Pressure builds further in the European pig market

European piglet prices continued to decline sharply this week, reflecting the increasingly difficult conditions across the pig market. The DCA EU-5 Piglet Price Index fell further to €52.97 per head, a decline of 20.9% from its highest levels seen in 2026.After reaching relatively high levels around week 12 and showing a short period of stabilization, piglet prices have now corrected significantly from the peak of €66.93 per piglet. Part of this correction is linked to normal seasonal developments, although the significantly lower price levels seen last year are also translating into a weaker market environment this year.At the same time, export demand has become increasingly saturated, forcing producers to search for alternative sales channels. Spanish piglet prices currently stand at €46 per piglet, while the Dutch DCA BestPigletPrice moved even lower in week 21 to €45.50 per piglet. In Belgium, piglet prices have already dropped to €41 per piglet, highlighting the broad pressure across Northern Europe.The pork market also moved lower this week. The DCA EU-6 Pork Price Index declined by €0.04 to €1.54 per kilo, pressured by large meat supplies, slow pork sales, and cold spring weather that continues to limit seasonal demand. The decline in the index is mainly linked to the sharp €0.10 correction in German pig prices seen in week 20, although German quotations have remained stable since then through week 22.Additional pressure is also coming from Poland, where pig prices declined by a further €0.11 this week to €1.57 per kilo. Meanwhile, DCA pork cut mutations have also shown declines since May after the increases seen in March and the stabilization observed in April, reflecting the more difficult meat market conditions currently seen across Europe.