For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Cattle Feed Prices in North America
- In United States, the Cattle Feed Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by rising production costs.
- The Producer Price Index rose 4.0% in March 2026, driving the Cattle Feed Production Cost Trend upward.
- Consumer prices increased 3.3% in March 2026, raising transportation and freight costs for bulky cattle feed ingredients.
- Retail sales grew 4.0% in March 2026, supporting a positive Cattle Feed Demand Outlook for beef and dairy.
- A stable 4.3% unemployment rate and 91.8 consumer confidence index in March 2026 supported premium protein consumption.
- Industrial production grew 0.7% while the manufacturing index expanded in March 2026, ensuring stable feed additive availability.
- Cattle feedlot placements strengthened in February 2026, although total cattle on feed inventory weakened slightly in March 2026.
- The Cattle Feed Price Forecast indicated upward pressure during Q1 2026 due to elevated processing and transportation expenses.
Why did the price of Cattle Feed change in March 2026 in North America?
- The Producer Price Index increased 4.0% in March 2026, directly raising feed milling operational costs.
- Consumer prices rose 3.3% in March 2026, elevating transportation expenses for bulky cattle feed ingredients.
- Soybean meal feedstock costs inched up and diesel fuel inventories remained tightened in March 2026.
Cattle Feed Prices in APAC
- In China, the Cattle Feed Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by elevated soybean meal feedstock costs.
- The Cattle Feed Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as the Producer Price Index rose 0.5%.
- The Cattle Feed Demand Outlook stabilized in March 2026 because the Consumer Price Index increased 1.0%.
- Industrial production grew 5.7% in March 2026, ensuring robust supply availability for the Cattle Feed Price Index.
- Retail sales grew 1.7% and unemployment reached 5.4% in March 2026, bearishly impacting the Cattle Feed market.
- Consumer confidence hit 91.6 in February 2026, while the Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, influencing processing.
- Beef and mutton production contracted in Q1 2026, directly weakening the overall Cattle Feed Demand Outlook.
- Corn import volumes surged in Q1 2026, which weakened corn feedstock costs for Cattle Feed production.
- The Cattle Feed Price Forecast remained elevated in Q1 2026 following tightened domestic soybean inventories.
Why did the price of Cattle Feed change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Soybean meal feedstock costs strengthened in Q1 2026 due to elevated imported soybean expenses.
- The Producer Price Index rose 0.5% in March 2026, increasing factory-gate Cattle Feed processing costs.
- Milk production strengthened in Q1 2026, bolstering dairy cattle feed requirements across the APAC region.
Cattle Feed Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Cattle Feed Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging upstream production costs.
- Consumer inflation reached 2.7% in March 2026, while producer prices declined by 0.2% during the same period.
- Industrial production remained completely flat at 0.0% in February 2026, alongside a modest 0.7% retail sales increase.
- The unemployment rate stood at 4.2% in February 2026, while consumer confidence dropped to -24.7 in March 2026.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, supporting broader agricultural logistics and commercial meat processing supply chains.
- The Cattle Feed Demand Outlook strengthened as dairy sector milk production requirements increased significantly in February 2026.
- The Cattle Feed Production Cost Trend escalated because soybean meal feedstock costs increased throughout Q1 2026.
- The Cattle Feed Price Forecast remained elevated as national production output increased amidst tightened wheat availability in March 2026.
Why did the price of Cattle Feed change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Energy costs for feed processing surged as natural gas prices spiked sharply in March 2026.
- Soybean meal import volumes faced severe logistical disruptions, tightening critical feedstock inventories across the region in Q1 2026.
- Dairy sector demand for cattle feed strengthened considerably, driving higher overall consumption rates during January 2026.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Cattle Feed Prices in North America
- In United States, Cattle Feed Price Index remained stable in Q4 2025, balancing inflation and falling specific input costs.
- Cattle Feed production costs declined in Q4 2025, due to weakened soybean meal and plummeted natural gas prices.
- Cattle Feed demand remained robust in Q4 2025, supported by 2.0% industrial production increase in December 2025.
- Consumer spending strengthened, with retail sales rising 3.3% in November 2025, boosting beef and dairy demand.
- The 4.4% unemployment rate in December 2025 supported consumer confidence and increased food purchases.
- U.S. corn stocks increased significantly by December 1, 2025, contributing to deflated grain markets.
- U.S. cattle inventory declined in Q4 2025, tightening supply despite robust fourth-quarter beef production.
- Rising general inflation, with CPI increasing 2.7% in December 2025, impacted feed producers' operational costs.
Why did the price of Cattle Feed change in December 2025 in North America?
- Weakened soybean meal and plummeted natural gas reduced Cattle Feed production expenses in December 2025.
- Strong consumer demand, evidenced by rising retail sales in November 2025, supported Cattle Feed consumption.
- Increased U.S. corn stocks by December 1, 2025, deflated grain markets, impacting feedstock prices.
Cattle Feed Prices in APAC
- In China, the Cattle Feed Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by declining feedstock costs.
- Cattle Feed production costs decreased in Q4 2025, as corn feedstock remained low and soybean meal prices reached new lows.
- Demand for meat and dairy products strengthened in China during 2025, supported by a 0.8% CPI rise in December 2025.
- China's Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, indicating economic growth and supporting overall feed demand.
- Industrial Production rose by 5.2% year-on-year in December 2025, boosting consumer spending on food products.
