Soybean meal and plant proteins in poultry diets amid protein volatility
Poultry nutrition has historically relied heavily on high-protein feed ingredients to support growth, productivity and overall health. Among these, soybean meal has long served as the gold standard for vegetable protein in poultry diets, due to its excellent amino acid profile, high digestibility and global availability.
Growing geopolitical, environmental and regulatory pressures, including trade restrictions, tariffs and sustainability legislation such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), are reshaping global access to plant-based proteins.
Soybean meal in poultry nutrition
Soybean meal is the most widely used plant protein source in poultry feeds, primarily due to its high crude protein content, favourable balance of amino acids (especially lysine and methionine) and energy density. It is also highly palatable and digestible, making it ideal for broilers, layers and breeders alike.
Soybean meal typically makes up 20-30% of commercial poultry diets and, when combined with cereal grains such as maize or wheat, provides a nutritionally complete and cost-effective ration. Globally, Brazil, the United States and Argentina are the top producers and exporters of soybeans and soybean meal. These countries dominate the supply chain, with Brazil accounting for nearly 50% of Europe’s soybean imports in recent years. This heavy reliance on a few countries for production makes the poultry industry vulnerable to price volatility, shifts in trade policy, and stricter environmental regulations.
Global protein risks and their impact
1. EU Deforestation Regulation
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will go into effect at the end of 2025, will require strict due diligence on the deforestation status of certain commodities, including soy. Importers must show that the commodities were not grown on land that was deforested after the 31st of December 2020.
Deforestation is one of the most damaging forms of Land Use Change (LUC) and is the first challenge to tackling climate change. Not all soy is grown on recently deforested land or land managed unsustainably; in fact, large areas are managed responsibly, including in high-risk areas such as South America. It is up to consumers of these commodities to ensure the market rewards sustainable farmers and that polluting producers have no market. That’s why EUDR is such an essential piece of legislation. While it has challenges, it ultimately aims to add value to farmers who practice better land stewardship. This will create a new challenge for feed manufacturers, who will need to seek certified sources or switch to more expensive alternatives in the short term, until the market has adapted to more resilient practices.
2. Trade tariffs and geopolitical tensions
Trade tensions between major economies, including the US, China and the EU, have introduced significant volatility in soybean pricing. Tariffs on soybeans can inflate feed costs, impacting the profitability of poultry operations and creating uncertainty in long-term planning.
3. Climate and supply chain disruptions
From prolonged droughts in Argentina to flooding in Brazil and labour strikes at ports, environmental and logistical challenges are making it harder to maintain a steady and affordable supply of soy. As extreme weather events become more common, these disruptions are expected to increase in frequency and severity.
Increasing nutritional value and feed efficiency
Given these evolving challenges, there is more need than ever for greater flexibility and resilience in poultry diet formulation, including the use of alternative plant proteins and feed additives that can maintain performance while reducing reliance on at-risk protein sources.
As concerns about sustainability and supply risks grow, nutritionists are exploring alternative vegetable protein sources. These include:
- Canola meal: Offers a moderate protein content and is rich in amino acids such as methionine. However, it contains less energy than soybean meal and may require careful balancing.
- Sunflower meal: A decent protein source, but lower lysine levels may limit its use in poultry diets unless supplemented.
- Pea and faba bean protein: These legumes have favourable lysine profiles but tend to be lower in methionine, and they can carry anti-nutritional factors unless properly processed.
Most of these ingredients have some nutritional gaps compared to soybean meal. But by using intelligent formulation strategies and technological solutions, we can make them viable components of commercial poultry diets.
Enzyme technology
One powerful tool in the effort to manage this challenge is the use of exogenous enzymes. These enzymes enhance nutrient digestibility, improve feed efficiency, and unlock the potential of alternative raw materials that were once considered suboptimal. These benefits minimise environmental impact while helping to reduce feed costs.
A wide range of enzymes are available on the market. Commercial enzymes are typically produced through microbial fermentation, either via submerged liquid fermentation (SmF) or solid-state fermentation (SSF). While SmF usually yields a single enzyme type, SSF can produce multiple enzymes in a single complex, making it ideal for poultry diets that include a variety of plant-based ingredients.
Why does this matter? Poultry diets often include a mix of grains, legumes and oilseed meals, each with different anti-nutritional factors and digestibility issues. A multi-enzyme complex offers broader activity across feed substrates, improving overall nutrient absorption and utilisation.
What is Allzyme Vegpro?
The multi-enzyme complex Allzyme Vegpro provides these extra benefits. It contains protease and carbohydrase, enabling it to effectively break down multiple substrates in a wide variety of ingredients, especially protein. Specifically designed to enhance the digestibility of vegetable protein sources, Allzyme Vegpro improves feed cost savings while helping to reduce reliance on soybean meal.
Allzyme Vegpro also addresses the non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) inherent to plant-based diets. These NSPs cannot be digested by poultry due to the bird’s lack of endogenous enzymes. This negatively affects the overall digestion of the diet, as well as the absorption of nutrients, including protein. The carbohydrase and protease in Allzyme Vegpro work together to minimise the effects of these anti-nutritional factors.
Conclusion
The global poultry industry faces increasing challenges from environmental regulations, trade instability and supply chain disruptions, particularly related to its dependence on soybean meal. As these risks grow, the need for formulation flexibility and resilient nutrition strategies becomes paramount.
Allzyme Vegpro offers a powerful, science-backed solution to these challenges. Improving the digestibility of a wide range of vegetable protein sources enables feed producers to diversify their ingredient base, reduce reliance on imported soy and maintain top animal performance under variable conditions.
In an era defined by volatility and sustainability imperatives, enzyme solutions such as Allzyme Vegpro are not just additives — they are strategic tools to strengthen and support poultry production.
Product availability and associated claims vary by region and may not be permitted in all markets.
