Strong poultry margins persist, pig sector recovery falters, dairy still well above average |
08/10/2025 |
In August 2025, the Dutch livestock sector presented a mixed picture. The dairy sector maintained strong margins thanks to relatively high milk and cattle prices, although its monthly gross margin declined slightly due to a lower milk price. Margins in the poultry sector remained exceptionally strong, particularly for laying hens. The pig finishing sector was unable to maintain its earlier recovery, while the sow sector saw a marked drop after the spring peak.
Dairy sector: margin remains high despite lower milk price
The standardised dairy farm recorded a monthly gross margin of 36,900 euros per farm in August 2025. This was 31% higher than a year earlier and more than 75% above the long-term average for this month, but slightly below the levels achieved in May, June and July. The modest decline was mainly the result of a lower milk price. High prices for cull cows and calves partly offset this. The rolling twelve-month gross margin stood at 65% above the long-term average, supported by favourable milk and cattle prices earlier in the year.
Sow sector: sharp decline after spring peak
The sow sector’s monthly gross margin dropped to 52,200 euros per farm in August, well below the June figure (80,300 euros) and more than halved since the April peak. Lower piglet prices and stable cull sow prices reduced revenues despite lower feed costs.
Nevertheless, the rolling twelve-month gross margin remained at a solid 760,000 euros per farm, still well above the long-term average of 470,000 euros.
Fattening pig sector: margins stable over summer
The fattening pig sector achieved a monthly gross margin of just over 38,000 euros per farm in August 2025, similar to last year but clearly above the 2024 annual average. Lower feed costs helped sustain margins despite declining revenues after the June peak. The rolling twelve-month gross margin amounted to almost 300,000 euros per farm, about 20% above the long-term average.
Broiler sector: margins remain strong
The broiler sector maintained robust results with a monthly gross margin of 54,800 euros per farm in August, well above the 2024 annual average. Higher broiler prices combined with stable to lower feed costs supported profitability.The rolling twelve-month gross margin reached 528,000 euros per farm, far above the long-term average of 145,000 euros.
Laying hens: margin remains exceptionally high
The laying hen sector recorded another exceptionally high monthly gross margin of almost 78,500 euros per farm in August 2025, more than two-and-a-half times higher than in August 2024 and far above the long-term average (49,000 euros).
The egg price fell slightly compared to the spring peak but remained historically high at 2.27 euros per kg. Lower feed costs and tight supply – partly due to avian influenza in the US and farm closures in Europe – helped keep margins strong. The rolling twelve-month gross margin reached a new record of 912,000 euros per farm. |