Manure prices will increase further in early 2024. Due to the high supply pressure, people are often already eagerly awaiting the start of the spreading season in mid-February.
It is no longer news that fertilizer prices are sky-high. Still, it bothers some market parties that national media indicate long-term expected prices of €40 or €50 per cubic meter, while this is far from being the case. The idea is that this will unnecessarily lead to further mood-making.
Regular customers only
The reality today is that DCA collection contributions for cattle slurry in all areas start from €28 per cubic meter and sometimes range towards €30. There are also intermediaries that require collection contributions above this limit, while others try to keep it more moderate. Pig slurry prices are generally at or above €30 per cubic meter. In a few cases, intermediaries charge less. In many places the storage capacity is full. The consequence of this is that intermediaries only serve their regular customers. Price shoppers are sometimes disappointed.
Hope is pinned on release season
With the start of the new year, the supply pressure from dairy farming has diminished somewhat. Many livestock farmers wanted to remove manure before the new year for accounting reasons. However, on many farms the manure pits are still full and the calendar is counting down, so to speak, towards the start of the spreading season, with the idea of being able to dispose of it at more favorable rates. That is not yet an indication. For the time being, slightly higher prices are in the offing.
Disclaimer
It remains to be seen to what extent collection contributions will decrease from mid-February. Insiders already use a disclaimer not to expect too much. On the high sandy soils, the necessary volumes can probably be unloaded at the start - if the weather is good. The situation is more complex on wet clay soils. There the beets and potatoes are sometimes still in the ground, or plots have been destroyed during the harvest. In addition, it is estimated that less winter wheat has been sown due to the wet conditions. Due to the further reduction of the derogation in 2024, the total manure placement space will further shrink, but an early and dry spring can still take some of the pressure off.