The decline in EU pig prices has slowed in recent weeks, after recording sharp falls in September and October, according to BPEX.
“The slowdown in the average price decline is a result of stability across the key markets,” said BPEX, adding that the German pig price, in fact, was virtually unchanged during the four weeks ending November 16.
“This was a result of an improvement in processor demand and some reduction of supply from the high levels seen earlier in the autumn.”
Elsewhere, prices in Ireland, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands showed some increase during the four-week period while Spain, France and Poland continued to suffer a further fall in values.
BPEX also observed that as the rate of decline in the EU pig price slows, so the gap between the UK and EU price has started to close.Â
“For the week ended November 16,” said BPEX, “the difference between the two prices stood at €42 (£33.25), down from a record €49 (£38.75) five weeks before.”