Germany news — Vesper

Bird flu reaches Dutch layer farms while egg prices stall

Avian influenza reached commercial laying hens in the Netherlands, yet Europe's egg prices stayed flat and only organic and free-range supply is short.

SMP hits a GDT high not seen since 2022 while butter slides

SMP rose 3.1% at the Global Dairy Trade auction to its highest since June 2022, while butter fell another 4.7% with stocks high in every exporting region.

Record EU broiler supply meets the worst Newcastle year in two decades

EU broiler prices eased for a second week on record production, while Newcastle Disease outbreaks hit a 20-year high and Polish prices fell to a 2021 low.

Chocolate demand splits: Lindt cuts guidance, Nestlé grows volume

Lindt cut its full-year sales guidance and lost its chief executive while Nestlé grew chocolate volumes 5.4%, leaving cocoa demand without one direction.

Carriers go back through Suez and arrival dates stop lining up

Most big carriers are routing through the Suez Canal again, but not all at once, so some ships arrive early, others late, and terminal congestion follows.

Germany's beet crop comes in a quarter smaller than last season

WVZ now puts German sugar output about 25% below last season, and France is worse, with growers facing a compensation system that mostly will not pay.

Europe's egg market waits for its autumn lift, with organic still short

European egg prices have barely moved in two weeks and the usual October lift is late, while organic, free-range and extra-large eggs stay hard to find.

German HVO100 demand is on course to double this year

HVO100 has traded below B7 diesel across Germany since mid-August for the first time, and 2026 consumption is now put at more than double last year's.

Newcastle disease hits a 20-year high while EU chicken prices ease

EU broiler prices fell for a third week to €187/100kg on record supply, while Newcastle disease outbreaks reached 157 this year, the most in two decades.

EU sugar prices stay sticky while France's campaign runs short

France's beet campaign is now estimated at 97 days against a 122-day average, yet EU sugar values have barely reacted. Here are the reasons on the table.

European pig prices break lower after a strong year

German and Dutch pig prices fell about 10% in a month on oversupply. See where European pork prices head in our free Meat & Poultry Q4 outlook.

Rotterdam's ECT terminals now take trucks by time slot only

Trucks now need a booked slot at ECT Delta and Euromax in Rotterdam, while Asia to Europe spot rates fell for a second week during China's Golden Week.

Poland stays the swing factor as EU chicken heads into autumn

EU chicken output is growing but has turned more volatile, with Polish production down about 20% in July, while bird flu and Newcastle disease stay contained.

US eggs turn higher while Europe's rally pauses

US caged white egg prices rose 30.6% in two weeks on stronger demand, while European gains narrowed as record imports cap the caged end of the market.

MPC 85 is setting the floor under a falling WPC80 market

WPC80 prices are falling quickly in Europe and the US as buyers wait, but firm MPC 85 is closing the gap from the other side and limiting how far whey can drop.

EU poultry prices pull back as bird migration starts

European poultry output is running 4.4% ahead of last year and prices have come off their 2026 highs, just as the autumn bird migration season begins.

Europe's sugar import gap is wider than the quotas can fill

Only about 766,000 tonnes of the EU's 2.4 million tonnes of eligible sugar import volume is likely to arrive at current prices, leaving a real shortfall.

Summer heat leaves Europe short of free range eggs

Organic and free range eggs are scarce on European spot markets after the June and July heat waves, while the US wholesale market has found a floor.

Two routes into Rotterdam narrow at the same time

A cracked bridge has halved truck capacity to the Maasvlakte for up to eight weeks, while the Rhine at Kaub fell to 16 centimeters on 21 September.

Western Europe's cartonboard demand gives back May's gain

Apparent cartonboard demand in Western Europe fell 8% in June after an above-trend May, while North America grew 3% and Asian demand rose 14% again.

October white sugar delivery lands at a third of last year's

Under 500,000 tonnes were delivered against October London white sugar, against over 1.5 million a year ago, while funds built their largest long since 2023.

Europe enters winter with gas storage 16 points below normal

European gas storage sits at 68% against an 84% seasonal average, TTF is at three-year highs and the ECB has hiked again. What that means into winter.

