Short weeks save the pig supply

Traditionally, the pig market has good weeks in the run-up to Easter. This year they were even extremely good weeks. This week the mood normalized somewhat, which gives slaughterhouses, traders and pig farmers the opportunity to catch their breath.

A fun statistical fact is that last year's peak has already been surpassed. Both in Germany, France and the Netherlands. Last year, the peak of the Vion quotation, at the beginning of September, was 1,72 euros per kilo. This year the quotation is already one cent higher in April. In Germany, the Vereinigungspreis shifted sideways to 1,73 euros on Wednesday. Also one cent higher than last year. In France, the peak of Brittany's quotation in 2016 was 1,53 euros. This week the quotation has risen to 1,55 euros. 

Germany slaughter figure above one million
The fact that the meat market demanded a lot of volume is evident from the slaughter figures. 14 pigs were slaughtered in Germany in week 1.006.856. For the first time this year, more than one million pigs were slaughtered in one week. It did not stop the North/West committee from increasing the pork price by 5 cents that week. While the German slaughter figure increased, the Dutch counter fell by more than 1,5 percent to 288.000 pigs. The supply is also downright tight in France. With 354.321 pigs slaughtered, the slaughter figure is no less than 7 percent below the five-year average.

The market has held up well this week. Today, on Good Friday, everything in Germany is at a standstill. To compensate, the slaughterhouses operate on Saturdays. Probably at a slightly more moderate pace. All in all, the German question is not disappointing. Some traders can even deliver more than initially calculated. In the Netherlands everything comes to a standstill on Mondays and that makes the supply ''ample''. However, in a normal working week the numbers would have been tight.  

Vleesmarkt doesn't sacrifice anything
All in all, the Easter weekend is a pleasant break, giving the pig supply the opportunity to catch up. And while prices on the meat market are holding up well. The chance of a negative correction also seems virtually impossible. Increasing prices are not expected in the coming week. Perhaps the market will look for an increase again towards the end of April. The tone is expected to be more moderate in the coming weeks.

Clear market
Everyone, both trader and slaughterhouse, shares the opinion that a standstill is the best option for the coming week. That is why the DCA Exchange Price 2.0 remains at 1,68 euros per kilo for slaughtered pigs. Live pigs are also listed unchanged and amount to 1,33 euros.