ISN reports that the majority of quotations are remaining on the levels achieved in previous weeks. The Spanish and Belgian quotations, however, are showing a positive trend.

The Spanish market has progressively improved over the last four weeks though this is no surprise with the recent religious holidays. The corrected Spanish quotation was able to go up by 12 cents altogether over this time though the quantities of live pigs on offer in Spain are not enough to cover the demand. Slaughter weights are also observed to be decreasing in Spain, falling below the previous year’s level. This has been reported by Spanish market participants. As is heard, some exporters are discussing exports to China.

From the Spanish point of view, the extensive quantities of meat on offer on the European internal market may be regarded as the reason for the pigs-for-slaughter market stagnating throughout Europe. Bargain offers from Belgium are making the situation even more difficult. Although recently the quotations have been slightly increasing in Belgium, the country – still suffering from the African swine fever outbreaks – is still playing catch-up with the other European countries, showing a corrected price level of 1.22 cents per kg slaughter weight.

Continuing unchanged market situations are reported on from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and from Austria. The weak meat business has nipped in the bud any hope for price increases.

Trend for the German market

At the beginning of the week, the current market situation does not show any change. As is reported, the quantities on offer are vast enough to cover demand on the part of the slaughter companies. Additional lots are also sold as swiftly. So, the price development may be expected to remain at least unchanged.