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The United States paid the most for bone meal in Q3 2026: USD 640/short ton, down 0.9% from USD 646/short ton in Q2. Strong demand from feed and fertilizer buyers and higher costs for handling and freight keep American prices above the other three markets. Worldwide, the average fell 0.9% to USD 578/short ton from USD 583/short ton, mostly because high slaughter volumes increased supply in Brazil and Australia, while fertilizer buyers delayed purchases in the United States and Germany. What about Q4 2026? We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 550-600/short ton range, with slaughter volumes, fertilizer demand and prices of competing phosphate sources doing most of the work.
Bone meal is a dry, ground product made from the bones of slaughtered animals, produced by cooking, drying and grinding bones left after meat processing. It is rich in calcium and phosphorus and is used as a mineral supplement in animal and pet feed and as a slow-release phosphate fertilizer. Prices reflect slaughter volumes, rendering costs, competing phosphate prices and rules for animal by-products.
Supply is a by-product of the meat industry, so output follows slaughter volumes in the United States, Brazil, Europe and Australia and cannot respond quickly to price. Bone meal competes with mineral phosphates in feed and with synthetic phosphate fertilizers on farms, so phosphate prices matter. Rules on animal by-products and feed safety limit the use of ruminant material in some markets, and in the United States the product is quoted per short ton.
Prices should ease slightly through the rest of 2026. Slaughter volumes are high in Brazil and Australia, buyers have covered most needs after the spring season, and inventories are comfortable. Firm phosphate prices limit the size of the decline. For reference, the Q3 2026 global average of USD 578/short ton compares with USD 571/short ton a year earlier, an increase of 1.2%.
The balance of risks for Q4 tilts downward. What could push prices higher? Higher phosphate fertilizer prices, lower slaughter or stronger demand from feed buyers would lift prices. What could pull them lower? Higher slaughter, weaker fertilizer demand or lower phosphate prices would lower prices.
| Region | 2026 Price Range (USD/short ton) | Outlook |
| Global Average | 550 - 600 | Ample supply outweighs firm phosphate prices |
| United States | 610 - 660 | Feed and fertilizer demand set the price level |
| Brazil | 495 - 540 | Large slaughter volumes keep prices lowest |
| Australia | 535 - 580 | Export demand from Asia shapes prices |
| Germany | 565 - 610 | Rules for animal by-products support prices |
The United States' average moved down 0.9% in Q3 2026, to USD 640/short ton from USD 646/short ton in Q2. American prices eased as fertilizer buyers delayed purchases and inventories of bone meal were comfortable. Year on year, the average is 1.1% higher, against USD 633/short ton in Q3 2025. The four markets averaged USD 578/short ton in the quarter, so the price in the United States was 10.7% higher.
Why did the price of Bone Meal change in Q3 2026 in United States?
The United States eased. Fertilizer buyers delayed purchases after the spring season, inventories of bone meal were comfortable, and renderers offered small discounts. From USD 637/short ton at the close of 2025 to USD 640/short ton in Q3 2026, the price in the United States has risen 0.5%, and the global average has risen 0.5%.
Prices in Brazil softened 1.3% in Q3 2026 to USD 520/short ton, compared with USD 527/short ton in Q2. Brazilian prices fell as high slaughter increased supply and buyers in the domestic market reduced purchases. The current level is 1.2% above the Q3 2025 average of USD 514/short ton. In comparison with the average of USD 578/short ton across the four markets, the price in Brazil was 10.0% lower.
Why did the price of Bone Meal change in Q3 2026 in Brazil?
Brazil declined. High slaughter increased supply of bone, domestic fertilizer and feed buyers reduced purchases, and exporters lowered offers to move stocks. Year to date, Brazil is essentially level with the Q4 2025 average of USD 519/short ton, against a 0.5% gain for the global average. Across the four markets the average was 0.9% lower on the quarter.
Australia recorded a 0.7% decline in Q3 2026, with the average falling to USD 560/short ton from USD 564/short ton in Q2. Australian prices edged lower as export buyers in Asia sought discounts and supply was ample. A year earlier, in Q3 2025, the average stood at USD 554/short ton, which makes the current price 1.1% higher. Australia ended the quarter 3.1% below the group average of USD 578/short ton.
