Pig market is a barrel full of setbacks and disappointment

In the typically busiest period of the year for meat sales, the pig price is being cut and sheared. The Dutch pig sector has to absorb a new setback now that Van Rooi Meat has reportedly lost its recognition to export to China, according to multiple sources. The pig market remains in a whirlpool around mid-November, which has spread from the Netherlands throughout Europe. In Germany, prices are falling, as in Spain. Danish Crown did not lower further this week. Dutch slaughterhouses are leading with reductions. It is an atypical trend that has not occurred in recent years during this time of year. From the market, it is heard from multiple sides that Van Rooi Meat has recently lost its recognition for China, which would be a new setback for the Dutch pig sector. The company itself was unreachable for comment on Friday afternoon. This would not be the first time. In 2021 and 2022, Van Rooi was also without recognition for one and a half years to be able to export pork and by-products to China. The market is crucial for that last category to wrap around the square value. Meat market Amid falling pig prices, Christmas sales in Europe are starting to gain momentum. This is also evident from DCA Market Intelligence's parts prices this week. Why the pressure on the live market is still so high remains a mystery. Slaughterhouses nonetheless claim that margins are under pressure nowadays. It is true that whole and half carcasses are poorly marketable and that the euro remains consistently strong. Furthermore, slaughterhouses in Europe have had to deal with Chinese import tariffs since September. The DCA Beursprijs must follow the downward path initiated by slaughterhouses. Based on the reports, the price of slaughtered pigs drops again by €0.06 to €1.50 per kilo. The quotation for live pigs falls by €0.05 to €1.15 per kilo.