Bottom line
Rising energy costs are adding uncertainty to the animal protein market ahead of Q4 2026. Rendering plants require energy for processing, heating and drying, while transportation costs affect the price of moving finished products to international buyers.
However, higher energy prices do not automatically translate into an equivalent increase in animal protein selling prices.
MANTA view: Energy costs may place upward pressure on animal protein production costs during Q4 2026, but actual selling prices will depend on raw-material availability, buyer demand, supplier cost structures and the ability to pass higher costs through to customers.
In this article, animal protein refers to animal-derived protein ingredients used in permitted feed applications, including meat and bone meal, poultry meal, blood-derived proteins and hydrolyzed feather meal. It does not refer to meat for human consumption.
Energy markets are creating a difficult pricing environment
Energy markets entered September 2026 under pressure from geopolitical disruption and uncertainty surrounding oil, refined fuels and natural gas.
Reuters reported on 18 September that oil prices declined as expectations of partially restored supply helped ease immediate concerns. However, uncertainty surrounding Middle Eastern energy infrastructure and transportation remained significant.
For animal protein manufacturers, the important question is not simply whether crude oil rises or falls. It is how changes in natural gas, electricity, diesel and other fuels affect actual manufacturing and delivery expenses.
Why rendering plants are exposed to energy costs
Rendering is a thermal process that transforms animal by-products into usable materials, including processed animal proteins and rendered fats.
Energy is required for heating, separating and drying materials. The amount and type of energy consumed depend on the equipment, manufacturing process and plant configuration.
Research examining rendering in the United Kingdom identified natural gas and self-produced rendered fat among the energy sources used by the industry.
This illustrates an important distinction: plants with different energy systems may experience very different cost pressures even when they manufacture similar products.
Which animal proteins could be affected?
| Ingredient | Relevant cost exposure | Buyer consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Meat and bone meal | Rendering energy, raw-material supply and transportation | Confirm whether a price change reflects processing cost or raw-material availability. |
| Poultry meal | Thermal processing, drying and poultry by-product availability | Compare protein, ash, fat and consistency alongside price. |
| Blood-derived proteins | Drying technology, processing energy and raw-material supply | Assess plant-specific production conditions and specifications. |
| Hydrolyzed feather meal | Hydrolysis, drying and poultry-processing supply | Check digestibility and processing consistency. |
These are potential cost exposures rather than confirmed price increases for individual ingredients.
Why price increases may differ between suppliers
Two manufacturers selling the same category of animal protein may operate under different commercial conditions.
Differences may include energy contracts, plant efficiency, processing technology, access to raw materials, production volume, inventory and customer commitments.
A supplier with stable contracted energy prices may not immediately experience the same cost pressure as a manufacturer purchasing energy at prevailing market rates.
Similarly, an integrated meat processor may face a different raw-material supply situation from an independent rendering company.
Consequently, applying one percentage increase across all animal protein products would be misleading.
Could high energy costs reduce production?
If energy expenses rise substantially and finished-product prices do not compensate for higher costs, some manufacturers could face margin pressure.
Possible responses include adjusting quotations, reducing the validity of offers, reviewing production schedules or prioritizing products with better economics.
These are conditional commercial responses, not evidence that widespread rendering-plant shutdowns are occurring.
Buyers should distinguish a supplier’s explanation of higher costs from independently confirmed changes in production or availability.
What buyers should monitor in Q4 2026
- European natural gas and electricity costs;
- diesel and other industrial fuel prices;
- supplier quotation validity;
- actual rendering-plant production schedules;
- raw-material supply from meat and poultry processing;
- animal protein price relationships with competing feed ingredients;
- changes in freight and destination costs.
MANTA view
Energy costs are a reason to review supplier quotations carefully, not a reason to assume that every animal protein price must increase.
MANTA expects Q4 price negotiations to reflect a combination of manufacturing expenses, raw-material availability and transportation costs.
For buyers, the appropriate response is to compare confirmed quotations, specifications and delivery terms rather than attempting to calculate animal protein prices directly from crude-oil movements.
Origin diversification and clear supplier communication can help buyers manage uncertainty without compromising technical requirements.
FAQ
Will rising energy prices automatically increase meat and bone meal prices?
No. Higher energy costs can increase manufacturing expenses, but actual selling prices also depend on supply, demand, competition and individual supplier cost structures.
Are European animal protein manufacturers equally exposed?
No. Energy sources, contracts, plant efficiency and raw-material supply vary between manufacturers.
Should buyers secure additional stock immediately?
Purchasing decisions should reflect confirmed demand, inventory coverage, supplier quotations and available alternatives. Energy prices alone do not justify additional inventory.
Talk to MANTA
For Q4 2026 sourcing, send MANTA your product, target specification, preferred origin, destination, quantity and shipment window.
Contact MANTA to discuss available animal protein sourcing options.