Pig market has been unprecedentedly stable so far this year

Of the 42 weeks that have passed this year, the German pig price (VEZG) has remained stable for no less than 36 weeks this year. The price started the year at €2,10 per kilo, rose to €2,20 per kilo in the spring and has now been at €2 per kilo since mid-August. Such a stable pattern has not occurred in the recent past. In recent years, the market has increasingly been characterised by longer stable periods, but 2024 is currently the best. Dutch pig prices have been somewhat more volatile than in Germany so far this year, but here too the market can be described as very stable in general.

In the coming weeks, the stability in our part of Europe seems likely to continue. There are enough pigs to fill the hooks and to carry out the slaughter plans as desired. In Spain, the market is under considerable pressure, while in Denmark an upward movement is visible again. 

Sial in Paris
The slaughter figures in the Netherlands are meanwhile steadily increasing, as is usual for the season. In week 42, almost 290.000 pigs were slaughtered in the Netherlands, the highest number since the beginning of January, when there was extra supply due to the so-called Christmas gag. Speaking of which, the meat trade is very cautiously reporting an increase in demand due to the Christmas shopping. The Paris food fair Sial will take place from this weekend, a place where buyers and sellers cross swords. The game may then be more on the road and the meat market will get more steam. However, the frozen stocks are reportedly sufficient to absorb a peak in demand, so overly high expectations for the pig price are unrealistic in advance.

DCA Scholarship Award 
For next week, the DCA Beursprijs 2.0 remains at €1,96 per kilo for slaughtered pigs. The price of live pigs also remains the same at €1,54 per kilo. 

Click here for an explanation from DCA Market Intelligence on the listing.