EU pigmeat market: prospects for the rest of 2017 In the latest June issue, the experts at the European Commission have published a preview of the development of EU pig slaughtering for the second part of 2017. On the basis of previous cattle surveys and expert assessments. In the first half of 2017 , the experts will be more adept Security, the slaughter numbers of -3.2% in the I.Quarter and -1.9% in the second quarter of the previous year. The previously high level of pig prices in January-17 with prices around the order of 1.60 € / kg underpinned this statement. Support also comes from the export side, according to which the pork exports are in line with the very high level of 2016 Have somewhat declined, but are significantly higher than the multi-annual average. The supporting pillar is exports to China / Hong Kong .For the last two quarters of 2017 , the estimates from the cattle population figures show that the slaughter quantities are of the order of magnitude of approx. -3 % below the previous year's figures . It should be borne in mind that, in quarterly comparison, the last two quarters always deliver the highest results in absolute numbers. The conclusion can therefore only be that the seasonal supply pressure may be slightly lower this year. The further development of the pork exports with a focus on China will be crucial .A restrained Chinese pork consumption Despite significantly fallen Pork prices and rising income Has already contributed to a significant reduction in imports . Partially the decreasing Deliveries to China by rising sales in other importing countries intercepted.However, the prospects indicate that the high export level of the previous year will not be reached again. It is expected, however, that EU pork exports will still remain above the multi-year average . This will result in a necessary relief for the surplus EU market. Both components - the declining slaughter rate and above-average exports - could provide the piggy prices for the rest of 2017 the necessary support for an average level.
