Spanish pig prices jump to five-year record
Spanish pig breeders have witnessed a perfect year for their businesses, closing 2019 with an average price of €1,35/kg live-weight. It was the highest level recorded in the past 5 years and it went higher than the average market price in Germany (€1.34/kg live-weight).
A short synopsis of the Spanish swine sector for last year shows us that 2020 could be even more productive for the Iberian pork industry, according to Mercedes Vega, Genesus' General Director for Spain, Italy and Portugal. "Sow inventory has increased compared to 2018 by 1.6%. As of June 2019, there were 2,537,870 sows in Spain. Total pig inventory has increased with 1.32% reaching 44 million heads in October. Exports are up 12.9% compared to 2018, with China accounting for more than 25% of the Spanish pork exports. Spain has 48 processing establishments authorized for export of meat and pork products to China", she said in a report.
The volume exported in the Chinese market (502,388 tonnes) is up by 83.10% compared to 2018. Other important markets are as follows: France - 255,720 tons or 12.80% of total exports; Italy -153,057 tons or 7.60% of total exports; Japan - 117,814 tons or 5.90% of total exports; Portugal - 101,476 tons or 5.10% of total exports. "For 2020, the Spanish market is optimistic, against the fact that African swine fever (ASF) is still a threat to Europe. This year's price started at €1.49/kg live weight, up by almost 45% compared with the one recorded in January 2019 (€1,038/kg live weight). As new year prices are going strong, there are rumors of expansion, but China and ASF still cast a shadow of uncertainty over the industry, added Mrs. Vega.
However, slaughter capacity has been increased last year, with the entry into operation of the new facilities of the Pini Group, which is already processing around 70,000 pigs per week.
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