Magazine: Pork prices upped considerably

Data from the Central Statistical Office (KSH) indicates that in the first half of 2011 the number of pigs reduced by more than 2 percent (if compared with the same period of 2010) and was below 3.1 million on 1 June. 70 percent of the pig stock is owned by economic organisations and 30 percent belongs to individual farmers.

The Hungarian Meat Industry Federation believes that 2011 will not bring much profit because from the second half of the year live pig prices – both European and domestic – started growing and by the end of the year they reached HUF 400/kg. Processing companies have been buying meat from farmers for 25-30 percent more but they were only able to increased their own prices by 1.5-4 percent when selling meat products to retailers. According to processing companies, sales have been declining on the legal meat market throughout the year. As for export-oriented poultry processing enterprises, 2011 was a good year as the weak forint has been good for exporters. Poultry meat sales soared by 14 percent but from turkey 10 percent less was sold. The Poultry Product Council forecasts an increased demand for products in the next few months, because in this part of the year the European Union exports a significant quantity of pork to China and people start buying more turkey. In Hungary 109 from the 550 laying hen farms were shut down in January 2011 – this fact and more expensive import will result in lastingly elevated prices