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Saudi Arabia paid the most for fodder in Q3 2026: USD 330/MT, up 1.5% from USD 325/MT in Q2. Import needs, freight costs and steady demand from dairy farms keep Saudi prices above the other three markets. Worldwide, the average rose 1.2% to USD 252/MT from USD 249/MT, mostly because higher fuel and labor costs and firm demand from dairy farms and export buyers led growers and importers to raise prices in all four markets. What about Q4 2026? We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 245-265/MT range, with rainfall and harvest results, fuel and labor costs, demand from dairy farms and export buyers and freight costs doing most of the work.
Fodder is the plant material grown or cut to feed livestock, including hay, alfalfa, grass and green forage. It is fed to cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and horses, and it is traded as bales or pellets. Prices in this report refer to mixed dry fodder bales at wholesale level and are quoted per metric ton. They depend on rainfall, harvest results, fuel and labor costs and demand from dairy farms.
India, the United States, China and Australia grow large volumes of fodder, and most of it is used on farms where it is grown. Farmers cut, dry and bale the crop, and weather during harvest affects quality. Export hay, mainly alfalfa, moves from the United States and Australia to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, China and Japan. Water costs and drought are major risks in dry regions.
Prices should rise modestly through the rest of 2026. Fuel and labor costs are firm and demand from dairy farms is steady. Good rainfall in India limits the size of the increase. For reference, the Q3 2026 global average of USD 252/MT compares with USD 242/MT a year earlier, an increase of 4.1%.
Risks to the Q4 outlook lean in both directions, with no clear bias. What could push prices higher? Drought, poor harvest weather, higher fuel costs or stronger demand from dairy farms would lift prices. What could pull them lower? Good rainfall, larger harvests or weaker demand from dairy farms would lower prices.
| Region | 2026 Price Range (USD/MT) | Outlook |
| Global Average | 245 - 265 | Firm fuel and labor costs support a modest rise |
| India | 145 - 160 | Low labor costs and large cropped area keep prices lowest |
| United States | 245 - 265 | Strong export demand supports prices |
| Australia | 275 - 295 | Drought risk and freight costs support prices |
| Saudi Arabia | 320 - 350 | Import needs and freight costs keep prices highest |
Prices in India firmed 1.4% in Q3 2026 to USD 150/MT, compared with USD 148/MT in Q2. Indian prices rose as the demand from dairy farms improved. The current level is 4.9% above the Q3 2025 average of USD 143/MT. India finished Q3 2026 40.5% below the four-market average of USD 252/MT.
Why did the price of Fodder change in Q3 2026 in India?
India rose. Demand from dairy farms improved, labor costs increased, and growers raised prices. Year to date, India is 3.4% higher than the Q4 2025 level of USD 145/MT, while the global average is 2.9% higher. On the global measure the average was 1.2% higher over the quarter. India moved 1.4% quarter on quarter.
The United States recorded a 1.2% gain in Q3 2026, with the average reaching USD 250/MT against USD 247/MT in Q2. American prices rose as the demand from dairy farms and export buyers improved. A year earlier, in Q3 2025, the average stood at USD 240/MT, which makes the current price 4.2% higher. The four markets averaged USD 252/MT in the quarter, so the price in the United States was 0.8% lower.
Why did the price of Fodder change in Q3 2026 in United States?
The United States rose. Demand from dairy farms and export buyers improved, fuel costs increased, and growers raised offers. Over the first nine months of 2026 the price in the United States has risen by 3.3%, which compares with a 2.9% gain in the global average. For comparison, the global average moved 1.2% higher over the same quarter.
The Q3 2026 average for Australia stood at USD 280/MT, an increase of 1.1% on the USD 277/MT recorded in Q2. Australian prices rose as the demand from dairy farms and export buyers improved. Taking Q3 2025 as the base, at USD 270/MT, the latest quarter is 3.7% higher. In comparison with the average of USD 252/MT across the four markets, the price in Australia was 11.1% higher.
Why did the price of Fodder change in Q3 2026 in Australia?
Australia rose. Demand from dairy farms and export buyers improved, fuel costs increased, and growers raised prices. Since the end of 2025, the price in Australia has risen 2.9%, from USD 272/MT to USD 280/MT, while the global average has risen 2.9%. The global average shifted 1.2% higher in the same quarter.
Saudi Arabia registered a 1.5% increase in Q3 2026, taking the average to USD 330/MT from USD 325/MT in Q2. Saudi prices rose as the demand from dairy farms improved. Against the USD 316/MT recorded in Q3 2025, the current average represents a 4.4% increase. Saudi Arabia ended the quarter 31.0% above the group average of USD 252/MT.
Why did the price of Fodder change in Q3 2026 in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia rose. Demand from dairy farms improved, import costs increased, and importers raised prices. The cumulative 2026 change for Saudi Arabia is a 3.1% increase, from USD 320/MT to USD 330/MT, while the global average shows a 2.9% gain over the same period. Across the four markets the average was 1.2% higher on the quarter.
India registered a 1.4% increase in Q2 2026, taking the average to USD 148/MT from USD 146/MT in Q1. Indian prices rose as the demand from dairy farms strengthened. In Q2 2025 the average was USD 140/MT, so the market is 5.7% higher on a yearly basis. Relative to the four-market average of USD 249/MT, India traded 40.6% below in Q2 2026.
Why did the price of Fodder change in Q2 2026 in India?
India rose. Demand from dairy farms strengthened, labor costs went up, and growers lifted prices. This followed a 0.7% gain in Q1 and left India 5.7% above its Q2 2025 average of USD 140/MT. The move then extended in Q3, taking the price to USD 150/MT. Across the four markets the average was 1.2% higher on the quarter.
