Netherlands news

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.

Chinese New Year comes 11 days early, and the cut-off is close

Chinese New Year falls on 6 February 2027, so Asia to Europe cargo has to leave China by mid to late December. November rates look flat.

EU sugar stocks may be 500,000 tonnes higher than reported

Sugar imported under Inward Processing is missing from EU stock figures, and the gap may add at least 500,000 tonnes while the beet crop keeps disappointing.

Cheese spot markets jumped while the supply picture stayed heavy

Mozzarella and Gouda tightened in Europe while US blocks rose about 18% in under a week on two recalls, with the cheese fundamentals unchanged underneath.

Lula's win knocked Brazil's currency, and sugar went with it

The real posted its biggest drawdown since 1999 after Lula's re-election, pulling raw sugar nearly 5% lower in a single session with fund length already high.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gasoil's 26% climb lifts biodiesel as Hormuz talks stall

Low sulfur gasoil rose 26% to $1,568 a tonne after Strait of Hormuz talks were postponed, pulling FAME and HVO up while used cooking oil eased.

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.

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.

The audit ends a day after Brazil loses EU poultry access

New EU antimicrobial rules took effect on 3 September and the audit of Brazilian producers finished on the 4th. Brussels has set no timeline to restore access.

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.

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.

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.

Spain's Newcastle disease outbreaks nearly triple; Brazil braces for an EU ban

Newcastle disease outbreaks nearly tripled in Spain in two weeks while Brazil faces an EU poultry export ban from September, tightening the supply outlook.

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.

Ocean rates climb into July, with new tolls and surcharges close behind

Asia to North Europe freight rates have risen for six straight weeks, and procurement teams importing through the region should plan for more of the same.

Brazil loses EU poultry access from September; the authorisation body meets too late to fix it

The European Commission has confirmed Brazil cannot export poultry meat to the EU from 3 September 2026, after missing the antimicrobial compliance list.

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.

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.

Energy market strength lifts sugar to one-month high

Raw sugar extended its climb, with the NY11 July contract closing at a one-month high of 15.37 USc/lb on stronger oil and a firmer Brazilian real.

Nordic Sugar to close Porkalla refinery, first EU standalone closure since end of quotas

Nordic Sugar will close its standalone refinery at Porkalla, Finland and move raw sugar refining to its beet factory, the first such EU closure since quotas.

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.

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 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.

Record Brazilian exports push global poultry prices lower

Global poultry heads into late March broadly bearish, with Brazilian and Thai origins falling across whole birds, breast meat and wings on record exports.

European dairy market forecast 2026: milk, butter, smp, wmp, swp, cheeses

European dairy in 2026 is not one market but several: some categories are well supplied and stable, others have tightened far beyond what was expected.

European raw milk forecast: strong flush adds supply pressure across dairy markets in H1 2026

European raw milk output accelerated through late 2025 and that momentum carries into 2026, with the flush set to add significant volume in Q1 and Q2.

Gouda market forecast 2026: prices move higher as stocks stay lean and Dutch production expected to shrink

Gouda output was robust across Europe in 2025 on strong milk, yet stocks stayed lean as consumption and exports absorbed volumes, and prices moved higher.

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.

US dairy exports hit records as American product finds new markets worldwide

US butterfat exports are up 166% year on year and cheese exports have hit all-time highs, driven largely by competitive American pricing on global markets.

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.

European poultry market remains under pressure after brief February recovery

A brief February recovery on the return of school meals and monthly salaries has not reversed the broader downward trend in European poultry prices.

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.

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

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.

European cheese producers sell forward to avoid Q1 weakness as buyers hold back

Gouda has fallen to EUR 2,980/mt as producers lock in Q1 and Q2 sales ahead of seasonal weakness, while buyers hold back waiting for further declines.

European sugar processors announce 2026 acreage cuts following stock accumulation

European processors have announced larger-than-expected 2026 acreage cuts on high stocks, while Brazilian mills wrap up early with 120 units finished.

European sugar producers cut beet area in emergency move

Suedzucker is offering a €10/tonne premium to cut 2026 beet area as European sugar falls to €425/tonne, while French growers battle virus yellows.

Record yields drive European sugar producers to cut 2026 output

Major European sugar producers announce significant production cuts for 2026 as record yields and elevated stocks create supply pressures.

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.

European sugar producers face break-even crisis with prices at €450

European sugar has fallen to €450 ex-factory beet belt on a bulk basis, pushing producers toward break-even after sharp declines in New York 11 futures.

