Feed market marked by tight supply

The limited supply of spent grains and feed potatoes is nothing new. Last week, traders also reported that both products were difficult to obtain. Unfortunately, this situation remains unchanged this week, just like the price. The spent grain price (per % dry matter) remains stable at an average of €2,75. The differences in the north and south remain the same at €2,85 and €2,70 respectively. Here and there outliers are mentioned of a minimum of €2,60 and a maximum of €2,90.

Despite the shortage, the price of feed potatoes remains the same and is therefore listed at €30 per ton (free from farm). Normally a price would respond to a shortage like this, but that does not seem to be happening in the feed potato market. It is now expected that sufficient product will be released once potato growers have more certainty. This is probably related to the stable price.

Silage grass and silage maize
Although we also mentioned in previous weeks that the supply of both products is limited, this time the traders explicitly indicated that the supply of silage is very limited. The beautiful spring pits in particular seem to have disappeared from the face of the earth. Not surprising, of course, since most dairy farmers can use them themselves due to the drought.

However, the price of silage remains the same at €60 per tonne. An increase seems unlikely because demand does not exceed supply. It has never happened before in the past 3 years that the silage price has remained stable at this high level for so long. 

It is also known that the supply is not large for silage maize. However, most dairy farmers still seem to have enough in the hole, as demand does not exceed supply here either. This allows the price to remain the same at €70 per tonne (free of charge).

meadow hay
The situation surrounding the meadow hay has been stable for several weeks now. The price is again this week at €180 per tonne and that does not seem to be changing any time soon. Demand is minimal and therefore in balance with supply. Compared to last year, the price stabilized early and is also considerably lower.

Last year the price only stabilized around week 17, this year already in week 13. In addition, the price was considerably higher last year: €210 per tonne. In 2018, the price barely stabilized, but was higher in week 17 at €187,50. Looking back at 2017, however, a completely different picture emerges. 2017 is all about stabilization with little price differences. The price remained stable at €11 per tonne that year from week 35 to week 150.

Would you like to see more price comparisons? Then click here. Boerenbusiness feed quotations.