Cattle farmers benefited most from the shortage in the first three quarters of 2025, according to recent figures from Wageningen Economic Research (WUR). However, the increase in farmgate production weakened most sharply during that period.
WUR monitors price increases. The organization uses an index based on 2020, with a value of 100 points. WUR uses this index to compare farm gate prices, consumer prices, and producer prices.
The data shows that farmgate prices rose most sharply in the first nine months of the year. Between January and September 2025, prices rose by a whopping 30% to a level of 245 points. Consumer prices, meanwhile, rose by 23,5%, compared to a 17,8% increase for producers. However, since 2020, producer prices (at 167,3) have risen more sharply than consumer prices (193,5). Over the year as a whole, the farmgate index rose by 42,2%, compared to a 33,4% increase in the consumer index and a 28,5% increase in the producer price.
However, the rise in farm gate prices has weakened more sharply in recent months. During this period, producer prices rose most sharply. In the last quarter of 2025, the farm gate index increased by only 0,4%, while consumer prices rose by 1,6% and producer prices saw a further increase of 2,2%.
This presents a completely different picture than in the first quarter. During that period, farm gate prices still rose by 16,8%. The consumer index rose by only 3,2%, while the producer index increased by 6,5%. The main increase in consumer prices occurred in the second quarter. During that period, the consumer index rose by 9,8%, compared to a 3% increase in the producer index and a 5,2% increase in farm gate prices.