The current Private Storage Aid (PSA) scheme for pigmeat appears to have had little impact on the EU pig market to date, according to BPEX.
Noting that by April 6, requests for PSA stood at a total of 47,400 tonnes, equivalent to about 40% of EU exports or 3% of production during March last year, BPEX said that this has had “little impact on supply levels”.
Over 60% of the scheme’s intake is related to boned legs, with a further 20% covering boned bellies or middles, mostly being stored for the minimum 90 days.
“The main countries involved are Spain, Denmark, Germany and Poland, accounting for over 70% of applications between them,” said BPEX. “As all are major exporters, this suggests that the scheme is mainly being used for product intended for export, which will be released at a time of year when demand is usually better on key export markets.”