February 6, 2024

 

Value of Germany's livestock production fell by 0.8% in 2023

 

 

The production value of German agriculture remained almost constant in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to preliminary calculations by Germany's Federal Agricultural Information Center (BZL).

 

Crop production reached a value of €37.3 billion (US$40 billion, +1.4%), but livestock production is estimated at €35.3 billion euros (US$38 billion, -0.8%).

 

The weather conditions last year negatively impacted the harvest of many types of grain. In addition, low global market prices influenced the price of grain in Germany.

 

The further decrease in pig inventory led to price increases and thus to a rising production value.

 

Lower energy prices led to falling prices for fertilisers and compound feed.

 

The harvest of cereal crops as a whole fell 2% below 2022's level. While yields of oats (-41%) and barley (-28%) fell, grain corn recorded a higher yield (+23%); rye and triticale are estimated to have slightly lower or stable yields (wheat, -6%).

 

A price drop of 15-35% was observed for all types of grain (wheat, -30%). As a result, the production value of grain fell by 32.5% to €8.7 billion (US$9.4 billion).

 

Oilseeds achieved a production value of €1.9 billion (US$2.1 billion, -37%) last year. The increases in harvest volumes ranged from just under 1% for rapeseed and colza to 2% for soybeans and 4% for sunflower seeds. The prices achieved for rapeseed and colza fell by 38%, for soybeans by 25,% and for sunflower seeds by 47%.

 

The production value of fodder crops rose by 43.7% to €5.5 billion (US$6 billion) compared to 2022. Yields for most fodder crops, such as grass and corn silage, increased by around 3% to 16%. The prices achieved rose by between 3% (hay) and 47% (maize silage).

 

The production value for Germany's animals and animal products totaled €35 billion, of which €18 billion (US$20 billion) was attributable to animal production (+7.6%) and €17 billion (US$18 billion, -8.3%) to animal products.

 

According to preliminary calculations, the production value of pigs amounted to €8.9 billion (US$10 billion, +15%). 2022's already high prices rose further to €2,273 (US$2,464) per tonne in 2023 (+18%).

 

In contrast, the supply of animals fell again by 5%.

- BLE