Increasing prices are dominating the European mature pigs market this week, according to trade body ISN, which said on Tuesday that finally "the penny has dropped: With the quantities of live animals being scarcer, the period of getting nowhere is ending."

Quotations are rising noticeably, with a 2 to 3 cent surcharge. Producers in Great Britain saw the best of increased quotations, with a rise of 6.4 cents.

The Spanish quotation continues to rank first, moving closer to 1.80 euros per kg slaughter weight. As a result of the price increase, ISN said "Germany is competing almost neck to neck with Denmark, where this week's quotation moved sideways." The French, too, is balanced, with quotations rising only slightly.

As supply remains tight, against lively demand, ISN suggested producers in most EU countries can remain optimistic about price developments.