A majority of quotations went down noticeably. The quantities of live pigs on offer are extensive even cross border. Thus, the producers inside EU are at disadvantage at present.

The Danish quotation, yet, held its ground on the level achieved: a corrected 1.387 euros per kg slaughter weight. This way, it ranks ahead of the German price now.

Agitation is going on around pricing in France and the Netherlands. The Plérin auction noted downward again on Friday.

The French quotation now falls by 6 cents below the standard price which had been agreed upon between politics and industry in summer.

The latest contentious price decrease had become necessary after two slaughter companies had stopped buying during the auction. One company had even fixed its own price. This way, the French reference price had been endangered on the Marché du Porc Breton.

Giving in had become very much needed. The country’s slaughter companies are getting under pressure ever more. As a result of the price level which is comparably high in France, they can no longer keep up with the others on the export markets.

Last week’s unsteadiness around the Dutch price finding has consequences. There has been a lot of disagreement last week around a severe fall in prices which firstly was not well accepted by all market participants.

Following this, the Dutch Vion slaughter company announced their intention to introduce a new pricing system to grant steadier prices for regular suppliers.

Trend for the German market: The situation continues to be characterised by quantities still large of pigs for slaughter on offer. Delivery dates cannot be negotiated, they are just being accepted. Tomorrow’s auction results will shed light on the further development.