Schweine News, 03/22/2023

Germany: V price 2.28 €/kg (range 2.28 – 2.33 €/kg) - unchanged The weekly slaughter figures have risen slightly to 740,817 pigs ( previous week 738,728 ), but remain far below multi-year average values; the slaughter weights have decreased somewhat to 97.15 kg . With 235,000 pigs (previous week 238,100 ), the pre-registrations remain well below the average of previous years. At the ISN auction on Tue, Mar 21In 2023, an average price of €2.38/kg (-2 ct/kg) was achieved in a range from €2.355 to €2.395/kg. The V price for the period from 03/23/2023 to 03/29/2023 remained at €2.28/kg; the range is from 2.28 to 2.33 €/kg. ASF : As of March 17, 2023, 5,167 ASF infected wild boars in Brandenburg, Saxony and Mecklenburg have been officially confirmed. In the Neisse-Spree area, the infection pressure from the east and south of the area is increasing with the risk of further spread in the north. Market and price development in selected competitor countries: In Denmark , prices in the 12th week of 2023 were increased to a comparable calculated €1.82/kg by +2 ct/kg. This narrows the gap to the other countries. In Belgium, prices are in the 12thCW 2023 remained unchanged once again at €2.16/kg . Pigs are in short supply, but meat sales are still difficult. In the Netherlands , the prices in the 12th week of 2023 also remained at a comparable calculated €2.16/kg . In France/Brittany, prices have increased slightly to €2.377/kg . The slaughter figures are as low as 354,675 pigs. Slaughter weights have increased slightly at 95.95 kg. In Italy, the listings in the 12th week of 2023 increased by a further 1 ct/kg . The supply remains too small for the demand. In Spain, the prices in the 12th week of 2023 were increased again by 3 ct/kg at a comparable €2.60/ kg. In addition to the (feed) cost pressure, high animal losses as a result of the PRRS epidemic ensure a scarce supply of live animals. Pigs are brought in from abroad.The Pig Association fears that ASF will be introduced as a result of the large number of piglet imports. In the USA/IOWA, prices have remained at the equivalent of €1.60/kg . Battle numbers remain at reduced levels. The partial prices tend to fall somewhat. The price expectations on the stock exchanges for the coming summer months have fallen below €2/kg. Brazil: The average producer prices have been reduced to 1.66 €/kg with REAL weakening again. The seasonal peak in consumption is over. By Brazilian standards, the price level is comparatively high. For cost reasons, the number of pigs has declined considerably. Export negotiations with Australia are intended to stimulate export business. China: Prices rose by the equivalent of €2.90/kg in mid-March 2023. The demand for meat is seasonally weak, as is usual. But the state conducts stock purchases to stabilize prices. On the Dalian Stock Exchange, May 2023 prices are already trading at the equivalent of €3.06/kg.For the July 2023 delivery, prices are back at €3.20/kg. The spread of ASF is increasing again in the north of the country. The reason is the increasing travel after the lifting of the Covid restrictions. Conclusion: The battle numbers remain low compared to previous years. A usual build-up of stocks for the barbecue season hardly takes place. But the current demand for meat remains cautious for the time being, so that price increases can hardly be pushed through. The preparations for Easter should start slowly. A price increase cannot be ruled out. Livestock numbers across the EU point to a further shortage of livestock.