Decline in manure disposal, but exports continue to grow.

In the first quarter, 9.586.893 tonnes of manure were transported in the Netherlands via nearly 284.975 registered trips, according to figures from the RVO. This represents a decrease of 20,8% compared to last year. The decline is linked to changeable weather in the first weeks of the spreading season. As a result, for manure intermediaries, it was then running and standing stillDue to drier conditions, the past few weeks have been more favorable.

With a decrease of nearly 30% to 2.016.045 tonnes, sales of pig manure show an above-average decline. This is linked to the sharply shrunken pig population due to buy-out schemes. Sales of cattle manure fell by 20% to 4.762.571 tonnes. Despite the decline, this remains the second highest sales figure ever after 2025.

Due to the discontinuation of the derogation, dairy farmers must dispose of more manure. As a result, the nature of the manure market has changed. Whereas previously surpluses were mainly concentrated in the southern Netherlands, the problems are now greatest north of the rivers. Sales of poultry manure, which is less weather-dependent, remained stable at 413.788 tonnes.

Placement space not yet utilized
The destination of manure shows shifts. Arable farmers purchased 3.225.121 tonnes of manure in the first quarter, a decrease of 36,3%. This is likely to be partially recouped in the second and third quarters. Due to presumably disappointing crop prices this year, manure is a welcome additional source of income, whereas the price of artificial fertilizer has actually risen due to the war in Iran. 

In mid-April, DCA collection fees for cattle manure in the South and Central regions average €26,50 and €35 ​​per ton respectively. For pig manure, livestock farmers pay an average of €28,50 per ton in the South and approximately €35 in the Central. Arable farmers generally receive over €10 to €15 less for manure collection, although high diesel prices do increase transport costs. Because the capacity for application in the spring has not yet been fully utilized, there remains room for additional sales later in the season.

Manure exports continue to grow
It is striking that manure exports continue to grow. In the first quarter, 1.060.873 tonnes of manure were sold across the border, an increase of 7,9% compared to the same period in 2025. This brings the share of exports in the total to 11,06%, compared to just over 9% for the whole of 2025. Sales to Germany grew the strongest, by 15,2% to 675.752 tonnes. Sales to France decreased by 8,3% to 223.178 tonnes. Belgium took 7,5% more manure, reaching 142.220 tonnes. Manure imports decreased by 2,8% in the first quarter to 178.799 tonnes.