Low slaughter figures are not yet giving the market a push

This means that the supply of pigs is sufficient to meet the demand. The trade is cautiously hinting at a somewhat declining supply of animals ready for slaughter in the coming weeks. It is hoped that the impact of corona on slaughterhouse capacity will simultaneously decrease. However, that is not yet the case for the coming week and the supply remains more than sufficient for the available slaughter hooks. More than 783.000 pigs were processed in Germany last week. The average slaughtered weight remained stable at 97,3 kilos.

Meat trade remains stable, but without impulse
In the meantime, the meat trade remains stable, but without impulse. The DCA quotations for pork were unchanged for almost all components. A plus was recorded for the hams of an average of €0,03 per kilo, which means an increase of approximately €0,01 per kilo for the entire carcass. The large stocks of pork already present in cold stores limit the options for slaughterers to temporarily store product. This contributes to a wide supply of meat within European borders.

Pig prices will have to wait for impulses that may come when slaughter numbers fall further in the coming months or when the meat market actually starts to move. The upcoming summer months and the prospect of the European-wide phasing out of the corona measures provide some hope in this regard.

For the time being, an unchanged quotation is the maximum achievable. The VEZG quotation therefore remains stable at €1,20 per kilo of slaughtered weight. However, the range specified by the German trade for quotations was clearly higher this time: this week it ranged from €1,20 to €1,25 per kilo carcass weight, excluding VAT.