Phosphate trade to have peak year in 2024

This is evident from the Report Dutch manure policy 2024, which Minister Wiersma sent to the House of Representatives. According to the figures, a total of more than 6,2 million phosphate rights were traded, which is almost 1,8 million (or 40%) more than in 2023. In that year, 5,2% of all rights in circulation were traded. 

The increase in the number of traded rights can be explained by anticipation of upcoming new policy. Many livestock farmers wanted to quickly sell, buy or lease a large number of rights without additional skimming. No figures are available for 2025, because the national government agency RVO only publishes phosphate data once a year, but it is clear that very little phosphate has been traded so far. Leasing with skimming hardly takes place at all anymore. 

Few rights disappeared from the market
Although 48% more phosphate was skimmed off last year than in 2023, relatively few rights disappeared from the market: almost 710.000 out of a total of 83,6 million units in circulation.

The total number of phosphate rights ever awarded amounts to 86,6 million units, of which a minority of almost 41,8 million units were awarded to land-based companies, while almost 44,9 million units were awarded to non-land-based companies. Due to skimming, over 1,3 million rights have ended up in a phosphate bank in recent years. 

Production rights from other livestock sectors surrendered more often
In percentage terms, other livestock sectors surrendered more production rights. For example, the number of poultry rights decreased by 2,16% last year to 65,34 million units. That is a decrease of more than 1,44 million rights. The number of pig rights even decreased by more than 4%, or more than 321.000 units.