German pork market update

Production

According to data from the European Commission, Germany’s finished pig slaughter during the first two months of 2022 fell by 9% (790,000 head) year-on-year to 7.9 million head. This meant that overall production fell by 11% to 755,000 tonnes. Declines in the breeding herd, and indeed the entire pig population have constrained production, This is forecast to continue for the rest of the year due to ASF, and because of poor profitability in the sector.

German meat market analysts AMI report that in the short-term the surplus of slaughter-ready pigs are continuing to fall, with the market now in a more balanced position. Regionally however there appears to be some variation in supplies.

ASF update

Recent data from the Freidrich-Loeffler Institute (10 June) shows that ASF has appeared in a handful of domestic German pig herds over the past month, largely in areas along the Polish border. However, the latest outbreak, confirmed on 26 May, was reported on a small holding in Baden-Wüttemberg state, which borders France and Switzerland. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest the virus has transferred to wild boar in the area.

Trade

During Jan-Feb 2022, Germany’s exports of fresh and frozen pork fell by a quarter year-on-year to 235,000 tonnes. Shipments declined particularly to the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, and Hong Kong. Of course, Germany remains locked out of the Chinese market due to ASF concerns.

Prices

As with many European markets, pig prices in Germany soared in recent weeks, on a shortage of available slaughter ready pigs. They have softened and then stabilised in recent weeks. As with pig production in the UK, calls have been heard from the German pig industry that more needs to be done on price in the face of high costs of production.

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