One beet belt, two harvests: EU sugar pricing turns uneven

France may lift 65 to 70 tonnes of beet a hectare against 90 last season, while Belgian yields hold near 90. Some producers have pulled their offers.

The EU protein premium is now twice what a shipment needs

EU MPC 85 trades 29% above the US benchmark and WPC80 14% above it, against break-even premiums of roughly 5% and 6% once duty and freight are paid.

Cheese prices rise in Europe, fall everywhere else

European cheese offers are moving up on tighter milk, while US and New Zealand Cheddar keeps falling. The widening spread is a problem for EU exports.

Europe's certified eggs are being reserved for the shelf

European egg prices have risen for a fourth week, with barn eggs up 7.2% in a fortnight, and processors are the first buyers being crowded out.

India's duty-free sugar imports lose their appeal

India approved 1 MMT of duty-free raw sugar imports, but mills may take only half of it. EU output is set to fall almost 20% as drought hits beet yields.

UCO climbs 19% while Hormuz traffic sits near zero

UCO firmed 18.7% and the biodiesel complex followed, while Hormuz transits fell to zero and German HVO demand more than quadrupled year on year.

Butter surplus grows while dairy protein markets tighten

Butter is piling up across Europe, the US and New Zealand while SMP tightens on strong demand, pulling dairy markets in two very different directions.

Q4 whey negotiations stall in a pricing standoff

Whey protein markets are stuck in a Q4 standoff between buyers and sellers, while milk protein concentrate is sold out and climbing on reformulation demand.

Trucking costs ease in the Netherlands while ocean and river capacity stay tight

The Netherlands is cutting its truck toll 22% through year-end, but ocean capacity, a fragile Rhine recovery and tighter Panama Canal limits keep freight tight.

Europe's beet crop drought pushes buyers toward imports

Drought has left Europe's beet crop unrecoverable in places, and Vesper estimates the EU and UK may need 3.4 million tonnes of sugar imports this season.

Europe's egg prices turn higher while the US market cools

European egg prices are rising into autumn restocking while US wholesale prices fall as supply rebuilds, with Polish disease losses tightening Europe's flock.

Typhoon Dolphin's backlog outlasts the storm

Typhoon Dolphin has cleared the Zhejiang coast, but Ningbo and Shanghai backlogs, a record-low Rhine and new EU packaging rules keep shippers under pressure.

China's ports reopen. The shipping backlog does not.

Typhoon Dolphin has passed, but the container backlog at Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shanghai lands on an already tight August for shippers.

Europe's sugar beet crop has run out of time to recover

Drought has pushed EU beet yields in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK past recovery, weeks before harvest starts.

Egg markets diverge: Europe steadies while the US rally unwinds

Europe's egg market has stopped falling while the US posts its first broad weekly decline of its rally, and egg powder is now pricing off a different cycle.

EU sets an audit timeline for Brazil's poultry ban, opens a duck dispute with China

The EU has attached a firm audit calendar to Brazil's poultry suspension and opened a new anti-dumping case against Chinese duck imports.

Butter and milk powder markets test their stock cushion

Heavy production has left butter, SMP, and WMP stocks well supplied, and the second half of the year will show how much of that cushion gets drawn down.

India freight congestion deepens: blank sailings become the new normal

Container shortages and blanked sailings at Nhava Sheva and Mundra are delaying exports and pushing peak season surcharges sharply higher on the Europe route.

Cocoa grindings rise nearly 10%, but prices swing both ways

Global cocoa grindings rose 9.95% year on year, confirming demand is holding, but London and New York futures still fell nearly 9% on the data.

Heat stress builds for EU sugar beet as growers lock in low prices

A prolonged heatwave is stressing EU sugar beet just as growers lock in disappointing new-crop prices, raising the risk of factory closures in 2027.

Reefer space, monsoon ports and a low Rhine: this week's freight pressure points

Shypple flags three freight pressure points for food shippers: sold-out reefer space, monsoon and typhoon port delays, and a Rhine too low for full barges.

