After two months of price cuts, hay and straw prices in Germany are rising again for the first time since May, reports Agrarheute. The sharp increases are particularly noticeable in states that have been struggling with drought, torrential rain, floods and floods.
Good hay is worth its weight in gold
It seemed that animal farmers could sleep soundly, because the hay harvest in most of the states was successful, and the third cut was possible in August even in the north of the country. However, the problem turns out to be the poor quality of the hay. The farmers are very concerned about the rapid increase in the share of harmful grasses in the bales. There are also states where, due to excessive rainfall, hay can only be used as bedding in barns. As a result, the prices of good hay are going up.
The average federal hay price rose by more than 1 euro in September, to 123 euros per ton for a large bale. This is the first such price increase since May, we read in Agrarheute. Only in the federal states are agricultural chambers recording a further drop in hay prices after the harvest. The price range across the country is therefore large.
Read more
Hay and straw prices break records in Germany. Haymaking suspended
Where is the most expensive hay?
According to data from agricultural chambers, the highest hay prices in September are in Hesse, where you have to pay 158 euros per tonne for large bales. Next in the ranking is the eastern German state of Brandenburg, where a tonne currently costs 146 euros. Third place is occupied by Lower Saxony, where in the east of the state a tonne of hay is sold for 140 euros. It is worth noting, however, that hay was the most expensive in these states a month ago.
The price of hay, on the other hand, has risen sharply in Rhineland-Palatinate, where buyers have to pay an average of 135 euros per tonne. That is 5 euros more than a month ago. In Schleswig-Holstein, meanwhile, prices have stabilized at an average of 120 euros per tonne for a large bale of hay, while a year ago prices were already approaching 160 euros per tonne and were the highest in Germany.
In Saxony-Anhalt, a ton of hay costs 128 euros. In Westphalia, hay costs 125 euros per ton, which is 8 euros cheaper than in August. In North Rhine, the average price is already 118 euros – 15 euros less than in August. Hay prices in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have not changed – they are still 105 euros per ton. The cheapest prices are in Bavaria, where a ton of hay costs 111 euros, in Saxony – 103 euros per ton, and in Thuringia, where farmers have to pay 84 euros per ton of hay (1 euro more than in August).
Where are straw prices rising?
The price increases for straw were more dramatic in September. According to the federal average, buyers have to pay 107 euros per ton this month, which is 5 euros more than in the previous month. Significant increases in the price of straw were observed by four regional agricultural chambers.
The most spectacular increase occurred in North Rhine – from 15 euros per ton to 120 euros per ton. The most expensive straw is, however, in Saxony-Anhalt, where the price is 150 euros/ton – 7 euros more than in August. In Hesse, the price is as in the previous month – 110 euros, but in Schleswig-Holstein, straw rose in September by 6 euros to 109 euros per ton.
In Bavaria and Lower Saxony East, straw prices remain unchanged at 101 euros and 93 euros per tonne, respectively. In Lower Saxony West, the same as last month, at 90 euros. In Rhineland-Palatinate, it is 98 euros per tonne, 6 euros more than last month. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a large bale costs 87 euros per tonne, and in Brandenburg, 90 euros per tonne. The cheapest straw is still in Thuringia and Saxony, where a large bale costs only 80 euros per tonne.
Read more
How much straw for harvest 2024?
Read more
How much does straw cost this year?