Pig Meat: Situation and Outlook

摘要

In 2009 the global pig meat market was characterised by poor demand, a symptom of the economic downturn. With pig prices at well below year earlier levels producers in many parts of the world were once again under pressure, despite lower feed costs. The H1N1 influenza (pig 'flu) outbreak also had some adverse impact on demand, especially in Asia. Such was the fall in demand that there was an over-supply of pig meat on the world market. In North America most producers were in a loss-making situation during 2009 so that sow numbers continued to steadily fall. As producers' cash flows are expected to remain negative for some months to come, further declines in the breeding herd are inevitable until the market is better balanced. Profitability was poorin the EU too with pig prices falling sharply during the autumn. However, the decline in the breeding herd had largely come to an end by mid-2009. Japanese producers also struggled, a situation not helped by the expanding breeding herd and hence increased slaughterings.