Prices are up all over Europe this week in the European mature pigs market.

Form most countries, "giant leaps" were recorded in prices, after uncertainty caused by the discovery of African Swine Fever in wild boar on EU territory led to some concerns and caused prices in some areas to drop or stagnate.

However, after positive signals last week, the leaps in prices observed look set to make up for the earlier decreases. According to German industry group ISN, "Last weekend, the spring-like weather and mild temperatures [stimulated] demand for barbecue meat and created the tailwind needed to boost the meat business."

In Germany, this translated into a 13 cent rise in prices, bringing the German quotation to €1.55 (£1.30) per kilo. ISN said that the last time so high a price increase was realised was in the midst of the dioxin crisis at the beginning of 2011, when persistent organic pollutants were found to have been shipped to a number of farms in Germany and the Netherlands, leading to widespread farm closures.

ISN said the trend in Germany had irritated slaughter companies but that, due to supply-demand imbalances, there is not likely to be any retaliation. Rises in Germany quotations had knock-on effects for the surrounding countries. Dutch prices rose by 12.3 cents, Belgian prices by 12.4 cents, and Austrian quotations by 9.3 cents.

In the UK, a converted 1 cent price rise tipped quotations over the €1.90/kg mark (prices are currently sitting at £1.59/kg)

There were also moderate price increases in Denmark and France. Elsewhere, prices held steady.

In Spain, where prices held steady, the industry is awaiting the results of inspection missions being undertaken by Russian veterinarians, who may recommend a reopening of the Russian market for pork exports with countries at a distance from the areas affected by ASF.

EU leaders have been critical of some EU states for 'going it alone' in negotiations with Russia, which suspended imports from the block when ASF was detected in February.