Germany: V- price 2.20 €/ kg (range 2.20 – 2.25 €/kg) The weekly slaughter numbers were slightly higher again at 734,760 pigs (previous week 728,675 ), and the slaughter weights fell slightly to 97.5 kg . Pre-registrations were still low at 247,400 pigs (previous week 245,800) . The live supply remains scarce. The ISN auction on Tue, March 5th. 2024 brought an average of 2.35 €/kg in a range of 2.325 – 2.36 €/kg. The V-Prize is for the period from February 7th, 2024 to March 13th. 2024 has been set at 2.20 €/kg in a range of 2.20 - 2.25 €/kg. ASF : As of February 29, 2024, 5,661 ASF-infected wild boars have been detected in Brandenburg, Saxony and Mecklenburg. In Brandenburg the restricted areas were halved. Market and price development in selected competitor countries: In Denmark , the comparable prices were increased by +3 ct /kg to €1.81/kg in the 10th week of 2024. In Belgium, the comparable prices of €2.08/kg increased by 5 cents/kg in the 10th week of 2024. In the Netherlands , the quotations will be increased by 4 ct/kg in the 10th week of 2024 with comparable prices of €2.08/kg . In France/Brittany prices rose again by +5 ct/kg to €1.961/kg . The number of slaughtered pigs fell further to 343,987 pigs with a slaughter weight of 96.31 kg. In Italy, the prices rose insignificantly by +0.3 ct/kg in the 10th week of 2024. The supply remains limited with subdued demand. In Spain the prices will be increased again by +4 ct/kg in the 10th week of 2024 to a comparable €2.28/kg . The live supply is relatively scarce with limited sales opportunities. In the USA/IOWA, the rapid rise in producer prices continues to the current €1.52/kg (+5ct/kg). The slaughter numbers remain at the same level, but the increase in demand is slowing somewhat. Partial prices are developing inconsistently. The forward prices on the Chicago Stock Exchange for the delivery month April-24 are quoted at €1.76/kg. The summer months trade even higher. Brazil: On average, producer prices have fallen slightly to €1.54/kg . The month of February shows weak domestic sales; support from export business is still low. However, increasing sales figures and high prices are expected for 2024. China: After a brief spike, prices have fallen back to €2.57/kg . The usual seasonal weakness in demand is taking hold. The month of May 2024 is trading at 2.52 €/kg on the Dalian Stock Exchange. The number of sows has fallen to 41 million animals. The Ministry of Agriculture is estimating a figure of 39 million sows for the future in order to stabilize the market and prices. Conclusion: In most EU countries, pig prices have followed the guidelines from Germany. Low slaughter numbers, smaller pre-registrations, low cold storage stocks, ongoing stockpiling for the grilling season and stable demand are keeping pig prices at a trending upward level.
ZMP Live Expert Opinion
The supply situation on the pork market remains tight. However, rising pig prices cannot always be implemented immediately because there is strong resistance when reselling the cuts to food retailers and processing companies. In the long term, however, the market situation will have to be taken into account. In the other countries of the EU internal market, the quotations have followed the German pioneer.