Consumers pay significantly more for meat

The price of meat has risen by an average of 3,8% last year, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands. It is the largest price increase since 2001.

The price of poultry meat rose the fastest in percentage terms (+5%), while pork was also considerably more expensive last year (+4,2%). The price of beef and veal rose by 2,7%, which is below the average price increase.

The higher yields also affect the meat processing industry. Slaughterhouses and deboning companies also achieved higher yields last year. The rising meat prices are incidentally a trend that has been going on for some time. Over the past 20 years, meat prices have risen by approximately 2% per year.

Good year for pig farmers
Pig farmers also benefited from the price increase. The year 2017 can therefore be described as a good pig year† Especially in the first half of the year, the trend in the pig market was increasing. Prices started to fall again in the autumn. However, the DCA Pig Index was above the long-term average for almost 75% of the year.​In general, 2017 was an above-average year for pig prices in the Netherlands. 

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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