At the start of the month, the situation remained stable: the base price held at €1.95/kg, and the market appeared balanced. Gradually, however, demand began to fall. With the end of the barbecue season, meat sales slowed, and by mid-September, the quotation had slipped to €1.85/kg, where it remained until month’s end.
A similar trend was observed in the piglet market. While a 25-kg piglet was priced at around €61.50 at the beginning of September, by the end of the month the price had dropped to €54, reflecting finishers’ caution and a sluggish meat market.
For sows, the situation was somewhat more stable, but prices still fell from €1.05 to €1.00/kg. Supply generally matched demand, though processors remained cautious, waiting for stronger sales activity.
Against a backdrop of stable production figures across the EU, political developments had a tangible influence on the market. In September, Germany dismantled its ASF protective fence in the Pfungstädter Moor region (Hesse), symbolizing a gradual return to normal operations.
At the same time, the global situation was complicated by China’s anti-dumping tariffs on European pork, introduced on September 10. The new rates range from 15.6% to 62.4%, sharply reducing export opportunities for EU producers. Although Germany cannot export pork directly to China due to African Swine Fever, all European producers have felt the consequences through an oversaturated internal market.
“European processors are facing tougher competition, and prices remain under pressure as stocks build up. Even though Germany doesn’t export directly, the effects are being felt throughout the EU,” ISN analysts reported.
According to ISN estimates, EU pork production will continue to decline as sow inventories decrease. In Germany, slaughter numbers remain stable for now, but imports of live animals are falling — a factor that may support prices in the longer term.
Analysts expect that autumn demand for meat and sausages could rise somewhat, offering limited price stabilization. However, the EU’s pork surplus and weak export prospects will continue to weigh on the market in the coming weeks.
Experts describe the current situation as one of “cautious anticipation”: full cold storage, weak demand, and heightened competition among processors leave little room for optimism. A real recovery, they note, will depend on stronger retail demand or the easing of trade restrictions.
PigUA.info based on ISN / TopAgrar / pig333.com