The United States firmed 1.2% to USD 247/MT in Q2 2026, from USD 244/MT in Q1. American prices rose as the demand from dairy farms strengthened. This represents a 4.7% increase on the USD 236/MT recorded in Q2 2025. This places the United States 0.8% below the four-market average of USD 249/MT for Q2 2026.
Why did the price of Fodder change in Q2 2026 in United States?
The United States rose. Demand from dairy farms strengthened, labor costs went up, and growers lifted offers. After a 0.8% gain in Q1, the quarter closed 4.7% above the USD 236/MT recorded in Q2 2025. The same direction continued in Q3, with the price reaching USD 250/MT. On the global measure the average was 1.2% higher over the quarter.
In Q2 2026, the average price in Australia rose 1.1% to USD 277/MT, compared with USD 274/MT in Q1. Australian prices rose as the demand from dairy farms strengthened. The year-on-year change is a 4.5% increase, from USD 265/MT in Q2 2025. Against the four-market average of USD 249/MT, Australia stood 11.2% above in the quarter.
Why did the price of Fodder change in Q2 2026 in Australia?
Australia rose. Demand from dairy farms strengthened, freight costs went up, and growers lifted prices. This came on top of a 0.7% gain in Q1, and the average ended 4.5% above its level of a year earlier, when it stood at USD 265/MT. Q3 added to the change, with the price at USD 280/MT.
Saudi Arabia's average moved up 0.9% in Q2 2026, to USD 325/MT from USD 322/MT in Q1. Saudi prices rose as the demand from dairy farms strengthened. The Q2 2026 average is 4.8% above the USD 310/MT recorded in Q2 2025. Saudi Arabia finished Q2 2026 30.5% above the four-market average of USD 249/MT.
Why did the price of Fodder change in Q2 2026 in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia rose. Demand from dairy farms strengthened, freight costs went up, and importers lifted prices. Q1 had brought a 0.6% gain, and by the end of Q2 the price was 4.8% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 310/MT. The move then extended in Q3, taking the price to USD 330/MT.
Fodder prices rose through 2025 and the first half of 2026 and rose again in the third quarter in all four markets. The global average moved from USD 234/MT in Q1 2025 to 238 in Q2, 242 in Q3 and 245 in Q4, then 246 in Q1 2026, 249 in Q2 and 252 in Q3, a net gain of roughly 7.7% across the window. Higher fuel and labor costs and steady demand from dairy farms lifted prices for six quarters.
| Quarter | Price (USD/MT) | QoQ Change | Direction |
| Q3 2026 | 252 | +1.2% | ↑ Rising |
| Q2 2026 | 249 | +1.2% | ↑ Rising |
| Q1 2026 | 246 | +0.4% | ↑ Rising |
| Q4 2025 | 245 | +1.2% | ↑ Rising |
| Q3 2025 | 242 | - | - Stable |
| Q4 2026 | In Progress | - | - In Progress |
2025 was a year of gradual increases for fodder, with prices rising in each quarter in all four markets. Starting near USD 234/MT in Q1, the global average finished the year at 245 in Q4, a gain of about 4.7%. Higher fuel and labor costs and steady demand from dairy farms supported growers throughout the year.
In India, prices moved from about USD 138/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 145/MT by Q4, up roughly 5.1%. Indian prices rose gradually as the labor costs and demand from dairy farms increased. At USD 150/MT in Q3 2026, India stands 3.4% 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 the United States, prices moved from about USD 233/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 242/MT by Q4, up roughly 3.9%. American prices rose gradually as the labor costs and demand from dairy farms increased. The Q4 2025 close of USD 242/MT compares with USD 250/MT in Q3 2026, a 3.3% increase. The quarterly sections above show how the annual average developed over the year.
In Australia, prices moved from about USD 262/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 272/MT by Q4, up roughly 3.8%. Australian prices rose gradually as the freight costs and demand from dairy farms increased. Relative to the end of 2025, the price in Australia is 2.9% higher at USD 280/MT. The quarterly breakdown above allows each stage of that path to be traced.
In Saudi Arabia, prices moved from about USD 304/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 320/MT by Q4, up roughly 5.3%. Saudi prices rose gradually as the freight costs and demand from dairy farms increased. By Q3 2026 the average for Saudi Arabia had reached USD 330/MT, 3.1% above the Q4 2025 close. The same regional pattern is carried into the quarterly analysis above, where the quarter-by-quarter figures can be traced.
Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Fodder Price Intelligence
We keep a continuous eye on fodder prices wherever it is produced or consumed at scale, tracing causation through rainfall, harvest results, fuel and labor costs, freight and demand from dairy farms and export 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.*
Dairy cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and horse feed.
In Q3 2026, it averaged USD 150/MT in India, USD 250/MT in the United States, USD 280/MT in Australia, and USD 330/MT in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia was the priciest market.
The global average went from USD 245/MT in Q4 2025 to 246 in Q1, 249 in Q2 and 252 in Q3, up 2.9% overall. Gradual increases through 2025 and early 2026 continued in the third quarter.
Higher fuel and labor costs and firm demand from dairy farms led growers to raise prices.
We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 245-265/MT range. Firm fuel and labor costs and steady demand point to a modest rise.
Saudi Arabia sits at the top and India at the bottom. Saudi Arabia pays the most on import needs and freight costs, while India sits lowest on low labor costs.
Monthly. Need something more current? The Expert Market Research team is available directly.
Rainfall, harvest weather, fuel costs and demand from dairy farms drive the volatility.
India, the United States, Australia and Saudi Arabia lead supply and use of fodder.
Agree contracts with growers, plan stocks before the dry season and diversify between supply regions.
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