After a long period of declining compound feed prices, there have now been upward trends for three consecutive months. This is due to higher feed prices. What are the expectations for the coming months?
In February, feed prices rose again. Grade A feed rose by €2,50 to €296,50 per tonne, a sharper increase than the previous month. Pig feed rose by €1 to €278 per tonne. Sow feed also became more expensive. The price of Grade B feed, which had fallen in the previous month, rose again by €2 to €309 per tonne. This is according to figures from Wageningen Social & Economic Research.
Commodity markets are rising
The price increases are the result of the upward movements in commodity prices in the fourth quarter of 2025 and early this year. Physical market prices for wheat and barley (EU-Rotterdam) have risen by about 10% since then. Insiders expect prices to remain relatively flat and may even fall back slightly.
Wheat is also trading at slightly higher prices on the futures markets, without any clear recovery. Global end-of-year stocks of feed grains are still too large for that. However, the International Grains Council (IGC) estimates a slightly tighter market due to increasing consumption in Asia.
Soy up and down
The price of soybeans in Chicago fluctuates, primarily driven by geopolitical events. With prices briefly exceeding $420 per ton, soybeans traded at their highest level since mid-November at the end of February. As with wheat, soybean supplies are also plentiful, so large price spikes are unlikely.
The Compound Feed Price Indicator of Boerenbusiness expects slightly rising prices for both chunks in the coming months cattle as pigs.