German pig producers' group ISN has said that a return to stability in the mature pigs market is increasing optimism this week, after "German slaughter companies flexed their muscles last week," and put pressure on prices in Germany.

Throughout much of the EU, supply and demand are balanced and quotations in most states remain unchanged. As the market leader, however, Spain's upward trend continued this week.

A return to high demand in the country, where the effects of recession had previously translated into dwindling consumption of pork and red meat, led to a 0.5 cent price increase. ISN said on Tuesday, "In this way, Spain is able to reinforce its top position among the five major pig producing EU countries."

In Britain, too, producers benefitted from a notable increase this week. Prices plummeted from on high recently in the UK, but are gradually making their way back up. In terms of returns, Britain currently sits third in the table of EU pig producers.

ISN revealed that midfielders in the table are very closely spaced, with France, Denmark and Germany reporting around 1.63 euros per kg slaughter weight, compared to 1.85 €/kg for Italy, 1.58 €/kg for Spain and 1.71 €/kg for GB.

The German organisation said that, "Nothing is left of last week's pricing pressure. Currently, aflatoxin in feedstuffs is not interfering with the pig market." However, ISN said the latest in a series of food scandals to hit Germany over the past two months "does not contribute to consumers' trust in foodstuffs," though analysts added "The beginning of the new month and of spring have given rise to hope that prices will remain at least unchanged."