After the recent spikes in pig prices experienced across Europe, markets have now stabilised in time for the Christmas holidays. ISN reports that the market is developing into a cross-border trading post, resulting in stable prices sitting at the high levels achieved in previous weeks.

In addition to Germany, Spain, Denmark, France and Austria reported marginal to no price changes. In Denmark, the market-leading slaughter company had already announced in advance that prices would fall in week 50. However, with a decrease of only 4 cents, this was only half as much as had initially been announced in November. Now the current quotation for pigs for slaughter in the neighbouring country is to remain unchanged until the end of the first week of January.

The Belgian quotation was corrected by a 2.5 cents decrease. This week, the Dutch quotation is particularly striking because the so-called DCA Beursprijs 2.0 was suspended due to market uncertainties, as is reported by the Dutch trade magazine boerderij.

The Dutch slaughter company Van Rooi Meat announced last Friday afternoon that it would lower its own payout price by 20 cents. The high price level in China has noticeably reduced demand there.

As a result of increased supply, the pig prices in China have been falling for three weeks. Now, pork intended and ordered for overseas can be settled in accordance with the conditions agreed upon.

Uncertainty continues to loom over the trade relations between China and the USA, and the effects of the forthcoming Brexit on intra-Community trade are yet unknown. In export-oriented Spain, growing buying interest in Japan and other Southeast Asian countries is currently being observed.