European sugar: buyers and sellers dig in on new-crop prices

The 2026/27 European sugar market is a standoff: buyers hold around €530 depending on volume while sellers try to keep the line near €600 bulk ex works.

Record May temperatures lift European grain futures as US crop weather eases CBOT

European and US grains diverged, with Euronext milling wheat up to EUR 214/mt while CBOT SRW wheat fell to 648 cents/bu from 678 on easing crop weather.

Südzucker's sugar division posts €177 million loss as S&P turns negative

Südzucker's sugar division posted a €177 million operating loss in 2025/26 against €13 million a year earlier, and S&P cut its debt outlook to negative.

Germany's RED III adoption and higher energy prices lift European biodiesel sharply

European biodiesel rose sharply in May, with FAME 0 up from $1,382 to $1,500 per tonne and UCOME reaching $1,652, after the Bundestag adopted RED III.

Vegetable oils track Brent higher as El Nino and Hormuz tensions set the agenda

Brent rose from $104 to $112 a barrel and vegetable oils moved with it, on fresh US threats to Iran and a new Iranian body to oversee the Strait of Hormuz.

European eggs cool while the US flips from scarcity to surplus

European eggs are easing from post-Easter highs, but unevenly: caged and standard soften on Eastern European supply while free-range stays tight on disease.

Rapeseed market firms after Germany adopts RED III

MATIF rapeseed rose to EUR 552/mt from EUR 508/mt after Germany adopted RED III, with tight EU stocks, strong crush and firmer crude oil all lending support.

Whey protein prices hold at all-time highs with demand destruction still elusive

WPC80 and WPI remain at record levels in Europe and the US, above the point where reformulation has begun but not yet enough to close the supply gap.

Soy and palm oils lead vegetable oil gains on biofuel policy and crude rebound

Soybean and palm oil led the vegetable oil complex higher, with CBOT soy oil up to 69.63 US cents/lb from 65.50 on a crude rebound and Southeast Asian policy.

Southeast Asia biodiesel mandates reshape palm oil supply outlook

Three major Southeast Asian palm oil producers are raising biodiesel blending mandates, with Indonesia moving to B50 from July 2026 for public service fuel.

US egg prices fall below production cost while Europe stays tight

The post-Easter egg market is moving two ways: US supply has rebuilt strongly with no new HPAI cases in laying flocks, while Europe stays tight.

Cheese markets flip from Q1 shortage to Q2 surplus

Q1 was defined by limited commodity cheese availability as export demand pulled volumes out of Europe and the US. At the start of Q2, that dynamic has shifted.

Sugar retreats from March highs on easing geopolitical risk

Sugar No. 11 stood at 13.88 cents/lb and No. 5 white at $424/mt on April 14, as ample supply and India holding its export quota outweighed easing geopolitics.

Vegetable oil prices ease on ceasefire news, palm oil outlook mixed

A two-week US-Iran ceasefire announced on April 8 sent Brent crude sharply lower, putting immediate pressure across the whole vegetable oil complex.

Variable spring weather disrupts EU sugar beet drilling, area down 7% year on year

Beet drilling has been uneven across northern Europe this spring, with France 93% planted by March 23rd, adding uncertainty to the 2026/27 EU sugar outlook.

European egg market enters Easter under supply pressure

Europe's egg market enters Easter with firm demand, limited supply and elevated retail prices, as disease outbreaks and staggered holidays tighten the picture.

EU sugar beet farmers face higher costs as energy prices climb

European sugar beet growers head into the 2026 planting season facing higher costs, with UK red diesel up 60% since the Middle East conflict began.

European egg shortage deepens ahead of Easter as disease outbreaks hit supply

Europe's egg market is under severe pressure 15 days from Easter, as HPAI and Newcastle Disease outbreaks force the culling of millions of laying hens.

Potato starch market outlook 2026: record 2025 harvest drives prices to lowest point since 2024

A very favourable 2025 crop has driven potato starch prices down, with Dutch output reaching 3.62 million tonnes, 15.5% above 2024, and Germany near 13.4m.