Why did the price of Bone Meal change in Q3 2026 in Australia?
Australia edged lower. Export buyers in Asia sought discounts, supply of bone meal was ample, and renderers reduced offers to maintain shipments. Year to date, Australia is 0.4% higher than the Q4 2025 level of USD 558/short ton, while the global average is 0.5% higher. On the global measure the average was 0.9% lower over the quarter.
The Q3 2026 average for Germany stood at USD 590/short ton, a decrease of 0.8% on the USD 595/short ton recorded in Q2. German prices eased as the demand from pet food and fertilizer buyers softened after the summer. Taking Q3 2025 as the base, at USD 583/short ton, the latest quarter is 1.2% higher. The price in Germany was 2.1% above the group average of USD 578/short ton in Q3 2026.
Why did the price of Bone Meal change in Q3 2026 in Germany?
Germany eased. Demand from pet food and fertilizer buyers softened after the summer, supply of bone meal was adequate, and processors offered small discounts. Over the first nine months of 2026 the price in Germany has risen by 0.5%, which compares with a 0.5% gain in the global average. For comparison, the global average moved 0.9% lower over the same quarter.
The Q2 2026 average for the United States stood at USD 646/short ton, an increase of 0.5% on the USD 643/short ton recorded in Q1. American prices rose slightly as spring demand from fertilizer and feed buyers improved. Measured against Q2 2025, when the average stood at USD 625/short ton, the market is 3.4% higher. This places the United States 10.8% above the four-market average of USD 583/short ton for Q2 2026.
Why did the price of Bone Meal change in Q2 2026 in United States?
The United States rose slightly. Spring demand from fertilizer and feed buyers improved, inventories were reduced, and renderers raised offers. Coming after a 0.9% gain in Q1, the Q2 figure sits 3.4% above the USD 625/short ton of Q2 2025. Part of the move was reversed in Q3, leaving the price at USD 640/short ton.
Brazil registered a 0.8% increase in Q2 2026, taking the average to USD 527/short ton from USD 523/short ton in Q1. Brazilian prices rose as the demand from feed and fertilizer buyers improved. In Q2 2025 the average was USD 506/short ton, so the market is 4.2% higher on a yearly basis. Against the four-market average of USD 583/short ton, Brazil stood 9.6% below in the quarter.
Why did the price of Bone Meal change in Q2 2026 in Brazil?
Brazil rose. Demand from feed and fertilizer buyers improved before the planting season, and renderers raised offers. The 0.8% gain in Q1 set the base, and Q2 finished 4.2% above the USD 506/short ton recorded a year earlier. Q3 reversed some of the change, with the price at USD 520/short ton. The global average shifted 0.5% higher in the same quarter.
Australia gained 0.5% to USD 564/short ton in Q2 2026, from USD 561/short ton in Q1. Australian prices rose slightly as export demand from Asia improved. This represents a 3.1% increase on the USD 547/short ton recorded in Q2 2025. Australia finished Q2 2026 3.3% below the four-market average of USD 583/short ton.
Why did the price of Bone Meal change in Q2 2026 in Australia?
Australia rose slightly. Export demand from Asia improved, stocks of bone meal were drawn down, and renderers raised offers. This followed a 0.5% gain in Q1 and left Australia 3.1% above its Q2 2025 average of USD 547/short ton. The price then partly reversed in Q3, to USD 560/short ton. Across the four markets the average was 0.5% higher on the quarter.
In Q2 2026, the average price in Germany rose 0.7% to USD 595/short ton, compared with USD 591/short ton in Q1. German prices rose as the demand from fertilizer and pet food buyers improved. The year-on-year change is a 3.3% increase, from USD 576/short ton in Q2 2025. The four markets averaged USD 583/short ton in the quarter, so the price in Germany was 2.1% higher.
Why did the price of Bone Meal change in Q2 2026 in Germany?
Germany rose. Demand from fertilizer and pet food buyers improved, supply was controlled by rules for animal by-products, and processors raised offers. After a 0.7% gain in Q1, the quarter closed 3.3% above the USD 576/short ton recorded in Q2 2025. Part of the move was reversed in Q3, leaving the price at USD 590/short ton.
