From almost all countries, there are reports on extensive quantities of pigs for slaughter. Yet the demand remains high despite the Easter holidays.

Apart from Germany, well-balanced markets are reported on from France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and Denmark.

In view of the disastrous situation, the French pig feeders needed to resort ever more radical means. Some farmers smeared up shops of the Leclerc chain of supermarkets, igniting shopping trolleys there.

A ray of hope is shining through in France by individual enterprises being permitted to start exports toward China. The merger of two slaughter companies, Covalis and Westvlees, intended to build the Belgian Pork Group, was a major topic of conversation.

The newly merged enterprise will carry out more than 4 million pigs a year, thus achieving a third of the Belgian market.

Trends for the German market

Satisfaction is prevailing on the meat markets regarding the Easter business.

High-quality cuts were able to achieve higher prices. Quantities also achieved best sales.

The same kind of development also shows on the live-animals’ markets. Despite missing days of slaughter around Easter, the slaughter belts are running at high capacity; yet the slaughter companies’ demand cannot be covered completely.

With summer-like weather being announced, the demand for meat is expected to still be prompted. After the producers had been held back for several weeks now, a rise of prices is inevitable for tomorrow’s quoting.

The quantities of live animals are reflecting the results of the internet pig auction. Like over the past weeks, the batches on offer were well demanded. The average price amounted to 1.48 euros per kg.