Pig marketing remains challenging with stable prices at a low level
Germany: V-price 1.45 €/kg (range 1.45 - 1.45 €/kg)
The weekly slaughter figures have not yet been published(previous week: 687,782) The slaughter weights have also not yet been published. In the previous week, they were 99.9 kg.
The pre-registrations for the current week amount to 310,700 (previous week: 315,600)
The ISN auction on Tue, 20.01.2026 was held without trading as no agreement was reached.
The V-price is for the period from 21.01.2026 to 28.01.2026has been set at €1.45/kg within a range of €1.45 - €1.45/kg .
Market and price development in selected competitor countries:
In Denmark , the comparably calculated prices are unchanged in week 4 of 2026 and stand at € 1.33/kg.
In Belgium, prices in the 4th week of 2026 are unchanged at € 1.21/kg.
In the Netherlands , prices in the 4th week of 2026 are unchanged at €1.36/kg.
In France/Brittany , comparable prices fell by 1 ct in the 4th week of 2026 and stood at €1.60/kg.
In Italy, prices fell by 4 ct in week 4 of 2026 to €1.96/kg.
In Spain, the comparable price in week 4 of 2026 is unchanged at €1.34/kg.
USA: with a dollar exchange rate of 1.17 $ = 1.00 € , producer prices are currently around 1.51 €/kg and have thus risen significantly compared to the previous week. The US pork market was stable overall last week, supported by continued strong domestic demand for pork and a high willingness to buy on the part of slaughterhouses. Supply remained adequate: slaughter numbers were slightly above the previous year and carcass weights were in line with normal levels, indicating orderly marketing without major surpluses. The strong export momentum was particularly noticeable, with Mexico clearly remaining the most important sales market and absorbing a very large proportion of US pork exports. At the same time, there was a noticeable boost in demand and firmer trends on the piglet market, which can be seen as a sign of confidence in the fattening sector. Risks for the coming weeks include possible trade policy disruptions (including ongoing discussions/audits in the Mexico business) and continuing tariffs in individual markets, even if the mood currently remains rather optimistic.
Brazil: Current producer prices are the equivalent of €1.65/kg and have fallen by around 10 ct compared to the previous week. The Brazilian pig market is currently characterized by seasonally weaker domestic demand, as many consumers are financially burdened by additional expenses at the beginning of the year (e.g. taxes, school start) and the summer heat is also dampening meat consumption. At the same time, supply remains high as production was significantly expanded in 2025 and there are still many animals ready for slaughter on the market. Relief comes primarily from exports, which are very strong and have broadened their base because the Philippines are now more important than China and other Asian markets are growing. In addition, more favorable feed costs are having a supporting effect, which is improving the profitability of production. Overall, associations and analysts see the situation as tense in the short term, but still positive in the medium to long term as long as exports and domestic demand remain stable and no animal health problems arise.
China: Prices in China have fallen slightly in the last week and are at the equivalent of €1.88/kg on the spot market. Last week, the Chinese pig market was rather subdued overall, as supply and demand did not clearly shift in favor of rising prices. On the supply side, there were short-term regional bottlenecks due to weather and logistics, but at the same time, additional volumes kept coming onto the market, which kept the situation sufficiently supplied overall. Although demand towards the Spring Festival is picking up seasonally, it has so far remained weaker than in typical years, meaning that the sales momentum is not yet being sustained across the board. It is also noticeable that regional differences are continuing to converge and classic north-south differences are less reliable, making local fluctuations more significant. Government intervention via reserve measures and uncertainties in foreign trade (including epidemic-related import issues) remain important factors influencing market sentiment.
Conclusion
The slaughter pig market remains stable despite extensive live supply, with the reduction of existing surpluses progressing gradually. In the auction markets, lots on offer once again remained unsold. The piglet market is balanced with prices remaining stable. Slaughter activity is high in many regions of Europe, which is reducing the surplus. However, the meat market remains characterized by ample supply and there is largely no stimulus on the demand side. The news situation is also influenced by the Mercosur agreement. A strong influence is not expected for the time being due to the limited import quotas. In addition, according to the current status, a review by the ECJ is taking place, which is putting a stop to ratification for the time being. It is unclear how long the review will take. However, it could be several months or even years.
ZMP Live Expert Opinion
The market remains stable, while the marketing of live animals is gradually easing. In piglet rearing, integration into the ITW system is progressing further, with the desired homogeneity increasingly being achieved. This is consolidating a marketing structure that relies more heavily on closed systems and clearly traceable supply chains. In the coming months, this trend is expected to further increase the importance of internal cooperation and predictable sales channels, and the requirements for transparency and traceability in the pig market will increase. The situation in the export business remains challenging, as supply pressure from other EU countries and restrictions due to animal diseases continue to limit international sales opportunities.
You see historical data because you're not logged in or not a ZMP Live+ member. Get your information advantage now!
