The hectic pace of raw materials is all but over. Grain prices remain stable or are even rising. This is reflected in the lump prices, which rose again in October.
It is remarkable that the prices of corn and soy on the American stock exchange are holding up well. The harvest in the US is progressing steadily and yields are good according to various sources. Prices usually drop during the harvest due to direct supply of corn or soy, but that is not happening now, just as happened with wheat earlier this year.
Chunks are becoming increasingly expensive
Among cattle chunks, silage maize core chunks have risen the most in price, by €0,35 to €39,80 per 100 kilos, according to figures from Wageningen Economic Research. Standard chunk A and Protein-rich chunk (B) have both become €0,10 more expensive, amounting to €28,65 and €30,75 per 100 kilos respectively. Rose clover chunk has become €0,25 more expensive and costs €32,20 per 100 kilos in October. Beef bull chunks are €29,45 per 100 kilos, €0,20 more expensive than in September.
The pork chunks have risen even faster than the beef chunks. Baby piglet pellet, starter/transition pellet and fattening pig pellets have all become €0,25 more expensive compared to September and therefore cost €40,60, €33,25 and €28,75 per 100 kilos respectively in October. Sow pellet pregnancy costs €30 per 100 kilos. That is €0,30 higher than last month. Sow pellet lakto has also become €0,30 more expensive, which amounts to €34,50 per 100 kilos.
What else can we expect?
De Boerenbusiness Compound feed price indicator predicts that chunk prices will drop somewhat in the coming month. Given the good American harvest and normal seasonal patterns, this would also make sense. However, the market is not following the usual patterns this year. For example, the prices of feed wheat, corn and feed barley on the stock exchange in Rotterdam have been in a stable upward trend for weeks. And that quotation often gives a good indication of what is actually paid on the Dutch market.