EU pig meat production fell by 4% in May
Pig meat production in Europan Union was 4% down in may compared to the same month last year. There was also a decrease of 4% in slaughter to 21 million head, which shows stable carcass weights.
According to AHDB analysts, Denmark and Poland had a serious influence on data registered in May. "Note that this decrease is particularly influenced by a marked reduction in production reported from Denmark (-30% year-on-year). Reported Danish production does tend to be volatile, perhaps indicating variation in the reporting period between years.
The rest of the country breakdowns show a more mixed picture for pig meat production during May. Poland also reported a large year-on-year decline of 10%. In the EU’s largest producer, Germany, production also remained lower in the month, with volumes falling by 1% on the year to 429,000 tonnes. Germany actually had fewer bank holidays in May this year, so on a working day basis the decline would be larger", said Jennie Tanner, Analyst, AHDB.
An increase in production was seen in Spain in France. "For the year to date, EU pig meat production was down 1% compared to the same period in 2018 at just under 10.1 million tonnes. The number of pigs slaughtered was also down 1% at 107.8 million head, again showing stability in the average carcass weight. Year on year, production in Germany is down 3% to 2.2 million tonnes. Year on year production in Spain is 3% higher than the same period last year, making up for some of the drop in German production," mentioned the analyst.
The decline in production was anticipated but the trend is not to last due to increased demand from China. "Perhaps the most important marker of the market is the piglet price. Currently a year ago the base price of Mercolleida was € 20 ($22.20) and this year it is € 35($38.75), the sale price in August 2018 with premiums was € 37( $41) and now it is € 58 (US $64.21), the highest price ever recorded this time of the year! Piglet price indicates the optimism and confidence for the future of the industry. The piglets that are entering now in the feeder’s facilities are those that will be marketed mid-November; past years price was € 1,038/kg live weight (US 52.14¢/lb) and € 1,028/kg live weight (US 51.64¢/lb)in 2018 and 2017 respectively. This big price difference shows where the market is today.
High demand from China from the last couple of weeks is helping Spanish packing plants to empty their chambers after a few months of atony. Seeing this, Chinese importers already agree to negotiate higher prices every week," explained Mercedes Vega, Genesus General Director for Spain, Italy and Portugal.
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