Pig news, 04/02/2020

Pork market: prices remain stable - what does the pre-Easter week bring? Germany: Despite the restrictions in shopping and consumption behavior due to the Corona epidemic, pig prices remain surprisingly stable. The battle figures dropped back to a still high 926,611 pieces . The slaughter weights, at 96.6 kg , indicate that early deliveries were included. The pre-registrations of 220,100 pigs for the current week have remained constant and, as a rule, could lead to slaughter numbers similar to those of the previous week. The V price for the 14th / 15th KW 2020 remained unchanged at € 1.89 / kg . The upper part of the range was reduced: 1.89 to 1.89 € / kg. The prices for the resale to food retailers, processors and for export remained unchanged in the last week. There were slight weaknesses in the chop.Third country business with a focus on China continues to be at a low level. However, there is a positive trend. The meat industry does everything possible to keep the business and the flow of goods going. The ASP remains a constant threat in Germany. Increased investigations are being carried out around the new ASP outbreak near the German border. Price developments in individual competing countries : In Belgium , hamster-like demand has calmed down again. The slaughterhouses now only ask pigs cautiously. Prices are under pressure. In France , a decline in demand is also reported. The slumped out-of-home consumption sets the section prices and pressure. Belly and shoulder prices are falling, ham prices remain stable. The export business is sluggish. Slightly falling pig prices are expected. In Italy the meat industry is running approx. 30% below normal level. There is a shortage of workers in the processing area.The prices remain unchanged for the time being. In Austria , small slaughterhouses have personnel difficulties. Larger companies lure the Eastern European workers with bonuses so that they don't go home over Easter and have to be quarantined. Vacationers are missing. In Spain , the rapidly increasing range of living has returned to normal. Hamster purchases have subsided. The lack of holidaymakers is increasingly noticeable in the weak domestic demand. Exports to China are making significant progress. Sufficient refrigerated containers are expected again in the next few weeks. Pig prices remain stable. Denmark has slightly adjusted its pig prices down over the past week. Sales in the EU internal market are only average; A revival shows the third country business. Prices for the coming week remain unchanged.   Hamster purchases in the USA keep pig prices at the producer level at € 1.13 / kg for a short time.The stock exchange prices in Chicago, however, experience a massive slump for the summer dates by more - 30 ct / kg. The reason for this is the unexpectedly high number of pigs at the cattle count . In the next 2 months, 6.5% more pigs will be ready for slaughter. The expectations were 2 to 3%. The current battle figures are 11.5% above the previous year's level. There is 10% more pork in the cold stores than in the previous year.   In Brazil , the converted prices fell further to € 1.14 / kg . In addition to the further decline in the Brazilian currency, the price decline in national currency also plays a role. The causes are strikes and coronavirus-related disorders. This affects the supply chain in the food sector. The Chinese business continues to slow.China: After a short interim high, prices fell again to € 6.18 / kg on average. The blocking measures have largely been lifted. The economy is starting up again. The government has given top priority to meat supply and opened additional state warehouses. Meat imports are increasing again.