EU Pig prices: quotations are going up moderately – unfair trade practice observed in Germany

After last week’s slow movement, the European pigs-mature-for-slaughter market shows an altogether friendly price development again. This positive mood, however, is currently deteriorating because of the German slaughter companies’ unfair trade practice
calendar icon 12 June 2018
clock icon 3 minute read

Owing to altogether substandard quantities of live pigs on offer, the quotations for pigs for slaughter have begun increasing moderately in quite a few EU member countries with the domestic meat trade being calm at the same time. The price increases are ranging from a corrected 1.2 cents in France, up to 3 cents recorded in Austria and Germany. Reports from France are telling of the decreasing quantities of pigs for slaughter. It is said that the quantities recorded in Austria are falling by as much as 15 percent below the figures usually known at this time of the year because of the hot weather. From Spain, reports are also coming in regarding decreasing slaughter weights.

Unchanged quotations are reported on from the Netherlands and Denmark. The Danish quotation has maintained the same price level for as long as 11 weeks now. Over the whole period, no fluctuations, neither upward nor downward, have been noted.

The fact that the four largest German slaughter companies (Toennies, Vion, Westfleisch, Danish Crown) have not accepted the latest price increase because of the scarce supply situation, does cause a stir indeed in the European environment, resulting in unsettled atmosphere as well as a lack of comprehension. It’s not only the German pig feeders who hope now for the discounted prices to vanish into thin air.

Explanation (Source: ISN - Interessengemeinschaft der Schweinehalter Deutschlands)
1) corrected quotation: The official Quotations of the different countries are corrected, so that each quotation has the same base (conditions).
2) These quotations are based on the correction formulas applied since 01.08.2010.
base: 57 % lean-meat-percentage; farm-gate-price; 79 % killing-out-percentage, without value-added-tax

Trend for the German market:

At the beginning of this week, both producers and marketers appear to be quite unsettled because of the current policy of discounted prices. According to reports, the transgressors invoicing discounted prices keep sticking to their payment prices. However, the temperatures continue to be most suitable for barbecuing, and together with the soccer world cup starting soon, the meat market will benefit. From today’s point of view, it still cannot be stated which side (either feeding or processing) may be expected to win the game.


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Emily Houghton

Editor, The Pig Site

Emily Houghton is a Zoology graduate from Cardiff University and was the editor of The Pig Site from October 2017 to May 2020. Emily has worked in livestock husbandry, and has written, conducted and assisted with research projects regarding the synthesis of welfare and productivity of free-range food species.

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