According to German producers' group ISN, the mature pig market is stabilising in Europe, following price drops which began when African Swine Fever was discovered on EU territory.

Even so, quotations still slipped in many countries last week. Price dips range from a corrected 1.3 cents in Belgium to a maximum 5 cents in France. Danish prices also took a hit for the first time since the Russian ban on pork imports was announced.

Prices also fell in Spain, as a result of the continued ban and against the trend for the time of year – prices in the country have traditionally recovered somewhat in February.

In Britain, prices swung back up to €1.84/kg, rising above Italian quotations to become the highest in Europe. The rise will be welcome, though the year so far has been unsettled and prices could not return to highs of €1.87/kg seen two weeks ago.  

Although prices continued to slip in Germany, ISN said the pattern appears to be for a levelling off of quotations and an end to the slip, as last week's decreases were more moderate. ISN said supply and demand were well balanced in Germany and that in Austria, declines had already halted, with quotations moving sideways last week. Analysts added, "from today's point of view, the prices are at least expected to remain unchanged."

The impact of the 'Russian shock' on the central European pig market is said to have ended, according to ISN, which was backed up by the conclusions of the VLV market report. In Ireland, prices have remained stable for several weeks.