Piglet prices dip slightly in Poland as producers sell below cost
On 30 October, prices of both domestic and imported piglets edged lower on the Polish market. Prices remain below production costs.
The Polish pig farming market has seen a slight decline in piglet prices in recent days, covering both domestically raised and imported animals, according to the agricultural portal Farmer.pl. Prices remain below production costs, so piglet breeders are operating at a loss.
Prices in Poland
According to the portal's survey of breeders on 30 October, domestic piglets weighing 30 kg cost 190–270 zlotys each. The average price is 230 zlotys, about 5 zlotys less than a week earlier.
Sellers ask 200–210 zlotys for a 20 kg piglet, averaging 202 zlotys. That is roughly 3 zlotys lower than a week ago.
Imported animals
The average price of imported piglets in the survey was about 180 zlotys each, around 4 zlotys less than a week before. Depending on the importer and the animals' health status, prices range from 150 to 200 zlotys.
Danish price list and costs
The market shift was signalled by the price list of Danish SPF (the specific pathogen-free pig breeding system), published a day earlier. It cut prices for some health statuses by 10 Danish kroner, about 6 zlotys.
Polish producers say sales are proceeding without major blockages, which is the only positive aspect. However, raising a single animal rarely costs them less than 250 zlotys, while the average selling price is several dozen zlotys lower. Breeders hope that by the time the animals are fattened, the market will improve enough to bring them some profit.
