Now that the first plots of new silage maize have been harvested, the trade is slowly getting going. What price is mentioned? In addition, it appears that (dairy) farmers are currently very interested in potato products. This leads to higher prices.
In the south of the Netherlands there is still a lot going on chopped, but the demand for silage maize from the new harvest is now slowly picking up. According to various traders, the first business has been done at a price level of around €55 per tonne, free of charge, although they do report that the large differences in quality make it difficult to give a clear price. This means that they also expect that the good to excellent quality can be sold out quickly.
If we look at previous years, we see that the starting price is slightly lower than in 2018. Then in week 36 the new harvest was switched to and the price was €62 per ton, delivered to the farm. However, compared to the 5-year average, the price is still higher. During that period, the start was made in the same week, but the starting price was €52 per tonne, free of charge. Traders find it difficult to make a prediction for further price movements, as it is not yet clear how much good quality product is brought from the country.
Potato products in demand
While the demand for silage maize is gradually increasing, the demand for potato products is currently very good. However, according to traders, this is not very special, as demand is always fairly strong between mid-September and the end of October. The fact that demand increases significantly at this time of year is partly because dairy farmers use various products to cover the pit.
What makes the situation slightly different than in other years is the fact that potato factories are rejecting little product this year. This ensures that the supply for livestock farming is low, causing prices to rise slowly. The price for potato fibers is currently approximately €36 per tonne free of charge and the price of potato chips is between €40 and €45 per tonne free of charge. This of course concerns B-quality.
Trade in spent grains continues
The market for spent grains is also currently going well, which means that the price this week for the second week takes a step up in a row. The price increases by €0,05 to €2,35 per percent dry matter. The traders do report that the price in the south is slightly below that level and in the north just slightly above it (mainly due to the transport distance). It is expected that this price will be maintained for the time being; in any case until the moment when (dairy) farmers start implementing the winter ration.
Although the trade in spent grain, silage maize and potato products looks more positive again, the price of straw remains stable for the fifth week at €100 per tonne free at the farm. In addition, traders even report that the price may fall further in the coming weeks as a result of it big offer. The price of meadow hay also remains stable this week and is now trading at €140 per tonne free of charge for the fourth week in a row.
Trade in perennial ryegrass has been relatively quiet for weeks, which means that the price is stable again this week at €110 per tonne, delivered to the farm. The same applies to the trade in silage. The price for this product has now been €20 per tonne, free of charge, for 50 weeks in a row. It is therefore not expected that this will change in the short term.
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