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

HPAI returns to Northern Europe after months of calm

Avian influenza outbreaks have returned to the Netherlands and Denmark, marking the start of the winter risk period as shell egg prices move seasonally up.

European cheese prices fall as milk production surpluses mount

European cheese prices decline across Gouda, Mozzarella, Cheddar and Emmental as milk production surpluses of 5-7% YOY create abundant supply

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.

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.

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..

EU sugar prices tumble €25 per tonne as harvest outlook brightens

European sugar corrected sharply, with prices falling about €25 per tonne across the EU beet belt on exceptionally good harvest conditions this season.

Starch markets show mixed signals as industrial demand softens

September starch markets are mixed, with European potato starch facing oversupply while tapioca demand from Chinese manufacturers stays robust.

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.

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 markets stabilize as "Big Beautiful Bill" reshapes North American feedstock trade

US biofuel law limits feedstocks to North America, challenging Chinese UCO and Brazilian tallow suppliers. LSGO rises $18/mt. Get Vesper's analysis.

Biodiesel markets show mixed signals as geopolitical tensions support LSGO prices

FAME0 and UCOME rise on higher LSGO prices while RME drops on harvest pressure, with German HVO demand expected to quadruple this year.

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.

Biodiesel prices strengthen on geopolitical tensions and EPA mandate boost

Week 25: biodiesel markets strengthen as the Iran conflict lifts the energy complex and the EPA proposes 5.61 billion gallon biofuel blending targets.

Biodiesel prices surge as ISCC certificate suspension rocks European market

Week 24: FOB ARA biodiesel prices climb after ISCC certification is suspended for a major European biorefinery and petroleum diesel fundamentals firm.

Cocoa markets remain volatile as ICCO widens global supply deficit to 494,000 tons

The ICCO widened its 2023/24 cocoa deficit estimate to 494,000 tons as mid-crop quality concerns persist in West Africa. Futures hit $10,974 before easing.

Biodiesel markets face mixed pressures as feedstock dynamics shift in late May 2025

European biodiesel prices diverge in late May 2025 as FOB ARA UCOME slips, UCO imports surge 17% and RME strengthens on rapeseed supply concerns.

European cheese market update: Buyers find no bargains as demand surges

European cheese consumption surges 16.91% YOY, driving unexpected price increases despite peak production. Get the latest on cheddar, gouda, emmental and mozzar

Global Biodiesel and Vegetable Oil Markets See Mixed Movements Amid Political and Economic Developments

Explore the latest trends in biodiesel and vegetable oil markets, including price drops, regulatory updates, and global supply forecasts.

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.

European biodiesel prices are strengthening due to strong LSGO prices

Rising LSGO demand, geopolitical tensions, and potential Dutch HBE ticket policy changes are driving up European biodiesel prices, Vesper reports.

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

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.

The Relationship between Biodiesel Prices Increases and Used Cooking Oil

Discover the latest dynamics in the EU biodiesel market with a notable uptick in prices across RME, UCOME, and FAME0 indices.

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%.

Biodiesel up on stronger LSGO and improved buyers' interest

Explore the latest increase in the European biodiesel complex as prices for RME, UCOME, and FAME 0 experience notable increases.

Sluggish demand within the European diesel and biodiesel market in Q4

Explore biodiesel trends: RME prices rise, UCO falls, with Vesper's precise pricing data and market Highlights shaping your strategy.

Narrow UCOME-RME spread - more appetite for lower CFPP blends

Learn about the narrow UCOME-RME spread and its impact on CFPP blends. Vesper's insights help you adapt your commodity trading strategy.

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.

Limited trading activity characterises the UCOME market amidst rising prices

Explore the UCOME market's nuanced landscape with rising prices and limited trading activity. Uncover the impact of low liquidity and increased UCO prices on UC

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.

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.

Tereos Brasil to earn US$ 100 million with increased sales to Europe

With two mills newly certified to export ethanol to Europe, Tereos Brasil plans to send 25% of its 2022/23 biofuel output there, the largest volume yet.

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: 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.

Netherlands: FRIESLANDCAMPINA ANNOUNCE JOB LOSSES, SITE CLOSURE & REDUCED ACTIVITY

FrieslandCampina will close its Rotterdam liquid milk facility and merge it into Maasdam, citing cost efficiency, carbon targets and added-value products.