Walnut market forecast 2026: abundant California supply offers buyers a favourable window

California's 2025 walnut crop came in at 801,432 inshell tons, 13% above the USDA estimate, leaving prices below production cost for many growers.

Weather anomalies raise risks across key sugar regions

Unusual February weather raised production risks across Europe, Brazil, India and China, with northern France recording rainfall far above the seasonal norm.

Dairy markets firm on scarce offers and strong export demand

A shortage of offers is lifting butter and SMP prices across Europe, the US and Oceania, as sellers export aggressively or hold back rather than quote.

EU sugar production projected to fall 10% as consumption uncertainty clouds market outlook

EU sugar production is projected to fall to 15.4 million tonnes in 2026/27 from 17.05 million, on 7% lower plantings and less favourable growing conditions.

Europe faces Easter egg shortage as Poland loses 5 million laying hens

Poland has lost at least 5 million laying hens in six weeks, nearly 10% of national capacity, pointing to severe Easter egg shortages across Europe.

Polish chicken prices fall as Avian Influenza outbreak triggers 2.79 million bird cull

Poland reported 22 new avian influenza outbreaks and culled 2.79 million birds, sending Polish chicken breast prices down 3.7% while French prices rose.

Container shipping rates drop ahead of Chinese New Year as demand falls short

Spot rates fell by double digits on Asia-Europe and Asia-America routes in late January, as the expected pre-Chinese New Year demand surge failed to arrive.

European sugar producers face mounting losses as Süedzucker reports €136 million deficit

Süedzucker posted a €136 million operating loss in its sugar division against €23 million a year earlier, while Nordzucker recorded a €56 million loss.

EU egg market faces structural supply pressure as avian influenza culls and trade restrictions tighten availability

Empty shelves across Austria, Germany and France signal structural supply tightness in EU egg markets. HPAI culls, slow restocking

Cocoa prices hit 2-year low as farmgate pricing crisis leaves African beans stranded at ports

London cocoa fell over 12% to 3,347 GBP/t, a two-year low, as fixed farmgate prices in Ivory Coast and Ghana created a West African supply bottleneck.

Egg markets face dual pressure from avian flu outbreaks and rising energy costs

Germany reports 25 farm cases and France 33, the Netherlands has culled 62,000 hens, and Arctic weather is driving a sharp November energy cost spike.

Global milk production overwhelms demand, timing mismatches amplify market pain

US cheese hit 2025 lows and the butter spread to retail topped $2.77/lb, as strong milk output across the US, Europe and New Zealand overwhelms demand.

European butter surplus climbs to 106,000 metric tons

European butter production surged 5.09% in 2025 to leave a 106,000 mt surplus, with cream cheap at €5,500/mt and buyers already covered for their needs.

Shipping rates from Asia to Europe climb 3-4% on major routes

Shipping rates from Asia to Europe increased 3-4% on major routes as carriers manage capacity and 2026 contract negotiations begin.

Rapeseed oil prices hold firm on tight supply and biodiesel policy expectations

December crude rapeseed oil FOB Dutch Mill reached EUR 1,085/mt, up from EUR 1,075/mt, with the market in backwardation on tight European Union supply.

Germany and Netherlands eye policy shifts that could reshape European biodiesel demand

Germany and the Netherlands are weighing an end to double counting for advanced biofuels, a change that could significantly reshape EU biodiesel demand.

Chocolate makers adjust recipes as cocoa costs remain elevated

High cocoa prices are driving recipe changes across the industry, with rice, oats and sunflower seeds replacing cocoa and some bars losing the chocolate label.

Raw sugar prices hit four-year lows on surplus concerns

Raw sugar futures fell to 14.37 cents per pound, the lowest since April 2021, after São Paulo conferences raised Brazilian output and Indian export concerns.

Germany considers ending UCOME double-counting by January 2026

Germany plans to end double-counting for advanced biofuels including UCOME from January 2026 under RED III, potentially reshaping European biodiesel.

European sugar prices decline over 20% since May

European sugar prices have fallen over 20% since May to €475/tonne as exceptional harvest yields and evolving market dynamics reshape pricing

European sugar prices trade below import parity while 2026 acreage faces potential cuts

European beet belt sugar prices are trading below the €586 per tonne import parity threshold, while early data points to a 3% acreage cut for 2026.