- Ample domestic corn stocks and massive soybean reserves ensured sufficient feedstock supply throughout Q4 2025.
- Soybean imports reached their highest November level since 2021, driven by persistent domestic animal feed demand.
- Producer Price Index fell by 1.9% year-on-year in December 2025, pressuring farmer margins for agricultural products.
Why did the price of Cattle Feed change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Feedstock costs, including corn and soybean meal, declined significantly in Q4 2025, reducing production expenses.
- Ample domestic corn and massive soybean reserves ensured robust supply throughout Q4 2025, easing market pressure.
- Despite strengthened demand for meat and dairy, lower production costs exerted downward pressure on prices.
Cattle Feed Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Cattle Feed Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by weakening consumer demand.
- Cattle Feed production costs rose in Q4 2025, driven by surging German power and upward natural gas prices.
- Staple grain prices, including wheat and maize, continued moderate upward trends in 2025, increasing input costs.
- Consumer confidence declined to -17.5 in December 2025, dampening demand for meat and dairy products.
- The Manufacturing Index in Germany was contracting in December 2025, signaling overall economic activity slowdown.
- Retail sales increased 1.1% in November 2025, while industrial production rose 0.8% in October 2025.
- Cattle Feed demand remained constrained in Q4 2025, due to -2.5% PPI, 1.8% CPI, and 6.2% unemployment.
- The Cattle Feed Price Index is forecast to remain stable or face downward pressure into early 2026.
Why did the price of Cattle Feed change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Rising natural gas prices and surging German power in Q4 2025 increased Cattle Feed production costs.
- Weakening consumer confidence at -17.5 in December 2025 reduced demand for meat and dairy products.
- A -2.5% PPI, 1.8% CPI, and 6.2% unemployment in December 2025 impacted purchasing power and profitability.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
Cattle Feed Prices in North America
- In United States, Cattle Feed Price Index rose in Q3 2025, driven by robust demand and producer input costs.
- Cattle prices surged to record highs in August and September 2025, signaling strong demand for beef products.
- Dairy cow numbers and milk production forecasts revised upward for 2025, sustaining demand for dairy feed.
- U.S. feed grains supply increased in Q3 2025, leading to softened grain prices versus prior year.
- Natural gas spot prices eased in September 2025 due to mild weather and increased marketed production.
- Producer Price Index increased 2.6% year-over-year in August 2025, reflecting rising input costs for feed.
- Retail sales, excluding auto and gas, increased 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025, supporting consumer demand.
- Consumer confidence declined in September 2025, impacting spending on higher-priced food items.
- Cattle Feed Production Cost Trend was mixed, with lower grain and energy costs offset by broader producer inflation.
Why did the price of Cattle Feed change in September 2025 in North America?
- Strong beef and dairy demand, with cattle prices surging in Q3 2025, supported feed prices.
- Producer input costs increased 2.6% year-over-year in August 2025, contributing to upward pressure.
- Robust retail sales, up 5.42% in September 2025, indicated healthy consumer appetite.
Cattle Feed Prices in APAC
- In China, the Cattle Feed Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by deflationary pressures and contracting manufacturing activity.
- The Cattle Feed Price Forecast indicates continued downward pressure due to subdued domestic demand and farmer unprofitability.
- Cattle Feed Production Costs saw mixed trends; domestic corn production climbed, but weather impacted yields in Q3 2025.
- Demand for soybean meal weakened in Q3 2025 as pig and poultry farming faced prolonged unprofitability.
- China's Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, and consumer confidence was low at 89.6.
- The unemployment rate stood at 5.2% in September 2025, indicating reduced consumer purchasing power.
- Despite industrial production rising 6.5% and retail sales growing 3.0% in September 2025, overall demand remained soft.
- China's corn imports fell sharply in Q3 2025, reflecting a strong policy emphasis on self-sufficiency.
Why did the price of Cattle Feed change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Deflationary pressures, with CPI at -0.3% in September 2025, dampened consumer demand for meat and dairy.
- Producer Price Index declined by 2.3% in September 2025, suggesting lower input costs and weak demand.
- Prolonged unprofitability in livestock farming reduced feed purchases, weakening soybean meal demand in Q3 2025.
Cattle Feed Prices in Europe
- In Germany, Cattle Feed Price Index inched up in Q3 2025, influenced by rising animal feeding stuff costs.
- Cattle Feed Production Cost Trend remained stable in Q3 2025, despite high input costs for farmers.
- Cattle Feed Demand Outlook was robust in Q3 2025, driven by sustained demand for quality products.
- Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% in September 2025, potentially impacting consumer purchasing power.
- Producer Price Index declined 1.7% in September 2025, reducing feed production costs.
- Manufacturing Index contracted in Q3 2025, signaling economic weakness affecting animal product spending.
- Industrial Production declined 1.0% in September 2025, indicating a weakening economy.
- Retail sales increased 0.2% in September 2025, supporting stable consumer demand for animal products.
- Ample domestic grain availability and robust EU inventories supported Cattle Feed supply.
- Cattle Feed Price Forecast suggests continued stability, balancing cost pressures with steady demand.
Why did the price of Cattle Feed change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Animal feeding stuffs prices in the EU inched up in Q3 2025, increasing Cattle Feed production costs.
- Producer Price Index declined 1.7% year-over-year in September 2025, partially offsetting input costs.
- Robust demand for quality animal products supported Cattle Feed demand in Q3 2025.
