Dutch pig exports on their way to recovery

The adverse consequences of the corona crisis have led to high tensions on the pig market. A number of European slaughterhouses had to shut down activities because they were struggling with large-scale corona infections among staff. China also imposed an export ban on a number of slaughterhouses for fear of introducing the virus through imports. This resulted in significantly lower export figures for fattening pigs and piglets.

Total export figures
The export of fattening pigs took a major hit in week 25. The total export figure fell to 30.000 in week 25 and approximately 1 fewer pigs were exported within 10.000 week. However, this was not the end of the matter, the significant reductions continued and in week 27 only 16.000 fattening pigs were exported.

Piglet exports are also showing significant declines. Although a week later, namely in week 26, the export number dropped by more than 25.000 pieces to a total of almost 120.000. In week 28 there was a low of 103.000 units. At the time, the number was about 23.000 units below last year's level.

Export to Germany
The majority of pig exports usually go to Germany. The export figures to this country therefore show significant decreases after Tönnies was forced to close and there were therefore fewer sales opportunities in Germany. In week 24, the fattening pig export figures to Germany were still at a normal level, around 35.000 heads were exported. However, the figures decline from there and in week 29 only around 13.000 pigs went to Germany.

Piglet exports show a similar picture. Export numbers to Germany stagnated at almost 30.000 piglets until they reached their lowest point in week 28, when almost 67.000 piglets were still sent to Germany. In week 25 this number was still almost 96.000 pieces.

Recovery
The reopening of Tönnies in Germany has given export figures a small boost. The total export of fattening pigs is steadily increasing again and in week 32 almost 26.000 animals were exported again.

More piglets are also being exported. The export figures reached 31 piglets again in week 141.000, of which 91.000 piglets found their way to Germany. However, in the following two weeks, the number of exports fell again.

Export figures have recovered somewhat, but are not yet reaching the numbers that were previously exported. The levels are also still below last year. But now that Tönnies is almost running at full speed again, and is also allowed to export to China again, the prospects are not bad.