Inside pig slaughter
Massacres are just behind last year
Dutch pig slaughters are stable to slightly increasing at the end of this year. The oversupply has still not been eliminated, as in previous weeks this is reflected in heavy pigs. What was the rest of the market like in November?
Read this article?
Become a subscriber and get instant access
Choose the subscription that suits you
The pig market is in november still under the spell on all fronts of either the second corona wave or the oversupply of pigs that has been hanging over the (German) market for several months.
During weeks 45 to 48, which is November, 330.000 to 332.000 pigs were slaughtered per week. From week 47 onwards, the slaughter figures even dip below those of 2019. In principle, the slaughter figures have started a slight increase since week 47, but given the upcoming holiday period, this picture is expected to change in the coming weeks.
Heavy pigs, less meat
The image from recent weeks of heavy pigs with a slightly lower meat percentage also persists in November. Week 45 took the cake with an average weight of 100,4 kilos, but in weeks 47 and 48 the weights also exceeded 100 with 100,1 and 100,2 kilos respectively. Week 46 had a 'dip' at 99,3 kilos. With these numbers, the weights remain well above those of 2019. The meat percentages remain stuck at 58,8%, with a 'higher point' of 58,9% in week 46.
Corona and AVP
In general, the market remains under the spell of the corona wave and the AVP situation in Germany is also keeping people busy. The Saturday slaughter does help to eliminate the oversupply, according to the market. However, there was a lot of pressure on prices in November, prompted by the oversupply in Germany. The DCA Scholarship Award 2.0 gender fell by 45 cents to €48 from week 14 to week 1,20 and the DCA BestPigletPrice even drops by €3,50 to €20 per piglet in week 48.
The fact that the Netherlands is experiencing a second corona wave does not improve the prospects. Sales to the catering industry remain suboptimal, which is reflected in the meat market. The rising ASF infections in Germany are also not helping. Not only does this affect sales to German slaughterhouses, but the European market also has to absorb part of German meat exports now that China has closed its borders to German pork.