According to Eurostat projections, the number of pigs slaughtered in the EU's most important production regions will fall again in the third and fourth quarters of 2013. The 6th largest production region, Poland, is expected to see a conspicuously high decline of between -9% and -12%.
Spain is expected to reduce its slaughter figures by almost the same amount, up to -11.6%. For the 4th quarter, the Spaniards will even be fine, as there will be no more holidaymakers to feed and the usual winter oversupply in Spain will not be as serious and will put pressure on prices.
In contrast, French production is expected to fall sharply again by almost 7% in the 3rd quarter, but stabilize at a slightly higher level in the last quarter of the year.
Germany is also expected to see a reduction in production of between -4.6% and just under -5%, according to Eurostat.
In the Netherlands and Denmark, supply is expected to remain largely unchanged.
For all other countries, Eurostat predicts a reduction in slaughter volumes of between -1.6% and -4%.
The supply of pigs for slaughter in the second half of 2013 will be noticeably smaller. However, the development of demand at home and abroad will be decisive for the price trend. A less pressing supply could help to keep the price level relatively high if demand at least remains stable.
