Since 10 September, the French pork market has seen successive declines. The Breton pig price quotation at Plérin has fallen by nearly 6 cents per week, heavily impacting producers’ incomes. At 1,552 €/kg on 26 October, the price at Plérin had fallen by 35,1 cents since 14 September (-18,4%). It is now only 1,4% above its level on the same date last year.
This decline comes as production costs are rising. Driven by the increase in raw material prices, animal feed currently accounts for nearly 70% of the total cost of producing a pig, further reducing margins in the pig farming business.
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“If everyone consumed French pork in stores, the price paid to the producer wouldn’t fall like that”, says Carole Joliff, chair of the Brittany Regional Pig Committee (CRP).
According to Carole Joliff, large retailers’ purchasing centers, keen to maintain an image of affordable purchasing power among consumers, also contribute to reducing farmers’ margins, which have already been weakened by the decline in pork prices.
No opportunity for pork exports
Export outlets remain limited for the time being. Currently, French pork exports consist mainly of offal, a large share of which is destined for the Asian market.
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Imports have a significant impact on prices in the French market
Representatives of the pork industry are urging the French to pay closer attention to the origin of products when shopping in stores. While nearly 85% of the fresh pork consumed in France is of domestic origin, more than 25% of processed products are made with imported pork. Imports of cured meats produced in the EU, particularly in Germany and Italy, have continued to rise since 2022.
Epidemics are shifting the pork market
For Carole Joliff, “ intra-European pork trade will continue for several more years ». The consequences of African swine fever continue to influence trade and affect the balance between supply and demand in the European market.
