Lack of Belgian pigs visible in slaughter figures?

The slaughterhouses have stopped supply from Belgium since week 38 (17 to 22 September) due to the outbreak of African swine fever.

Effect not visible
The effect is not immediately reflected in the number of pig slaughters. In the Netherlands, 302.000 pigs were on the hooks last week, while 313.000 pigs were slaughtered the week before. The average slaughter weight is fairly stable and recorded 95,20 kilos last week.

The Netherlands usually imports (from week to week) between 5.000 and 10.000 fattening pigs from Belgium. Nevertheless, the slaughter figures remain at the same level; compared to last year and the 5-year average, the slaughter figure is several percent higher.

Many massacres in Germany
Germany imports around 10.000 to 15.000 pigs from Belgium every week. Nevertheless, last week's slaughter figure (1.023.243) was the third highest of this year. Compared to 1 year earlier, this is an increase of 2,7%. This week's slaughter figure will probably show a decrease, as 3 slaughter day was lost this week (October 1).

That is why the offer in Germany for next week is extra generous. Especially because German pork farmers have been delivering smoothly for weeks to avoid a possible price drop. Traders say that it will be difficult to get the pigs placed in Germany next week.

Internet stock market down
The wide range keeps the price down. A number of German slaughterhouses (Tönnies, Vion and Westfleisch) will apply a 'Hauspreise' next week at €1,36 per kilo. This means that the slaughterhouses are trading €0,04 below the level of the German pig price (the VEZG is trading €1,40 per kilo).

This puts pressure on the Internet exchange, which fell by €5 to €0,02 per kilo on Friday, October 1,40. 10 of the 12 lots were traded.