Economy

Higher pig supplies and weakness in the meat market triggered a sharp change in the German market trend during September.

After the exceptional respite in August, the European hog market is back on a bearish trend. Spain faces the coming months under pressure from falling prices, ASF, and growing international competition in a global market with an oversupply.

This summer’s extreme heat has unexpectedly turned the European pig market on its head. A shortage of pigs and a rebound in demand have driven prices sharply higher in Spain and Germany, but competition from the world’s major exporters and weak Chinese demand paint an uncertain picture for the months ahead.

Success in pork marketing increasingly depends on understanding the customer: the buyer persona is becoming a key tool for improving margins and competitiveness.

Lower pig availability failed to support the market as weak demand, abundant pork supplies, and pressure from slaughter companies pushed the German pig sector into one of its worst crises in years.

Europe's dependence on fertilizers and natural gas highlights the importance of making better use of livestock manure as a source of nutrients and renewable energy.

The heat wave in Europe and the tension in Hormuz are bringing volatility back to markets that seemed calm just a few weeks ago.

For the first time in years, no market expects prices to be higher than the year prior.