Fertilizer transportation costs are rising
According to industry magazine Boerderij, the costs for fertilizer suppliers are rising as the distance from the sales areas in the south-east and north of the Netherlands increases. Two years ago, arable farmers sometimes still had to pay for manure deliveries.
The upper limit of nitrogen was lowered and fertilizer storage was filled
The reason for the revival in the natural fertilizer market is, among other things, the lowering of the upper limits for the use of organic nitrogen set out in the EU Nitrates Directive. The previous exemptions for the Netherlands will gradually expire by the end of 2025. In addition, manure storage facilities could not be relieved due to the humidity last spring and in 2023.
Post-harvest relief?
Meanwhile, livestock farmers with serious storage problems continue to raise selling prices. This year's harvest may provide only short-term relief to the market if manure can be spread on stubble. However, crop consultants expect lower production than in previous years, as farmers are likely to rely more on mineral fertilisers. In addition, heavy tankers carrying slurry are still not accessible to all fields due to wet conditions.
Possible five-fold increase in surplus
According to the Dutch Manure Assessment Centre (NCM), the surplus of manure could increase fivefold by 2026. According to the coalition agreement of the new Dutch government, further reductions in the livestock herd, compulsory expropriations and general cuts in national manure production quotas should be avoided as far as possible. In the meantime, a further decline in the Dutch livestock herd and in manure processing and export will ease supply pressure.
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