News Pigs
Pig prices plummet in early 2026
Pig prices in Northwest Europe will continue to decline in early 2026. Prices will fall sharply in both Germany and the Netherlands, meaning the price difference between the two countries will remain intact.
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The German VEZG price has fallen by €0,15 to €1,45 per kilo. This drop isn't surprising, but it is substantial. There were already rumors in the market that the German price would drop by 10 to 20 cents this week, under pressure from major German slaughterhouses.
The decline is partly due to price pressure from 2025. The German pig price stabilized at €1,60 per kilo at the end of November and ended the year at that level. Elsewhere in Europe, such as in the Netherlands, Spain, and Denmark, prices already fell further in December. Moreover, the pig supply in Germany is relatively ample, partly due to the growth of the pig population. For example, there were hardly any quitters last year.
The Netherlands follows Germany
Dutch slaughterhouses are largely following the German market. Compaxo is also reducing prices by €0,15 per kilo, while Vion, Van Rooi, and Westfort are reducing prices by €0,14. The market had hoped that the Dutch market would decline more moderately, thus closing the price gap with Germany. That hasn't happened.
Rumors are that there will be no further corrections later in January to the sharp drop in pig prices that are on the agenda this week.