Financial
Opinions Hans de Jong
Things are going pretty well - continued
Last week, the title 'Things are going quite well' appeared above this weekly opinion. The figures released this week confirm that picture, so author Han de Jong has kept that title, albeit with the addition of 'follow-up'.
Yesterday 08:30 PM
News Feed
ForFarmers continues trend with substantially higher profits
ForFarmers sees profit and sales in the animal feed market growing, while lower raw material prices are putting pressure on revenue. Acquisitions and market share gains are offsetting the contraction in the market. Read more about the animal feed company's results.
Thursday 10:16 PM
BBTV Facts
40 percent of farmers' income is earned outside the home.
Only 60% of the income of agricultural households is earned on the farm, including diversification activities. The remaining 40% comes from wages, pensions, and benefits, according to new CBS figures. Agricultural economist Cor Pierik was also surprised by these figures. Presenter Linda van Eekeres speaks with him about this striking result, as well as the above-average income of farming households and the small proportion living below the poverty line.
Monday 10:00 PM
Opinions Hans de Jong
The Dutch economy is doing quite well.
Inflation in our country rose slightly again in July: from 2,9% in June to 3,1%. Core inflation, excluding food, energy, alcohol, and tobacco, remained unchanged at 3,2%. In the so-called rapid estimate, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) publishes only a small number of details. Nevertheless, these provide a good picture. Higher energy prices (+9,7% year-on-year, compared to +6.0% in June) pushed the overall inflation figure up by just over 0,2 percentage points. Viewed in this light, the entire rise in the inflation figure was attributable to energy prices.
31 July 2026
News Inflation
Fuel fuel drives inflation in the Netherlands and the eurozone
Dutch inflation has risen again, from 2,9% in June to 3,1% in July. In June, inflation actually fell. Inflation within the eurozone also rose, but at a slower pace.
31 July 2026
News Pension
ECB keeps interest rates unchanged, outlook remains uncertain
The European Central Bank (ECB) is keeping interest rates unchanged. Last month, interest rates were raised for the first time in three years. Inflation fell to 2,8% in June, closer to the inflation target of 2%. However, ECB President Christine Lagarde emphasized that the outlook remains uncertain due to the war in Iran.
23 July 2026
Analysis Milk
FrieslandCampina is struggling with luxury problems
For years, FrieslandCampina saw dairy farmers leave for competitors. Now the situation is completely reversed: the influx of new members is so large that the cooperative is reluctant to accept new entrants. However, behind that apparent luxury problem lies a much larger strategic challenge. Read more here.
22 July 2026
Opinions Joost Derks
Why interest rate decisions hit the currency market so hard
Currency rates react more sharply to central bank interest rate decisions the greater the surprise. The policy of US Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh predicts a somewhat more volatile trend for the dollar.
22 July 2026
News Sugar
Lower costs improve results at Südzucker
The sugar market remains under pressure due to weak prices and declining demand, while Südzucker actually benefits from lower costs. This leads to a recovery in results without a market recovery. Read more about developments in the sugar market.
9 July 2026
Podcast Currency
Interest, Strait of Hormuz and a handy holiday tip
The Strait of Hormuz is open again, central banks have made their interest rate decisions, tech stocks are turning red, and the United Kingdom is gearing up for its seventh prime minister in ten years. Plenty to discuss with Joost Derks, currency specialist at iBanFirst, regarding developments in the financial markets. In Boerenbusiness Currency tells Derks to Linda van Eekeres a handy tip for anyone going to withdraw money in a country outside the eurozone this summer.
June 26, 2026
Opinions Hans de Jong
Hooray, the Strait of Hormuz is open again
Hooray, the Strait of Hormuz is open again. Whether that will remain the case remains to be seen, but for the time being, oil, gas, and other goods are passing through again. The future will tell how quickly regional production and transport can be ramped up. Various experts have warned recently that this might turn out to be disappointing. We shall see. On the eve of the American-Israeli attack on Iran, a barrel of Brent crude was trading at around $70; now it is about $80. I would say that is liveable. In early May, it was above $110 per barrel.
June 19, 2026
News Economy
EU rules strengthen position for farmers one step closer
The EU is focusing on new rules for price setting and contracts in agriculture. This shifts the bargaining position and transparency in the food chain. Read more about EU measures for price mechanisms in agriculture.
June 18, 2026
News Economy
Higher costs eat into profits for arable farming in 2026
Costs for fertilizer, diesel, and crop protection products are rising sharply, while yield prices are lagging behind and sales are under pressure. Margins are shrinking and incomes are falling further, Rabobank reports. Read more about margin pressure in arable farming.
June 17, 2026
Opinions Joost Derks
Indonesia's economy is growing, but the currency is falling.
The Indonesian rupiah loses nearly 20% of its value within a year and a half, while the economy grows by 5%. Bank Indonesia's interest rate hikes have little effect as long as Prabowo continues to lose confidence.
June 17, 2026
News Fertilizer
€540 million in EU emergency aid to help farmers
The European Commission is increasing the available crisis reserve to €540 million to help farmers in the European Union this coming season. This is primarily intended to cope with increased cultivation costs caused by higher fertilizer prices. Member states may double the amount.
June 16, 2026
News Economy
Rabobank: agriculture is the only sector shrinking
The agricultural sector is contracting. Production is declining, while costs for energy and fertilizer are rising. Rabobank sees continued pressure from trade and energy. Read more about the contraction in the agricultural sector.
June 12, 2026