Sausage: pork prices are already going down, but they won’t be cheaper in stores – a significant correction may come in the spring at the earliest

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 12. 26. 14:34

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Despite the downward trend in pork prices, the consumer price of sausages is not expected to decrease significantly by the end of 2025: the current store offering was typically made from earlier, more expensive ingredients, while production costs (wage pressure, labor shortage, packaging costs) remained high. According to experts’ expectations, a more significant price reduction may appear in trade in the spring of 2026, around April-May at the earliest, writes Pénzcentrum.

The market logic is simple: the meat industry does not immediately reprice after a global market or producer turnaround. The manufacturers’ inventories and purchasing cycles “slip through” the effect, and moreover, the cost price of sausages is not only driven by pork. The costs of processing, logistics, energy, marketing and packaging materials (including items related to EPR) significantly affect transfer prices, so a decrease in pork prices alone does not guarantee a decrease in store prices.

According to KSH data, the average consumer price of “sausage (pork or poultry)” was around HUF 3,120/kg in November 2025, which indicates a moderate increase on an annual basis, but a lower level compared to the peak in 2023.

What can be seen on the shelves at the end of the year peak?

The focus at large chains is more on sales It appears in intensity, packaging and brand mix, not in a general change in price level: discount stores typically run strong private label and mid-range promotions, while hypermarkets/supermarkets also expand their range with premium (e.g. crispy, lamb-infused, stuffed) products. New Year’s Eve demand traditionally spikes, and pork-based products also increase in value for cultural reasons – this seasonal demand pressure does not help with rapid price reductions either.