Weak demand keeps pressure on the piglet market

The pressure on piglet prices continues, although the reductions in the Netherlands are less severe than in the weeks before. For now, supply still exceeds demand. Fattening pig farmers remain very reluctant to place piglets. From the pig market, the signals are somewhat less negative than earlier this month. In previous years, piglet prices sometimes found firmer footing by the end of May, but that is not yet the case at this time. Price pressure continues because fattening pig farmers remain cautious due to disappointing returns and limited confidence in a swift market recovery. Export demand is also described as weak. The lower end of the free market has meanwhile fallen below the €40 mark. Export prices for standard batches are moving around €45 per piglet, it is said. The oversupply is being strengthened a little this week because one fewer slaughter day is taking place due to the Pentecost weekend. Further decline in DCA BestPigletPrice The quotes for the DCA BestPigletPrice vary somewhat. Based on the average, the listing this week comes to €43 per piglet, which is a reduction of €2.50. This means the pace of price declines is easing slightly compared with the past few weeks, although there is still no clear foundation for stabilization for the time being. Stable hog market Despite the short workweek, pigs are easy to place. The higher temperature is accompanied by fine weather conditions, and that is favorable for demand for pork, although the oversupply has not yet disappeared from the market. Traders expect supply in the Netherlands to decline in the coming weeks, which means the hooks at some slaughterhouses may not be fully filled. This also explains why some slaughterhouses have increased the weekly surcharge. A rise in asking prices is not yet in sight. As a result, the DCA Beurs Mutation Price remains unchanged this week.