Unprecedented demand for slaughter pigs

A tight pig supply is the basis of the price revival. Or is it the high slaughter figures that make the supply pale? In the past week, no fewer than 343.547 pigs were slaughtered in the Netherlands. Such high numbers rarely occurred in the past. It underlines the unprecedented hunger for pigs. The high numbers are partly because slaughterhouses also slaughter on Saturdays. The weights show a downward trend, a signal that supply is shrinking. 

It is not immediately possible to trace exactly where the enthusiasm comes from. Although the sales opportunities for pork are improving in the run-up to Christmas, demand is not overflowing. Slaughterhouses speak of 'good momentum'. Hams in particular, a heavyweight in the carcass, are in demand. This leads to higher prices, which increases the value of the pig on the meat market. Sales of by-products to China are also improving. The tightened corona policy with lockdowns is a point of concern, but that should not spoil the fun of the Christmas revival.

Price increases 
Although German slaughterhouses cannot go to China, they unanimously followed the movement of the VEZG quotation this week, which rose by €0,05 to €1,95 per kilo. This indicates that the revival is mainly due to the sales opportunities within Europe. The higher price is also a confirmation that the supply is also shrinking in Germany, something that slaughterhouses also confirm. Pig prices are also rising in Poland and Denmark, as are slaughterhouse quotations in our country. Traders therefore believe that the Dutch pig market is ready for the next step and are opting for a significant increase in the DCA stock exchange price.

Based on the statements, the quotation increases from €0,06 to €1,89 per kilo for the slaughtered pigs. The price of live pigs increases by €0,05 to €1,49.

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