US Senate tackles vitamin supply chain
This bill, and its companion in the US House, H.R. 8003, introduced in April, would require the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study global supply chain markets for US agricultural inputs, including feed ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids used in feed and pet food production.
AFIA members are concerned over the long-term viability of the vitamin and amino supply chain.
In the US, feed and pet food manufacturers heavily rely on China for a consistent supply, with limited alternatives. China holds a commanding position in global vitamin and amino acid production, with an overwhelming global market share of key vitamins, such as thiamin (B1), niacin (B3), folic acid (B11), cyanocobalamin (B12), ascorbic acid (C), cholecalciferol (D3) and K, and amino acids such as methionine, threonine, lysine, tryptophan, and valine.
The trade group maintains that this dependency raises concerns about China’s critical role in US food security.
AFIA’s CEO Constance Cullman said the proposed legislation will be a crucial tool for providing US policymakers with the information they need to fortify the food system:
“America’s food and agriculture system is highly dependent on a limited number of suppliers for essential nutrients, such as vitamins and amino acids, which play a crucial role in animal production and overall health. This, compounded by the continued pressure on the supply chain, stemming from global market dynamics and intense competition, highlights the critical need to diversify the US supply sources.”
Building a more resilient supply chain
Through coordinated efforts at the national and international levels, the AFIA is committed to building a more resilient, sustainable supply chain for the US animal food industry.
In 2023, it launched a supply chain resiliency task force to tackle this issue of US overreliance. Additionally, in 2024, the US Department of Commerce appointed AFIA’s Gina Tumbarello to its advisory committee aimed at enhancing US supply chain competitiveness.
She told FeedNavigator about the goals of the task force:
"It is focused on helping the AFIA staff better understand the challenges within the vitamin and amino acid supply chain to inform their strategic approach and gathering insights on supply chain issues that our members are facing. With this knowledge, the AFIA staff are actively engaging with policymakers on Capitol Hill and within the Biden administration, not only advocating for proactive measures to prevent supply chain bottlenecks but also seeking mechanisms that bolster domestic production and expansion of critical inputs like vitamins and amino acids."
Tumbarello said the trade group is exploring ways to accelerate the process of building a local vitamin manufacturing industry, including leveraging existing resources, fostering public-private partnerships, and creating incentives to encourage investment in domestic production.
“While the exact timeline can vary depending on several factors—such as the scale of the facility, technological advancements, and market conditions—it could take anywhere from several years to over a decade to fully establish and scale up domestic production capabilities."
Regarding how US officials might encourage other vitamin-producing nations to enhance their domestic production capabilities to create diversified supply sources, she explained:
“This can be achieved through a combination of diplomatic engagement, trade agreements, and collaborative initiatives. This might include leveraging bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations to create incentives for increased investment in vitamin production, sharing best practices, and providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to help countries develop their production infrastructure.
“Additionally, the US could promote partnerships between private sector companies and government entities to facilitate technology transfer, improve supply chain resilience, and ensure regulatory alignment. By fostering an environment that supports mutual growth and stability, the US can help create a more diversified global supply chain, reducing reliance on any single supplier and enhancing overall market resilience."
