Spanish pork prices remain at all-time high levels, according to Mintec data. Prices have been reported stable on the current price since 5th April. The MBP for Pig Deadweight Grade S EXW Spain [Mintec Code: BW59] was assessed at €2.30/kg, unchanged on the week, but up 22% y-o-y.
Market sentiment in the Spanish market remained neutral during this week’s assessment period as live supply is tight. The Spanish pork market is currently suffering from a major shortage of piglets and slaughter pigs. In order to compensate for the lack of live pigs, slaughter weights have increased between 5-7kg according to multiple market sources. For months, the extremely aggressive Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) strain ‘Rosalia’ has been negatively impacting the Spanish sow herds and causing massive production losses. In the affected farms, there is an increase in abortions, premature births and stillbirths. The surviving piglets are less vital, which has a negative effect on the loss rates in rearing and fattening. So far, it has not been possible to compensate for this considerable drop in production with the significant increase in piglet imports, especially from the Netherlands and Belgium.
