The Netherlands exported a quarter more manure in 2025 than the previous year. Sales to Germany, in particular, increased sharply. Domestically, manure sales also rose, as arable farmers purchased more volume.
Total manure sales rose by 3,8% last year to 35.189.666 tons. This growth was slightly less strong than in 2024. The number of loads exceeded the 1 million mark for the first time in years. Thanks to the early spring, the number of loads exceeded the 1 million mark, especially in the first quarter A large amount of manure was sold. In the following quarters, sales declined because a lot of available space had already been filled at many farms.
Growth in cattle, shrinkage in pigs
At 17.451.006 tons, cattle manure is the largest category, with sales increasing by over 10% in 2025. This substantial growth is due to dairy farmers being able to spread less manure on their land due to the phasing out of the derogation. At 7.919.274 tons, pig manure is the second category, despite a 5,9% decrease. In 2025, 573 pig farms participating in Lbv and Lbv-plus disappeared.
Arable farmers collected over 6% more manure last year, reaching 12.710.690 tons. This is the highest volume in years, fueled by the high manure prices received through the corresponding collection fees. The disposal of pig manure cost an average of €33,88 per cubic meter across all regions throughout 2025. For cattle liquid manure, this was €30,68 per cubic meter.
Manure export
Manure exports grew by a remarkable 25,8% to 3.409.294 tons. Despite this rapid growth, exports remain just under 10%. In 2024, this figure was 8%. Sales to Germany grew by a remarkable 40,9%, while Belgium and France imported 13,8% and 14,1% more, respectively. Compound manure is particularly popular abroad.