First upward turn as the pig market surges after summer decline

The European pig sector reversed the downward trend in Week 32, past its low point. The DCA EU-5 Piglet Price Index increased by €0.86 to €29.45 per piglet. In the meat sector, the DCA EU-6 Live Pig Price Index rose 2 cents to €1.16 per kg, and the DCA EU-6 Pork Carcass Price Index rose 3 cents to €1.49 per kg.After four consecutive weeks of flat pricing, the German VEZG quotation has increased by €0.10 to €1.50 per kg in week 33. This rise re-established direction for the Northwest European market and triggered immediate upward adjustments across neighboring producing regions.Dutch slaughterhouses responded to the German quotations from all major processors, raising the Dutch carcass price by €0.08 to €1.30 per kg.The recovery is tied to ample slaughter pig availability and lower average animal weights. Improving demand for fattening pigs from Germany, Belgium, and Southern Europe has restored a healthier balance between supply and processing capacity.While Germany, Denmark, and Spain held carcass prices steady week over week, strong localized gains were posted in Poland, the Netherlands, and France.Despite the upward movement, high feed and labor costs remain, strict regulatory compliance, reduced third-country export demand (such as Asian and Mexican shipments), and ongoing African Swine Fever (ASF) restrictions in Spain keep internal EU competition high.PigletsThe piglet price recovery took place across most key exporting countries. The German piglet quotation rose by €1.00 to €31.00, Danish piglets rose from €1.34 to €24.29, and the Netherlands had a €0.50 gain to €26.50. Indicators, such as pig weights, a restricted slaughter supply, and firmer buying interest, suggest that the European pig and pork sector is, for now, on an upward trend.