The European mature pigs market has seen a whole range of variations over the past few days. Although price rises predicted weeks ago as summer weather arrived across much of Europe have come good in the South, where quotations held steady this week, in Central Europe, powerful meat processors continue to exert pressure on prices.  

German industry group ISN railed against slaughter companies again this week, as, in spite of a continued supply-demand imbalance, producers were slapped with further price cuts. The German quotation dropped 2 cents.

French, Belgian and British prices also took hits.  

ISN said that, "Although the Dutch quotation normally follows the German quotation, it stepped out of line" this week. In response to scarcer quantities on offer, Dutch producers benefitted from a small rise. The Austrian price is also usually pegged to the German quotation, but this week moved sideways instead of dropping off, as did Germany's.

Quotations in Spain, Denmark and Ireland were unchanged.

ISN analysts were adamant that, with continued good weather across much of Europe, and clear demand which is only expected to grow, prices will have to increase before too long.