Articles - Economy

There is no doubt that ASF weighs heavily on pig prices. Prices will probably rise until they reach (and possibly exceed) the cost price, but we should not expect any major joys in 2026.

Prices were expected to be significantly better than what ultimately materialized in the hog markets.

The speed and magnitude of the price drop at the beginning of January marked a discouraging start to the year for farms.

Spain has flooded the EU with cheap pork. Low pork prices dragged down prices in some countries.

Sara Mazo and Francisco Ruíz review what could affect the commodities market in 2026... at least based on the information currently available.

An in-depth understanding of the customer is essential for pig farmers who want to become more competitive, shifting from a tactical, production-focused approach to a strategic, customer-based approach.

The month was shaped by a seasonally unusual price decline and left the sector wavering between routine daily business and sudden uncertainty.

Construction costs in France stabilize: up 0.7% in a year, following several years of continuous increases.

We are in a critical market situation throughout the EU. It does not look like things will change until February next year.

Considering the spread of African swine fever (ASF) globally in recent years, are we prepared for this increased risk?

In the short term, the outlook remains subdued; in the medium term, smaller live supplies could allow prices to at least hold steady.

The grain and oilseed market has taken an unexpected turn in the last 15 days, with volatility and rising prices taking center stage.

September brought falling pig prices, declining piglet prices, and noticeably more cautious demand.

China has been Spain's largest market for many years, and with an additional 20% penalty, exports to China will decline significantly.

August brought a welcome breather to the German pig market.

A stew of grains with an abundance of ingredients, but seasoned with risks that could sour the overall dish.

Unusual drop in July and August of more than 17 cents, and it is expected to continue to fall.

The opportunities are real, but several challenges are holding the industry back.

In the first quarter of 2025, European pig trade continued to be marked by an increase in Spanish imports of piglets and finishing pigs.

Communication in the swine industry today faces a double challenge. On the one hand, there is a real need to transparently show the sector's work to an increasingly distrustful consumer, who is either uninformed or saturated with emotional messages. On the other hand, we must do so in a changing digital environment, which rewards the authentic, the emotional, and the useful.

Spanish slaughterhouses are between a rock and a hard place. The heat will accentuate the supply shortage. Pig prices are increasing or staying the same, pork prices are decreasing, and consequently, margins are deteriorating.

Price expectations vary by continent.

On December 6, 2024, the final trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur was signed. This agreement is considered historic due to its magnitude, creating a goods and services market of approximately 800 million consumers and representing a quarter of the global GDP.

In this commentary, we review various issues affecting the swine market: the blackout in Spain, corporate concentration, the evolution of carcass weights, Trump's policy....