EU weaner prices weakening

By Bethan Wilkins

Weaner prices have been weak for much of this year across the EU. In the spring, there was a period of relative respite when prices reached a peak of over €56/head, which was a little above the five-year average for the time of year. Nonetheless, prices have fallen back strongly since the summer and have been below €30/head since mid-October. In the latest week ended 24 October, prices averaged €28/head, €13 below the five-year average.

High feed prices are deterring some fatteners from buying pigs at the moment, to avoid further losses. The weak finished pig market also continues to exert downward pressure on weaner prices. Some Northern European countries have been reducing their breeding herds recently, but with expansion in Spain still ongoing, overall EU weaner supplies don’t look set to tighten significantly.

Looking at trends in individual countries, demand in the Netherlands will have weakened due to regulatory changes encouraging a reduction in the national breeding herd. The particular lack of demand there is reflected in the Dutch price, which as fallen by 80% from mid-April to just €9.50/head in the latest week.  

In contrast, prices in Denmark have fared comparatively well, with this being another country where expansion in the domestic breeding herd has been recorded. Over the same period, Danish weaner prices have only dropped by 26%, and currently average nearly €45/head.

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