It is difficult to estimate the effect that private storage aid may be having on the market. Support for the scheme, which will begin during the second week of November, is highly likely and applications are currently being filed. Nevertheless, the announcement of private storage seems to have brought some stability to the pig market.

In Sweden and in Great Britain, food retailers are beginning to express solidarity with domestic pig producers. As a result of increased feed costs, and a considerable amount of pig industry campaigning, they are voluntarily paying a higher price for pork - the benefit being passed back to pig producers' pockets. In both of these countries, consumers, for the most part, prefer to purchase home-produced pork.

For the time being, the marketing situation has eased a little on the meat side. Pressure remains within domestic markets, but exports are proving satisfactory with regard to quantities. However, the strong Euro is beginning to have a downward effect on prices.

Trend:
In some countries, 1st November is a red-letter day, and so some backlog is expected to come to the market. However, balancing should be possible and steady prices should be achieved as a result of private storage and a lead up to the Christmas market.

Further Reading

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