Inside Pigs
DCA Piglets Index is rising rapidly in a short period of time
The returns in the Dutch pig farming sector showed a recovery in March. Better figures were achieved in both the fattening pig farming and the multiplication than the previous month.
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The fattening pig index has risen in recent weeks and is closer to the 5-year average of 100 points. The index reached a point score of 99,8 in week 13. The DCA Piglet Index even showed one of the largest increases ever. The score rose from 78,9 to 137,2 in March.
Although prices for fattening pigs rose, returns were depressed by rising piglet prices. The DCA Exchange Price 2.0 for slaughtered pigs increased by €0,28 per kilo of slaughtered weight and the DCA Best Piglet Price increased by €15,50 per head in 4 weeks.
Piglet index sprints up
Developments were particularly favorable for propagators last month. The index rose by 58 points to 137,2. This is one of the highest monthly increases in the piglet index. Returns rose from well below average at the end of February to well above average at the end of March. Compound feed for sows and piglets became more expensive again in March, but had a marginal effect on the increase in yield.
Fattening pig index increases more moderately
The average returns in fattening pig farming do not yet show such a rosy picture as for piglets. Feed and piglet prices rose, meaning that returns on farms now fluctuate around the long-term average. Yet the increase from 67 to 99,2 points is also significant.
Perspective 2021
The prospects for the rest of the year seem good. A significant improvement is expected, particularly for the fattening pig index, in the upcoming summer season. An important point of attention will be to what extent the corona measures are relaxed and whether more demand will arise from the catering industry.