Bone Meal prices rose gradually through 2025 and the first half of 2026 before easing in the third quarter. The global average moved from USD 558/short ton in Q1 2025 to 564 in Q2, 571 in Q3 and 575 in Q4, then 580 in Q1 2026, 583 in Q2 and 578 in Q3, a net gain of roughly 3.6% across the window. Firm demand from feed and fertilizer buyers and higher phosphate prices lifted prices for six quarters, and ample supply and delayed purchases caused a fall in the third quarter.
| Quarter | Price (USD/short ton) | QoQ Change | Direction |
| Q3 2026 | 578 | -0.9% | ↓ Falling |
| Q2 2026 | 583 | +0.5% | ↑ Rising |
| Q1 2026 | 580 | +0.9% | ↑ Rising |
| Q4 2025 | 575 | +0.7% | ↑ Rising |
| Q3 2025 | 571 | - | - Stable |
| Q4 2026 | In Progress | - | - In Progress |
2025 was a year of gradual increases for bone meal, with prices rising in each quarter in all four markets. Starting near USD 558/short ton in Q1, the global average finished the year at 575 in Q4, a gain of about 3.0%. Firm phosphate prices, steady demand from feed and fertilizer buyers and limited stocks supported renderers throughout the year.
In the United States, prices moved from about USD 619/short ton in Q1 2025 to USD 637/short ton by Q4, up roughly 2.9%. American prices rose gradually as the demand from feed and fertilizer buyers increased. The latest quarter places the United States at USD 640/short ton, which is 0.5% above the level at which 2025 ended.
In Brazil, prices moved from about USD 499/short ton in Q1 2025 to USD 519/short ton by Q4, up roughly 4.0%. Brazilian prices rose gradually as feed demand and planting activity increased. By Q3 2026 the average for Brazil had returned almost exactly to the Q4 2025 close of USD 519/short ton.
In Australia, prices moved from about USD 542/short ton in Q1 2025 to USD 558/short ton by Q4, up roughly 3.0%. Australian prices rose gradually as export demand from Asian buyers increased. At USD 560/short ton in Q3 2026, Australia stands 0.4% above its Q4 2025 close. The same regional pattern is carried into the quarterly analysis above, where the quarter-by-quarter figures can be traced.
In Germany, prices moved from about USD 570/short ton in Q1 2025 to USD 587/short ton by Q4, up roughly 3.0%. German prices rose gradually as the demand for organic fertilizer increased. The Q4 2025 close of USD 587/short ton compares with USD 590/short ton in Q3 2026, a 0.5% increase. The quarterly sections above show how the annual average developed over the year.
Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Bone Meal Price Intelligence
We keep a continuous eye on bone meal prices wherever it is produced or consumed at scale, tracing causation through slaughter volumes, rendering costs, phosphate prices, regulation and demand from feed and fertilizer buyers. Our forecasts draw on production data, trade flows, input cost trends and demand indicators across all reporting regions, so subscribers see why a price moved and not just that it did. Need pricing data, bespoke market analysis, or procurement advisory? Reach out to our team.
*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
Calcium and phosphorus supplement in animal and pet feed, and slow-release phosphate fertilizer.
In Q3 2026, it averaged USD 640/short ton in the United States, USD 520/short ton in Brazil, USD 560/short ton in Australia, and USD 590/short ton in Germany. The United States was the priciest market.
The global average went from USD 575/short ton in Q4 2025 to 580 in Q1, 583 in Q2 and 578 in Q3, up 0.5% overall. Gradual increases through 2025 and the first half of 2026 gave way to a decline in the third quarter.
Ample supply from high slaughter and delayed fertilizer purchases lowered prices in all four markets.
We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 550-600/short ton range. Ample supply outweighs firm phosphate prices, leaving a flat to slightly lower range.
The United States sits at the top and Brazil at the bottom. The United States pays the most on strong demand, while Brazil sits lowest on large slaughter.
Monthly. Need something more current? The Expert Market Research team is available directly.
Slaughter volumes, rendering costs, phosphate prices, regulation and fertilizer demand drive the volatility.
The United States, Brazil, Europe and Australia lead production of bone meal.
Link contracts to a protein and mineral meal index, specify phosphorus content and diversify between origins.
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