Although there has been little overall change in the EU mature pigs market this week, British producers received a welcome price rise after prices dipped for the first time in two months last week.

Scarce supply and consistent demand across Europe should be translating into price rises of the type seen at the beginning of the month, according to German group ISN. Although this week bad weather has muted demand somewhat, ISN said on Tuesday, "Despite the scarce supply situation the quotations have been getting nowhere for three weeks now."

Most EU states saw more sideways movement this week.  

According to ISN, the disappointing situation in Germany is the result of Danish Crown successfully preventing a prices increase. As long as the leading German quotation remains static, price rises in neighbouring countries will be impossible.

French pig keepers suffered a 4.5 cent price decrease. On the one hand, the French have to cope with weak domestic demand because of the weather; on the other the low price level reigning in other EU member countries has impaired France's export business.

In the UK, however, prices recovered slightly from a drop last week. Prices rose to €1.97/kg (£1.60), though could not reach the high of the previous week.

ISN suggested that a continuation of tight supplies combined with improving weather should provide the impetus needed for a price rise on the Mainland.