The most recent data reported by Danish Statistics (July 2010) show that the Danish breeding herd is down slightly on the census report for the same period last year, reports Whole Hog. The number of weaners is up but, as ever, these will not all be available for domestic abattoirs as the cross border German live trade remains strong.

Gilt numbers are down (-3.3 per cent) and sows with pigs are down (-3.5 per cent). Sows in pig are also slightly down (-1.9 per cent). The total sow herd is down 2.3 per cent.

The total number of pigs in Denmark according to the July 2010 report was 12,528 million head. This is a 0.7 per cent increase on a year-to-year comparison.

Danish Exports Look Strong in 2010

Whole Hog reports that Danish exporters have had a tricky time in the last 18 months: 2009 was a difficult year for everyone and 2010 has also had its challenges. Issues of domestic availability, faltering global demand across the board, and the strength of the Euro have all made exports sales agents earn their commission.

However, first-quarter 2010 export performance is looking positive, with total sales and most individual markets looking up. Total Danish exports for the quarter are 422,831 tonnes.

Price Cycle Looks Weaker on Upward Swing

Following previous confident predictions for the firming up of prices in the global pigmeat market for the rest of 2010, Whole Hog reports that the three big export players' prices seem to be weakening. No down-trun is predicted but the upswing in prices looks weaker now than it did a few months back.

The recent bad news from the grain market of the Russian export embargo is an unwelcome development although if grain prices were to move up, confidence in farm restocking may be strengthened and the upward swing of the cycle may be prolonged, according to Whole Hog.

Fewer Pigs in Germany but Exports Rise

The May 2010 census data recently reported for Germany indicates that the number of pigs in the country is now 26.54 million head, which is a 1.1 per cent decrease on the November census in 2009 and 1.3 per cent down on May 2009, reports Whole Hog. The breeding herd number is reported to be 2.9 per cent below on the same census point in 2009, while the number of slaughter weight pigs is down 2.5 per cent.

Whole Hog reports that, according to the German Statistics Office, 975,000 tonnes of pigmeat and pig products were exported from Germany in the first five months of this year – a two per cent increase on the same period last year.

European Price Recovery Takes a Holiday

World Cup fever in Europe has passed and Whole Hog reports that so too is the recent rally in European pig prices. For July, prices increases have only been reported in Denmark and Ireland.

Exports from Canada Continue to Grow

The first five months of 2010 produces another positive result for Canada's pork exporters. Whole Hog reports that total sales were up 4.9 per cent for the period to 456,000 metric tons. Live hog exports were down 13 per cent.

US Exports Show Early Signs of Upturn

US total pork exports fell by 0.9 per cent in the first five months of 2010 but things look a little brighter when comparing May 2010 with May 2009 figures, reports Whole Hog. Fresh, chilled exports in May 2010 were 40,986 metric tons – more than eight per cent higher than May 2009.

Trade Gap Widens in Australian Market

The Australian trade data for May 2010 has widened as imports for the month were 23 per cent higher, while exports were down by four per cent, according to Whole Hog.

August 2010