Piglet prices in Poland remain low as the market stays stagnant
A survey by the Polish agricultural portal Farmer shows piglet prices have barely changed since late August. The pork market is also stagnating, and prices often fail to cover production costs.
The pig market in Poland continues to stagnate, according to a 24 October survey by the Polish agricultural portal Farmer. Prices of weaner piglets (young pigs of roughly 20–30 kg bought for fattening), both domestic and imported, have hardly moved in recent weeks. The portal says the last notable changes occurred at the end of August. Low prices and weak demand leave pig farmers with little prospect of an increase in the near term.
Domestic producers
Polish producers are asking 200–220 zlotys per head for 20 kg piglets. The average price in the survey was 205 zlotys, identical to the previous reading. The price for 30 kg animals dipped slightly to 240 zlotys from 243 zlotys. Overall prices range from 190 to 270 zlotys per animal.
Imported piglets
Prices of imported piglets have also stayed practically flat. The average from distributors' price lists is 183 zlotys per head, down from 185 zlotys previously. Depending on the importer and the animals' health status, prices range from 150 to 210 zlotys.
Fattened pigs also stagnant
The slump extends to the live pork market. In the portal's 23 October survey, class E fattened pigs cost an average of 5.85 zlotys per kilogram net, while the live-weight price fell to 4.40 zlotys per kilogram net. The portal notes that such prices often do not even cover production costs, especially in open-cycle fattening.
As a result, demand for piglets is limited, and significant price increases appear unlikely for now. The portal suggests a slight revival may come closer to the end of the year. Farmers hoping for a better live-pig market in March and April, as has been the pattern in previous years, may then decide to stock more piglets.
