In many places, the quantities of pigs mature for slaughter on offer lag behind the increased demand. In Germany and Belgium, the most considerable price increase (+ 5 cents) could be recorded. In the Netherlands and in Austria, the price went up by + 4 cents, and it did by + 3 cents in Denmark.

Only in France the prices are still going down. Within a period no longer than just four weeks, the French quotation fell by almost 17 cents. But the French are also cautiously optimistic, saying that they may have passed the lowest point, because the prices now were at about the German, Dutch and Danish prices’ level. No change in prices was reported from Spain. However, Spanish market observers state that the market might get under pressure as a result of the growing gap between the French and Spanish prices as well as of the impending general strike and of days of slaughter missing over Easter.

Trend for the German market: Currently, brisk demand is seen on the part of the slaughter companies which cannot always be covered promptly by the quantities which are available. There are even reports, that the meat market is clearly under-supplied. The market situation is estimated to remain friendly. So, the prices are expected to remain steady or even go up over the week to come.

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)