5 questions for Hans Verkerk
'Saxony-Anhalt interesting for manure sales'
In the German state of Saxony-Anhalt there are many poor, poor sandy soils and there is little private livestock farming. Arable farmers have a great need for organic matter in the soil. The place for Dutch manure exporters to do business.
The pop-up editors of Boerenbusiness interviews Hans Verkerk, fertilizer distribution secretary at the trade association Cumela, about the opportunities for Dutch fertilizer sales in this German state.
What makes Saxony-Anhalt interesting for manure disposal?
'Saxony-Anhalt is interesting for animal manure sales, because the federal state has many large arable areas. Livestock farming, on the other hand, is relatively small. This means that the state has a large fertilizer requirement. In addition, Saxony-Anhalt is easily accessible in terms of transport distance. Within a distance of 500 kilometres, thousands of hectares can be served with various fertilizer products.'
Is Saxony-Anhalt more interesting than the federal states bordering the Netherlands?
'In terms of transport distance, Saxony-Anhalt may be further away. However, the regulations here are less strict than, for example, in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. These federal states apply strict import criteria, due to cases of manure fraud and manure dumping in the past. Schleswig Holstijn is perhaps even more interesting in terms of arable acreage, but this state does have a large livestock farm.'
What fertilizer needs do arable farmers in this state have?
'Saxony-Anhalt is often characterized by poor, poor sandy soils, which is why arable farmers have a great need for organic matter in the soil. Especially because the state is characterized by a fairly dry continental climate. Animal manure is a wonderful 'all-in-one' product to maintain or supplement the organic matter content in the soil. Animal manure also contains fertile micronutrients. In contrast to nitrogen and organic matter, arable farmers here have less need for phosphate. That is because there is sufficient in the soil. I therefore expect that there will mainly be opportunities for the export of untreated chicken manure. About 6 to 7 years ago, all imported manure went to agriculture. I expect that about half of the imports currently go into the bio-digester. The digesters are reasonably saturated because of the reduced subsidies. That is why I expect that the extra fertilizer space will have to come from agriculture.'
What are the biggest challenges here?
'Transport is a challenge, especially the final logistics. The distance from the highway exit to the headland is crucial and often takes the most time. Remote areas, far from the highway, are difficult to reach and therefore less interesting. Return freight is also a challenge. Feed and foodstuffs are often excluded as return freight. Straw and biogas are examples that are suitable for taking back to the Netherlands.'
What tips do you have for fertilizer exporters who want to do business in Germany?
'Find a contact person who knows the area, speaks the language and can help with legislation and regulations. Then make an inventory of the needs of the arable farmers. Based on this, a targeted search can be made for suitable fertilizer products. Make sure that agreements are always met and that the correct levels are supplied. That's what the Germans are after. The difference can be made by providing advice in addition to manure. By that I mean demand-driven working and solving problems instead of just delivering. If we Dutch succeed in this, there will be wonderful opportunities here.'
About Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt is a federal state in central Germany, with an area of 20.447 km² and 2.244.577 inhabitants at the end of 2007. The capital is Magdeburg. It is an agricultural-intensive region and borders Lower Saxony. It is located approximately 500 kilometers from the Dutch border. Especially in the middle and north there is a lot of agriculture, on the Börde and in the Altmark.
Pop-up editors
The 'pop-up editors' of Boerenbusiness reports this week from the state of Saxony-Anhalt (East Germany). There she is investigating the export possibilities of Dutch manure to that agricultural region. The 'pop-up editors' visit German arable farmers and follow Dutch manure processors and exporters.
Does the local market in this agricultural-intensive region offer opportunities for the export of Dutch fertilizer products? And what fertilizer products are German arable farmers waiting for and what conditions must they meet? All articles about this trade mission can be found here.
Wouter Job
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