Analysis Pigs
Piglet export in slump, sales growth in Spain not out of luxury
Dutch piglet exports have been moving at historically low levels in recent times. Buyers in Europe show very limited buying interest. The smaller sow herd is also to blame for the declining figures. Yet even the reduced range is difficult to place internationally. The fairly high export figures to Spain also require some explanation.
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The prospect of return is clearly insufficient for foreign fattening pig farmers to impose plenty of piglets. German buyers in particular have been failing sharply recently. The difficult situation is also reflected in the export figures of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. compared to previous years, the export volume of piglets to Germany has almost halved.
Spain is still holding up nicely in numbers
In the meantime, the export to Spain is continuing in numbers. Still, it seems that certainly is not a sign of opulence. Due to the difficult trade in the own region, more piglets are offered in Spain. Traders report that with the piglet prices dropping, sometimes Spanish buyers eventually give in for small prices. In addition, more piglets have also crossed the Spanish border in recent weeks for slaughterhouses. The placement space in the country is therefore not a sign of opulence, but in any case ensures that the pressure here does not become even greater.
Export other destinations
The export to Belgium and Luxembourg has been moving fairly constantly around the level of 10.000 pieces per week. Slightly more piglets recently went to buyers in, for example, Romania and Austria. The total weekly piglet export is currently around 100.000 heads per week, about 40.000 less than in the same period last year.