Dutch slaughterers lower their listing

The German pig price (the VEZG quotation) remained at €1,42 per kilo this week. Although a reduction is still up in the air, it is expected that the quotations could remain unchanged. Meat sales are still disappointing, but supply is tight enough for a provisional price floor in Germany. German traders say that the pigs are quite easy to place; Compared to the same week last year, the German pig price is €0,21 per kilo lower.

In the Netherlands, not everything remains on equal footing; Van Rooi has reduced this week from €0,02 to €1,33 (including VAT), while Compaxo's quotation has also fallen by €0,02 to €1,25 per kilo. The decline is a result of the continued pressure on meat prices. The pig supply varies considerably per trader. However, partly due to King's Day (April 27), there is on balance a wide range. This is a trend that has been going on for some time.

Remarkably stable offering
There is a remarkably stable supply in both the Netherlands and Germany. Last week, 318.000 pigs were hanging on the hooks at Dutch slaughterhouses; this is exactly the same number as the week before. However, the weights have decreased by 0,6 kilos to 97,20 kilos. In the past 2 weeks there was actually increasing weight. 

Compared to the 5-year average, the average carcass weight is still 1,80 kilos heavier. The German slaughter figure fell 0,8% to 974.803 slaughters. The average carcass weight decreases by 0,40 kilos to 97,84 kilos.

Denmark massacres
More pigs will be slaughtered in Denmark in 2018 than last year. In the first weeks of 2018, the slaughter figure was 0,5% higher to 4,69 million pigs. This increase gives a somewhat distorted picture, because in the same period last year the Easter weekend took place after week 14. From week to week, the slaughter figure increases by 10.000 to 15.000 pigs. These figures correspond to the growing Danish pig herd.