Southern European pig prices turn red

The European pig market can be summarized in one word: balanced. The meat market is reacting quite cautiously to the higher pork prices. And the margins in the chain have been severely squeezed here and there. Particularly the meat processors give a lot of pushback.

The sale of pork outside Europe also does not give rise to higher pig prices. In the ISN price comparison, the German pig price in week 19 remains at (rounded) 1,71 euros per kilo. The Netherlands shifts to 1,67 euros per kilo and the Belgians remain stuck at 1,64 euros per kilo.

The meat market in the Netherlands did respond to the pork price in week 18, which then rose by 3 cents. The backs also increased by 3 cents, the hams even by 4 cents and the bellies by 2 cents. The shoulders recorded a plus of 1 cent, but this component fell by 17 cents in week 2. This does not alter the fact that the meat market offers some resistance. The hams differ slightly from this. This is due to the asparagus season. 

French pork price down
There has been price commotion in Southern Europe this week, albeit in a negative sense. The Spaniards, who are strongly oriented towards China, report that they suffer from competition from Brazil and the United States. The problem is not with the volumes, because that runs smoothly. It is the meat prices that are currently locked down. The Spanish pig price remains stuck at 1,70 euros per kilo. The French pig price even fell by 3 cents to 1,71 euros per kilo. The Italian pork price also falls below the 2 euro limit again and amounts to 1,97 euros per kilo.

Internet fair does not stimulate
The profit that the Internet Exchange made on Friday, May 5, has now evaporated again. The quotation was 9 euros on Tuesday afternoon, May 1,83. It is striking that not all lots were traded. On balance, 14 of the 19 lots were sold. This movement means that the 'vereinigungspreis' has little chance of mutating upwards on Wednesday afternoon, May 10. Unchanged is the most likely move.