Due to many days missed over Christmas, a backlog of supply from member countries’ live animals markets has been created.

For that reason, the quotations were decreased at short notice in many countries even before the New Year.

The German quotation was again regarded as a standard with its four-cent price decrease the day before New Year’s Eve. Pressure had been massively increased by German slaughter companies; having the blues is a daily occurrence.

The prices also went down noticeably in Austria, the Netherlands and in Ireland.

Spain recorded a slight price decrease. The Danish and French price levels are steady at present.

Positive impetus is provided by the Euro which is running on a downward trend, having reached the lowest level since the beginning of 2006.

Trend for the German market

After two weeks filled with public holidays, the quantities of live animals on offer are quite high this new calendar week. They need to be tackled step by step now, with the meat market gradually steaming up. The swiftness of how that is done is a decisive factor for the prices further developing. For some market observers, it has clear potential.