Manure sales declined in the third quarter compared to the previous quarters, when there had been a strong increase. A lack of placement space, which was largely filled in many places in the spring, is the main cause.
In the first two quarters, 30.671.370 tons of manure were transported. This represents a 3,6% increase compared to the same period last year, according to figures from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Of this, over 22.657.821 tons were sold in the second three months. At that time, the increase was 15,7%. In the first quarter, the increase was even 64% year-on-year.
This means that sales declined in the third quarter. This isn't a huge surprise, as the placement space on many plots had already been largely utilized due to the favorable start to the spreading season.
Arable farmers purchased 11.327.238 tons of manure in the first three quarters, 1,6% more than in the same period last year. In the first two quarters, the lead was 12%. Over 35% of the manure traded in the first three quarters went to Dutch arable farms. The slight increase in sales this year, despite the arrival of NV areas, is due to relatively high manure prices, resulting in higher revenues for arable farmers.
Manure export
Manure exports declined less sharply in the third quarter than total sales. In the first three quarters, 2.736.772 tons were exported, a 26,5% increase compared to the previous year. In the second quarter, the increase was slightly higher, at 27,4%.
Germany, in particular, purchased 1.440.864 tons in the first three quarters, nearly 40% more than last year. Sales to France grew by 15,3% to 791.868 tons. Belgium imported 438.446 tons from the Netherlands, an increase of 17,9%.
Click here to view the DCA collection contributions per region and manure type.