Out of the EU-27’s member states six of its largest pig-producing countries - Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Poland and Spain - all report that quotations for slaughter pigs were clearly undershot in 2007. More than two thirds of all European pigs are raised in these countries and all are experiencing increased production, stagnating demand and a strong Euro. There is also fierce competition coming from the worldwide markets and it made 2007 a disappointing year for most pig keepers. The ISN Interessengemeinschaft der Schweinehalter Deutschlands notes the following European pig price comparisons for 2007:

• The quotations moved downward most considerably in Germany, where minus 15 cents (= 10 percent) per kg slaughter weight were quoted – ending up in an average EUR 1.303 per kg slaughter weight.
  
• Just like in 2006, the Spanish corrected quotations took the lead. But even the Spanish had to cope with a near to 14 cents’ decrease per kg slaughter weight, compared with the year before. Yet, at an average EUR 1.375, their quotations still exceeded the German price by 7.2 cents per kg slaughter weight. Thus, Germany lost ground to Spain but still ranks second.
  
• Over the first half of 2007 and during the late summer, Spanish pig keepers were able to achieve much higher prices than those received by other EU member countries.
  
• During midsummer, the German and Spanish quotations temporarily differed by nearly 30 cents per kg. However, from September, the Spanish prices dropped in line with seasonal trend, so preventing Spain from being the EU market leader.