German Pig producers' organisation ISN said this week that the European mature pigs market has regained stability. Quotations are moving sideways, after prices continued to slide last week.

In Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands prices were unchanged. For the first time since Christmas, French producers saw their prices fall. Reductions of up to 2.3 cents weakened the French position, which ISN said had defied the European trend for over a month.

Nevertheless, demand across much of Europe remains weak, although export opportunities are slowly increasing. ISN said on Tuesday, "Steady prices may be expected. Currently, there's no upward scope left."