The quotations went down on a broad basis in varying degrees. The pressure exerted on the prices was particularly strong from the German slaughter companies. As a result, the local quotation went down farthest by minus 4 cents in the weekly analysis, compared to the rest of Europe. Thus, Germany now ranks behind France within the European price structure. On Monday was no quotation in France becauce the offerer and consumer couldn´t find an agreement. Referring to the five member countries holding the majority of pigs, lower prices are only paid in Denmark than are in Germany.

The Netherlands, Austria and Belgium are following Germany, now recording noticeably falling quotations. In Spain, however, the fall in prices (minus 1 cent) slowed down considerably with regard to the past weeks. The pigs-mature-for-slaughter prices also went down just slightly in France. Apart from minor exchange rate changes, the prices remained unchanged in Sweden and Ireland. Increasing stock sizes are reported on from Poland. After the all-time low of 13.3 million pigs held in March 2009, as many as 14.9 million pigs are held in Poland now. The question now arises how demand for pork and for live pigs from Germany as an important supplier country will go on developing.

Market trend for Germany: The prospects are insecure with regard to the further market development. The latest fall in prices led to increased quantities on offer for a short time which are completely sold on the market. The possibility cannot be ruled out that the slaughter companies go on exerting pressure on the pig prices.

Explanation
¹corrected quotation: The official Quotations of the different countries are corrected, so that each quotation has the same base (conditions).
base: 56 per cent lean meat; farm-gate-price; 79 per cent killing out percentage, without value-added-tax (VAT)