Dry European weather and China frost risk test global grain outlook

European grain regions face a predominantly dry spell on the ECMWF forecast, while China's central corn and soybean belt braces for potential frost damage.

European sugar prices fall below import parity amid 2025 harvest season

European white sugar for 2026 delivery has dropped below import parity for the first time in a year, opening a rare window for manufacturers to cover.

Polish sugar beet growers earn €52.55 per tonne, highest in Europe with EU subsidy support

Polish sugar beet farmers receive €52.55 per tonne, the highest in Europe, while still drawing EU subsidies designed to support less competitive regions.

Raw sugar futures recover as Brazilian mills eye ethanol production shift

Raw sugar futures bounced back to 16.1 cents/lb as Brazilian mills signal potential pivot to ethanol production. European yields exceed forecasts..

European whey protein concentrate hits price ceiling as production declines persist

European WPC80 has stabilised around €12,150/mt while US markets keep climbing, with production down more than 10% across regions on processor cutbacks.

Raw sugar futures break below 16 cents as Brazilian mills weigh ethanol shift

Raw sugar futures closed at 15.9 cents per pound on higher supply expectations and negative fund positioning, as Brazilian mills weigh a shift to ethanol.

Brazil lifts sugar production to five-year high while Europe faces oversupply

Brazil’s Center–South mills pushed sugar output to the highest early-August level in five years, with 55% of cane directed to sugar.

Dairy fat prices correct lower as milk production increases globally

Global dairy fat prices face downward pressure from record milk production while whey protein markets enter tight Q4 purchasing window.

Sugar prices drop to 16 cents as Brazil's Center-South production picks up pace

Sugar prices decline to near 16 cents/lb driven by Brazil's Center-South production increase and potential Indian export expansion.

Biodiesel prices edge higher as feedstock costs rise amid tariff deadline pressure

FAME0 gains $6/mt to $1,322/mt while UCO prices surge. HVO softens as August tariff deadlines approach. LSGO drops $84/mt on trade war fears.

Biodiesel prices rebound after sharp decline on Middle East ceasefire

Week 26: biodiesel prices fell hard on the Israel-Iran ceasefire before recovering, as European regulatory changes reshaped HVO and UCO demand.

Sugar prices under pressure as global surplus expectations dominate market sentiment

Global sugar surplus drives prices lower despite European beet acreage cuts and drought stress. Raw sugar hits 17.2 cents/lb.

Sugar market analysis: Short-term volatility amidst long-term pressure

Vesper's latest sugar market analysis reveals short-term price support from Brazil's 53% production drop, while long-term bearish pressure looms from India and

Oceanian prices exceed expectations on the GDT

Latest Vesper market report reveals Oceania WMP jumped $365/mt at GDT while European butter falls to €7,100/mt amid peak milk production. Discover critical EU-U

US dairy markets hold steady amid global economic turbulence, tariff negotiations critical for export outlook

Discover how US dairy markets remain stable amid economic turbulence, with February production trends and 90-day tariff negotiations reshaping export dynamics.

The Global Impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on the Dairy Market

Explore the impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on the global dairy market, from price shifts and buyer preferences to trade bans.

How the Dairy Market is Reacting to Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Germany: Impact on Butter, SMP, and WMP Exports and Prices

Explore how foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Germany is disrupting the dairy market. Get insights on the impact on butter, SMP, and WMP prices

Global Sugar Market Update: Pressure on global prices persists

Pressure on global sugar prices, production declines in Brazil & Europe, and the outlook for 2025. Stay informed with Vesper.

Biodiesel Market Update: Key Trends Driving Price Dynamics

Biodiesel prices have dropped sharply on softer demand and a steep decline in used cooking oil values. The key trends now shaping pricing across regions.

European Sugar Market Update: Is This the Optimal Buying Window for European Buyers?

The JRC MARS bulletin revised the EU27 sugar beet yield forecast up to 75.4 tonnes per hectare, above September's 74.7 and the five-year average of 73.2.

