Never before has the German pork price been stable for so long

There was also a stable period around the turn of the year when the VEZG quotation remained unchanged for fifteen weeks in a row. In previous years, stability was usually limited to a maximum period of ten weeks. If we go back in time a little further, stability was usually limited to approximately five weeks. In this regard, the current stable market sentiment in Germany can be called unique. In the Netherlands there has been some movement in pig prices in recent months, but within a limited range. Broadly speaking, Dutch quotations have also been stable for some time.

A few years ago, many pig farmers would have signed blindly for such stability at a historically high price level, but today things are different. Cost inflation in the chain means that the current price level for fattening pig farmers is often just enough to write black figures. The high piglet costs are particularly noticeable.

Uncertainty has crept into the market
Therefore, the hope in the market was that pig prices would rise in the run-up to the summer holidays, supported by the nice weather and sporting events that provide a boost to meat consumption. However, that is not a feasible option at the moment. Uncertainty has crept into the market, partly due to African swine fever in Germany and trade tensions between Europe and China.