period (1969) estimate of 468,000 tons. Much of the increase is expected in the milk and pork sectors, although consumption is also projected to increase in the beef, poultry meat, and egg sectors. These projections are based on applying feed conversion rates from previous studies and estimates of soybean meal in concentrates to projections of production of livestock products. Alternative projections were undertaken assuming an improvement in feed conversion rates for concentrates and an increase in the percentage of nongrain feeds in rations. Under these assumptions total consumption of soybean meal is projected to reach 814,000 tons in 1980, 8 percent above the original projection. The projected rise in livestock production reflects the effect of EC membership, which is expected to increase net returns to producers in the long run and boost Danish agricultural exports. Danish agricultural exports had been adversely affected by the Common Agricultural Policy. Total imports of all vegetable oilcakes and meal have risen significantly in recent years, reflecting increased use of oilcakes and meal in feed rations. The United States has been the major supplier of soybeans to Denmark and in 1973 supplied over 90 percent of the 388,000-ton market.