Spanish pig price tops price comparison again

The average pig price in the Netherlands rises this week by €0,040 to €1,914 per kilo. This puts it in fourth place in ISN's price comparison, just slightly above France. Third place remains for Germany. There, the average pig price has increased by €0,050 over the past week to €1,946 per kilo. Germany is therefore still slightly below the Danish pig price, which is the only one to remain stable this week and is therefore once again €1,950 per kilo.

The French pork price has also lagged somewhat in recent weeks. This week the quotation rises by €0,001 to €1,903, meaning that the quotation has now been overtaken by the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. The French price is still considerably above previous years; only in 2012 and 2013 was it even higher. The Spanish pork price has risen to the highest step of the podium. The pig price increases by €0,043 to €1,959 per kilo. This makes it the highest price since 2012, when a level of €2,020 was reached. The pig price in Belgium increases by €0,061 to €1,840. Although the country a catch up has made, it lags behind the rest of Europe.

Stretch has not yet been priced out
When we look at the pig market, it becomes clear that the pig price is not yet over, although efforts are now being made to traditional Christmas peak. The traders still report large slaughter numbers; last week the slaughter figure was 335.000 pigs. The demand for meat is still good, both within the European Union and in China. However, time is now running out to get the meat to China before the Chinese New Year.

Demand is expected to remain strong for the next 2 to 3 weeks, after which a slowdown is expected. This is not surprising, because the increases in pig prices are always slightly more moderate at this time of the year. It is unlikely that this will be immediately visible in pig prices next week.