Surprising Internet fair nothing more than a pinprick

The pig market is moving in calm waters this week. Prices are at acceptable levels for the time of year. Especially because the lean years of the past are still fresh in the minds of some. The listings have made significant progress in recent weeks.

That the market is taking a breather is therefore accepted by everyone. The only thing that causes a bit of unrest is the high piglet costs. However, the summer period is still too far away to translate this further into the pig market. The fact that the German pig price continued in the same vein on Wednesday afternoon is fully in line with the market situation.

Unexpected plus for Internet fair
However, there was some price commotion on Friday. The Internet Exchange unexpectedly rose by 4 cents to 1,82 euros, with 12 of the 13 lots offered being taken up quickly. Whether this price level will hold in the short term remains to be seen on Tuesday. If that happens, the race will not be over before the German pig price will automatically follow. Opinions on the market still differ on this. Especially because the supply in the Netherlands and Belgium is filling up quickly for week 17. 

King's Day is the reason why Dutch slaughterhouses are holding back. Everything basically comes to a standstill on Thursday. Also the processing industry and logistics. That is why slaughterhouses are already taking their foot off the accelerator from Wednesday afternoon. The aftermath of Good Friday and Easter has also increased the supply slightly.

Meat market between Easter and tourist season
The meat market did not provide any incentives in week 16, either positively or negatively. All components, including by-products, recorded unchanged. Yet the undertone in Europe is fine.

When the tourist season starts in Spain at the beginning of May, extra demand in Southern Europe can quickly increase. This could also provide an incentive in the Netherlands and Germany. Especially when temperatures rise here and the BBQs come out. However, the weather gods are not very favorable to us until the beginning of May.

Good undertone, but also resistance  
If the pig market in Europe wants to continue its Easter revival, more is needed than a surprising Internet fair. Outside Europe, pig prices are on the high side to stay ahead of competition from the US, Canada and Brazil. So it's up to demand in Europe. And it is still waiting for an impulse.

That is why the DCA Exchange Price 2.0 remains at 1,68 euros per kilo for slaughtered pigs. The quotation for live pigs is also not available and remains at 1,33 euros.