Analysis Pigs
Pig market unprecedentedly stable this year
From the volatility that traditionally characterizes the pig market, there is hardly anything noticeable in 2024. Throughout the year, pig prices have been moving in a range of €0.20 per kilo. From a historical perspective, this is an unprecedented small range. Currently, the weeks in which the pig price remains stoic continue to string together.
Out of the 42 weeks passed this year, the German pig price (VEZG) remained stable for 36 weeks. The price started the year at €2.10 per kilo, rose to €2.20 per kilo in the spring, and has been at €2 per kilo since mid-August. Such a stable pattern has not occurred in the recent past. In recent years, the market has been characterized by longer stable periods, but 2024 is currently setting a record. Dutch pig prices have been slightly more volatile than in Germany so far this year, but overall the market here can also be considered very stable.
In the coming weeks, a continuation of stability in our part of Europe seems likely. There are enough pigs to fill the hooks and meet the slaughter plans as desired. The market in Spain is under considerable pressure, while in Denmark an upward trend is visible.
Sial in Paris
Meanwhile, slaughter numbers in the Netherlands are steadily increasing, as is seasonally customary. In week 42, the highest number of pigs slaughtered since early January was recorded in the Netherlands, with nearly 290,000 pigs slaughtered, when there was an extra supply due to the so-called Christmas backlog. Speaking of which, very cautiously, the meat trade is reporting a growing demand due to Christmas purchases. Starting this weekend, the Paris food fair Sial takes place, where buyers and sellers confront each other. This might bring more action to the game and boost the meat market. However, reportedly, the frozen stocks are sufficient to meet a peak in demand, so overly high expectations for pig prices are not realistic.
DCA Beursprijs
For next week, the DCA Beursprijs 2.0 remains at €1.96 per kilo for slaughtered pigs. The price of live pigs also remains unchanged at €1.54 per kilo.
