Pork prices in France continue to fall amid tensions on the European market, notably due to the effects of African swine fever (ASF) in Spain. According to FranceAgriMer’s October 2026 market outlook report, the price quotation for a Class S carcass stood at around 1,75 €/kg on 29 October 2026.
After an atypical trend during the year, characterized by stable prices at the start of the year followed by an increase from June, French quotations began a continuous decline from mid-September. They did not return to their 2025 level until late August and, over the first seven months of 2026, showed an average negative gap of around 25 cents/kg compared with the previous year.
FranceAgriMer highlights the impact of ASF outbreaks detected in Spain since November 2025. Spanish pork volumes that did not find outlets in certain Asian markets were redirected to the European market, putting downward pressure on prices.
Slaughtering and foreign trade
In September 2026, French pig slaughterings, calculated on a rolling twelve-month basis, were slightly down by 0,5% in volume and 0,8% in headcount. This trend comes amid a decline in the pig herd, estimated at 3,3% in June 2026, including 2,0% for sows.
Over the first eight months of the year, French exports of fresh, chilled or frozen pig meat fell by 5% in volume, or 13 000 tonnes less than a year earlier. Shipments to China fell particularly sharply (-23%, or -7 000 tonnes), while those to Spain (-9%) and Italy (-8%) also declined.
French imports, for their part, fell slightly (-2 % by volume). The trade balance remains in surplus by volume (+62 000 tonnes), but is in deficit by value, at -16 million euros, compared with a surplus of 22 million euros a year earlier.
Consumption and production costs
Overall pork consumption in France, calculated using a rolling twelve-month balance, was up by 1,3 % in August 2026.
At the same time, animal feed costs have evolved favorably for livestock farmers. In August, the cost of feed for finishing pigs stood at around 300 €/t, down 6 % over the rolling twelve-month period. However, FranceAgriMer points out that the decrease in feed costs does not fully offset the decline in quoted prices, keeping livestock farm profitability at an average level.
October 2026 / FranceAgriMer, “White Meat” Market Report / France.
