Again, the German quotation has influenced those of the surrounding countries. According to German industry group ISN, After a few German slaughter companies paid discounted prices of no more than EUR 1.55 on Wednesday last week (right after unexpectedly high prices were announced – leading to an increase of 13 cents on the German quotation), prices were forced back down, dropping 5 cents to €1.50/ kg (£1.25) by Friday.

The Dutch, Belgian and Austrian quotations followed the German price downwards.

Denmark and France, on the other hand, built on last week's price increase, enjoying rises of 3 and 6 cents respectively, bringing quotations in the two countries above the German level. In the UK, a corrected 1 cent rise brought prices up to €1.92/ kg (£1.60)

In Spain, prices finally rose after 5 weeks of stagnation. A 7 cent rise brought prices up to €1.66/ kg (£1.39). Despite the rise this week, the situation in Spain remains complex. On the one hand, there has been disappointment over the failure to reach an agreement over restarting imports to Russia, which were suspended following the detection of African Swine Fever on European territory in February. On the other, Spanish producers competing with their American counterparts for Asian markets may benefit from the effects of PEDV (diarrhoeal disease) in the US, which has reduced stock and caused prices to rise.

According to ISN, there has been an observable shift in attention away from Russia amongst Spanish producers, as the country remains closed for EU imports

ISN remarked that, "From today’s point of view, the prices are expected to remain fixed at least."