Pork prices fall in France

Since September 10, pork prices in France have been decreasing weekly, with farmers expressing concerns about the sector's economic stability. The drop is attributed to rising production costs and shrinking profit margins.

Breton pork price decline

The price of Breton pork at Plérin has dropped by nearly 6 cents per week, reaching 1.552 €/kg on October 26. This marks a 35.1 cent decrease since September 14, or an 18.4% drop overall.

Rising costs strain producers

Animal feed now accounts for nearly 70% of a pig's production cost, driven by higher raw material prices. This has further reduced the already narrow margins for pork producers.

Retailers impact producer income

Carole Joliff, president of the regional pork committee in Bretagne, notes that large retailers' purchasing centers are keeping consumer prices low, which in turn reduces the income of farmers. She says if French consumers bought more locally produced pork, prices for producers might not be falling so sharply.

Limited export opportunities

French pork exports remain limited, with most focusing on offal, a significant portion of which goes to Asian markets. However, imports of processed meats from the EU, Germany, and Italy have increased since 2022, affecting domestic prices.

Disease impacts trade

The ongoing effects of African swine fever are influencing pork trade across Europe. According to Carole Joliff, the pork trade is expected to remain within Europe for several more years due to these ongoing challenges.