Alfalfa

Why Japan remains a key hay market, what buyers value, and how exporters can compete as feed costs and sourcing plans change. Japan remains one of the world's most valuable hay markets. In 2024, the country purchased $352.08 million worth of U.S. hay. This made Japan the top U.S. export market by value. That USDA figure covers hay and forage products as a group, not alfalfa alone. Still, alfalfa is a key part of the trade. Japanese dairy farms need protein and steady quality.

Dairy demand, local protein goals, export trade, and tighter standards are shaping Europe's market for alfalfa, also known as lucerne. Europe's alfalfa market serves one clear need. Livestock farms want steady, high-quality forage. Alfalfa provides protein, fiber, and minerals. It is used in dairy, beef, horse, and small-animal feed. The market is not a simple system. Some alfalfa is grown and fed on-farm. Some is dried and sold as bales or pellets. Spain has a strong export

Softer prices, uneven export demand, and high operating costs are testing growers. Better records can show where each field, cutting, and sale earns or loses money. Alfalfa remains a major U.S. crop and a critical feed source for dairy and livestock operations. USDA valued the 2024 alfalfa crop at about $8.05 billion. Its preliminary 2025 value was $7.63 billion. Those totals show the size of the market, but not what each grower kept. A large crop can still produce a thin mar