Is the feed market suffering from limited supply?

Normally, roughage prices fluctuate at this time of year. This has several reasons, such as the transition to autumn, the emergence of new harvests and seasonal changes in supply. The traders agree that it is quiet for this time of year.

High prices
The prices of silage grass were significantly lower in the previous 2 years than this year. Normally the price responds to the start of the silage season because the supply increases, but that is not the case this year. The drought plays a major role, most livestock farmers keep the grass in their own silage to compensate for possible shortages in the spring.

The price of meadow hay is also high compared to the 5-year average. Remarkable, since the offer is good. Demand is strongly in line with supply, which ensures that almost no price fluctuation is possible.

Tight offer
The supply is tight for maize as well as for feed potatoes and straw. The new corn has appeared on the feed market, but the supply already seems to be decreasing. The price of the new harvest is reasonably in line with the average of the past 5 years. The price is still higher than previous years at €55 per tonne, but the difference is minimal.

Very little is released from feed potatoes. Many potato growers are expected to choose to store the potatoes for a while to see if they can get a better price. When the potatoes are sent away as animal feed, they do not receive top prize. The price is relatively average at €40 compared to previous years.

Straw prices appear to be under pressure again, as supply here also appears to be declining. Demand is tame at the moment, which will probably ensure that the price remains stable this week at €120 per tonne. This price is also relatively average compared to previous years.

Beer spent grain and grass seed hay
The spent grain price also remains stable at an average of €2,60 per percent dry matter (north and south combined). We are now entering a period where breweries periodically reduce production and supply decreases. This is not yet reflected on the market, partly due to the nice weather in recent weeks when consumers still went onto the terrace, despite the corona. Now that the measures are being tightened here and there and the weather is about to change, we have to wait and see what will happen to both the price and the supply.

In addition to the other stable prices, the grass seed hays are also still trading at the same level. Click here for all current prices.

* The prices in this article are (except for spent grain) per tonne, free at the farm