4 Key Factors Driving Biodiesel Prices to New Highs

Discover the top 4 factors driving biodiesel prices to new highs, from increased demand and German regulations to supply disruptions.

Sucrose Levels Are Falling Below the 5-Year Average in Parts of Europe Due to Unfavorable Weather Patterns

Heavy rainfall and humidity in Germany and France are causing sucrose levels in sugar beets to fall below the 5-year average.

POME Market Update: Price Movements and Regulatory Changes

The latest insights on BMD Crude Palm Oil prices, Malaysia's palm oil stocks, and rising POME prices and Indonesia's new export regulations.

Rapeseed complex is stronger w-o-w on weather worries

Discover how adverse weather conditions in key regions are driving up rapeseed and canola prices. Explore the latest price increases here.

Dairy Market: European liquids prices are through the roof, with cream reaching extremely high

Discover the latest trends in the European dairy market. Declining milk production and more buyers influencing butter, SMP, and WMP prices.

Dairy Market Update: Fluctuations in Liquid Milk Prices

Understand the trends affecting raw milk, cream, SMC, and whey concentrate prices, and discover the implications of regional price variations

Increase in West-EU Biodiesel Prices Following New Legislations and Import Duties

Explore the significant increase in West-EU biodiesel prices driven by new German legislation and anticipated import duties.

Germany allows HVO100 and B10 sales at gas stations, driving ARA biodiesels up

RME, UCOME, FAME 0, and HVO (UCO) prices have all soared in West-EU markets in response to Germany's B10 and HVO100 pump sales policy change.

EU Sugar Production Forecast for 2024/2025, including Pricing Insights

Stay ahead with our EU Sugar Production Forecast for 2024/2025. Get insights into beet cultivation, market trends, and price indices.

European crop faces delays as main producers grapple with flooding and above-average rains

Storms and saturated ground have delayed the North West Europe sugar beet harvest, with France only 50% cut by mid-November against a typical 80%.

Factors contributing to the global decrease in rapeseed oil prices

Discover the latest sentiments in diesel and biodiesel demand with Vesper, and see how economic shifts affect the vegetable oil market.

EU biodiesel is down w-o-w, Vesper hears large purchases of Chinese biodiesel

Learn about the EU biodiesel dip and Chinese market movements with Vesper. Adapt your trading strategy with our timely insights.

Highlights on the Butter and Whey market: Is someone interested in proteins?

Dairy market sees strong supply in Northern Hemisphere, with production increases; demand uncertainty affects price stability.

Big differences are starting to occur between European countries

EU28 milk production rose 0.98% year on year, but growth rates differ substantially between individual European countries. Where the gaps are widest.

Historical high sugar prices push buyers to source outside Europe

White sugar prices soar to historic highs in the EU, driven by shortages and rising energy costs, averaging 1,199 EUR/MT at the negotiation period.

EU: official butter prices static

Official butter prices were unchanged in Germany, France and the Netherlands, leaving the EU wholesale average at €7,263/t for a third straight week.

Brazil is likely to export record ethanol to Europe this year

Brazilian ethanol exports are on track for a record year as overseas sales look more attractive than the domestic market, according to S&P Global analysis.

EU: July milk production – signs of recovery

EU July milk production was down 0.5% year on year but up 0.4% on the month, with Poland up 5.8%, Belgium 4.2%, the Netherlands 3.5% and Ireland 1.0%.

EU: May Milk Production Up 0.8%

EU-27 May milk production rose 0.8%, with Ireland up 4.0%, Italy 2.5%, Belgium 2.3%, and Poland and Spain both 1.8%, while France fell 1.6% on the year.

Vegetable Oil Highlights

Palm oil took several big hits last week, falling back to levels not seen since before the war in Ukraine began and dragging the oilseed complex with it.

EU: PRODUCT MANUFACTURE FOLLOWS MILK DOWN

EU January milk production fell 0.7%, with Ireland down 4.1%, the Netherlands 2.7%, and Germany and France both 2.2%, though 12 member states still grew.