Despite the ample supply of cattle manure in particular, the DCA manure quotation has remained stable recently. Whether prices will rise further in the short term is uncertain, especially now that levels are historically high. However, policy decisions, from the new 8th Nitrates Directive Action Programme to the formation of a new government, could significantly impact the market in the coming months.
After a period of rather sharp price increases, the manure market seems to have calmed down recently. The DCA collection fee for pig manure in the South of the Netherlands is €33 per tonne this week. In Central Netherlands, it is €36,33. The collection fee for cattle manure is €30 per tonne this week in the South of the Netherlands, and €35,50 in Central Netherlands. The collection fee for cattle manure in the Leeuwarden region is €37 per tonne this week.
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Lower milk and pig prices
The manure market has remained more or less unchanged for several weeks now. At the same time, the question remains as to how much room there is for further price increases, as is historically typical during these months of the year. Milk prices are under considerable pressure, leading many intermediaries to observe that livestock farmers have become more cautious in their spending and are less willing to pay higher sales costs. Pig prices are also trending downward.
Nevertheless, manure prices remain historically high, although sentiment varies significantly by region. For transporters, the distance to the market is a significant factor, allowing livestock farmers in regions with smaller surpluses, such as the southern Netherlands, to dispose of their manure more cheaply than others. At the same time, intermediaries indicate that many livestock farmers are currently satisfied that their manure is being sold at all, rather than worrying about every last euro. This is a stark contrast to the lower prices of the past.
Arable farmers interested
Arable farmers with storage space are also entering the market more frequently, according to various parties. The developments in this fertilizer market are also very interesting for the arable farming sector, as the prices of many arable crops are under pressure. Rumors are circulating that prices of at least €20 to €25 are currently being paid, both in the south and north of the Netherlands. With a storage capacity of several hundred cubic meters, this quickly becomes a significant investment.
Nitrate Directive Action Programme
All in all, the idea is that the manure market has now reached its peak for this year. The new year is already being looked at with a sidelong glance, as it is known that the derogation will continue to be phased out. Also, starting January 1, 2026, the 8e The Nitrates Directive action program has been launched. While the 7th program primarily focused on generic measures, the 8th program places greater emphasis on targeted management and customized solutions. Companies and regions will receive tasks tailored to soil type, water quality, and local conditions. Sandy and loess soils, in particular, will be subject to stricter requirements, such as mandatory catch crops, mandatory crop rotations, and stricter application standards.
In addition, the 8th program links more explicitly to other environmental objectives, such as surface water quality and phosphate management, and focuses on solving residual tasks that the 7th program could not yet fully realize.
Politically, much is also expected to happen in the coming period with the upcoming coalition formation. The stakes are high for the agricultural sector, as this decision will determine how the new cabinet handles the nitrogen problem.