EU weaner prices lift in final months of 2021

By Bethan Wilkins

Since the beginning of November, average weaner prices in the EU have been on an upward trend, increasing from around €29/head to €34/head by the end of the year.

At this time of year, we do normally see prices rising in anticipation of improved finished pig prices in the spring. Up to this point, weaner prices had been under pressure for much of the latter part of 2021 due to weak and falling finished pig prices. The difficult finished pig market has generated uncertainty around the outlook for market prospects this year. Despite the increase at the end of 2021, weaner prices in late December were still more than €10 lower than the five-year average, and the gap was not significantly narrowing. Nonetheless, with both weaner and finished pig prices rising in the run-up to Christmas, the situation is perhaps starting to improve.

Prices in most major Member States have reflected the overall trend and increased across the past couple of months, although Denmark was an exception, with prices still easing back. Prices in Spain, Germany and the Netherlands showed much stronger growth, with prices reaching the highest levels since the summer. Danish prices fared much better earlier in the year though, and so remain much higher than those elsewhere:

Latest weaner prices (week ended 2 January):

• Denmark: €43.57/head
• Spain: €33.08/head
• Germany: €27.80/head
• Netherlands: €15.50/head

Subscribe to receive pork market news straight to your inbox. Simply complete our online form.

While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.

All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk  © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.