Pig feed prices skyrocket

Figures from Wageningen Economic Research show that feed prices were significantly higher in August. For example, the price of piglet pellets rose by no less than €0,60 to €36,45 per 100 kilos, the highest level in 4 years. The price of pork chunks also increased: by €0,35 to €24,95 per 100 kilos. This also applies to the prices of sow feed.

Rise continues
Although chunk prices have often shown large increases in the past, such movements are no longer fresh in the memory. Prices have shown a largely stable picture over the last 4 years. That trend now appears to have been broken. The compound feed price indicator foresees further price increases, at least until the end of the year.

The increases are in line with developments in the commodity market. The drought in various grain production regions has shaken up those areas considerably. For example, the prices of feed wheat and barley (EU-Rotterdam) are above €210 per tonne. The wheat price on the matif in Paris recently also recorded above this level, but has since dropped somewhat.

Corn and soy are down 
Due to the tensions surrounding the trade war, the soy price has fallen to the lowest point in 2 years. In addition, there are good yields in the various production regions. The price of soy on the CBoT in Chicago at the beginning of September around $305 per ton; at the beginning of this year the quotation was still close to $400 per tonne.

Also corn price (Matif) has weakened due to good harvests and is trading at just above €180 per tonne at the beginning of September. The price declines for soy and corn cannot yet prevent chunk prices from rising further.The drought has shaken up the raw materials market considerably.