According to German pig organisation ISN, the mature pigs market is stabilising in Southern Europe and into Central Europe, but producers in the North are still having difficulties. Quotations in Spain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria remain unchanged, though those in Denmark, Great Britain and Ireland are weakening. As a result of large quantities on offer, the French quotation also went down a little.

For this reason, the Danish quotation, previously head and shoulders above the rest of the EU, bolstered by good export trading, is now closing up with the EU's mid-fielders as regards price.

In December, the Danes still were ahead of Spain, ranking first in the European price structure and quoting almost 10 cents above the German price level. Currently, Danish producers are generating 3.3 cents per kg slaughter weight above the Germans' revenue.

ISN also said that, "In Spain, an optimistic mood prevails again due to good demand, satisfying exports and declining slaughter weights."

The EU industry has been fractured by disharmony in recent weeks, as the major pig producing states remain in violation of new welfare legislation and EU action to curb unfair competition between compliant and illegal pig producers has stopped short of introducing trade restrictions.  

Across the EU as a whole, reduced quantities of mature pigs is resulting in market stabilisation that ISN said could last.