New data on antimicrobials sales and use in animals in the EU
Report showing small increase in sales, new dashboard launched
NewsVeterinaryAntimicrobial resistance
The second European Sales and Use of Antimicrobials for Veterinary Medicine (ESUAvet) annual surveillance report is now published, consolidating data from the EU including Iceland and Norway in 2024. Together with the report a new dashboard is launched allowing public access to data on the sales of antimicrobial veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) across the EU.
With ESUAvet, we are not just collecting data - we are building trust, enabling action, and contributing to a healthier future for all. Reliable data support smarter decisions and safer communities. By turning data into insight, we empower countries to take informed action against antimicrobial resistance.
Sales data of antimicrobials for food-producing animals
In 2024, 98% of total sales of antimicrobial VMPs were for food-producing animals. Sales for this group increased by 5% compared to 2023. These results suggest that the overall declining trend observed between 2010 and 2022 may be slowing down or reversing. More data will be needed in the future to determine whether this reflects a lasting shift or a temporary fluctuation, which can be caused by factors such as stockpiling, disease outbreaks or changes in animal population. Continued close monitoring and timely reporting will be essential to support corrective actions, if needed.
Leveraging the potential of use data
While sales data remain a reliable proxy for estimating antimicrobial consumption in food-producing animals, actual consumption is monitored through use data reporting, now in its second year for cattle, pigs, chickens, and turkeys, marking a strategic shift towards more granular and actionable insights.
Variability between countries still limits EU-level aggregation, but countries are working hard to improve the completeness and granularity of their use data. It is important that these efforts continue, as these data offer new opportunities to understand consumption patterns and guide targeted interventions.
New dashboard for transparency and empowerment
Alongside this report, ESUAvet is launching a new interactive dashboard. This tool offers broad public access to antimicrobial VMP sales data, empowering stakeholders - from policymakers to the general public - to explore and understand trends in veterinary antimicrobial consumption patterns to support decision making.
The data presented in this second ESUAvet report have the potential to inform targeted interventions against antimicrobial resistance, strategies, and to foster accountability across reporting countries. The findings reflect the current state of antimicrobial consumption in animals in the EU and call for action to build on progress, address remaining challenges, and work collectively towards consistent and complete reporting.