Netherlands - Pig-farming sector has efficient production, but manure results in high costs

The Dutch pig-farming sector is operating within a competitive European market, and production costs play an important role in the sector’s competitiveness. At €1.41 per kg of slaughter weight in 2009, the Netherlands’ production costs are fairly average compared with those in rival countries within Europe. However, Dutch pig farmers pay a relatively high price for the disposal of manure: 5% of the production costs.

Environmental costs are particularly striking in the Netherlands. A large proportion of these costs consist of manure-disposal costs (approx. 8%). The costs on a closed farm with 500 sows and an average of 4,000 fattening pigs at any one time are calculated at €90,000 per annum, which is more than the family income achieved.