The European mature pigs market is consolidating its strong position, according to German organisation ISN. Quotations have remained relatively stable for the past weeks in the majority of EU states, and this week the German, Dutch, Belgian, Danish, Austrian and Irish quotations stabilised around the established price level. 

However, France stood out as an exception this week. On Thursday, the French quotation went up by a corrected 5 cents. This rise shifted France up to second in the league table of major EU producers. Spain has retained its seemingly unassailable position at the top of the table. Prices there rose again this week, exceeding the 2 euro mark for the first time since ISN began compiling its price comparison data.

In Britain, too, prices rose last week.  

Offering a short-term outlook, ISN said on Tuesday that "In view of the balanced market situation… prices are expected to remain unchanged."