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European finished pig prices remained at a high level through the second half of 2011. Normally, prices fall during the autumn before recovering slightly in the run up to Christmas. This year, there was little sign of the seasonal fall and prices actually increased during October and November. They reached a peak of over €160 per 100kg in early December, their highest level since October 2008. Prices at this level are
unprecedented at this time of year and the average was €23 higher than in December 2010.
German prices remained at just below €160 per 100kg for much of the year before rising to over €165 in November and December. Prices in the Netherlands and Denmark followed a similar trend, albeit at a lower level. Prices in France rose even more sharply, increasing by 13 per cent between the end of September and mid November, peaking at €161 per 100kg, briefly above the EU average for the first time since early May. Polish prices rose later than elsewhere, peaking just before Christmas at €167 per 100kg.
Amongst major producing Member States, only Spain experienced declining prices during the autumn.
Having been well above the EU average in the summer, Spanish prices fell below average during October and
continued to fall to finish the year below €150 per 100kg. Since Christmas, prices across Europe have fallen sharply.
Friday February 10, 2012/ BPEX/ United Kingdom.
http://www.bpex.org.uk
