The European mature pig market is stabilising after prices drops across Europe in recent weeks. This week the majority of quotations moved sideways. German pig body ISN has forecast an upward turn in prices, though this has yet to occur.

Danish and French quotations have hit rock bottom, with France even quoting a marginal plus this week. French quotations are drawing nearer to the Dutch price level as a result, though it remains fifth in the list of the EU’s top five pig producing states. ISN said on Tuesday that “France’s fall in prices, as it has occurred over the past six weeks, seems to have ended now that the prices have gone up symbolically.”

In Spain, where recession has dramatically reduced domestic demand, the seasonal autumn depression has compounded misery. A general strike has been announced for 14th November in Spain. The Spanish quotation dropped by 3 cents this week. ISN said that quotations are closing ranks between major producers in the EU.

ISN said that, as the quantities of available pigs decrease this week, whilst demand starts to pick up ahead of the Christmas period, producers can begin to hope for the price increase they been awaiting to be realised.

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