Market conditions across the EU pork sector continue to deteriorate, according to a DCA Market Intelligence report.

"Demand remains weak, additional price cuts have materialised in Germany, and the absence of meaningful export demand continues to put pressure on the European market," the report said.

Bord Bia also reported that pig prices were coming under downward pressure across Europe in the week ending October 17.

"The EU average price for Grade E carcasses decreased to 1.51/kg and is €0.24/kg below the corresponding week in 2025 (€1.75/kg).

"Many EU member state’s prices experienced decreases, with Germany and Austria’s price falling by €0.04/kg and €0.03/kg respectively."

Exports

In addition, exports of pigmeat decreased by €1.1 billion (-13%) during the first eight months of 2026, mostly due to lower prices and falling export volumes to China, Japan, the Philippines and the UK, according to the DCA report.

In addition, China’s anti-dumping tariffs, rising domestic output, and Brazilian competition in Asia were reportedly unlikely to offset early-2026 export growth to Korea and Vietnam, despite market pressures.

"Consumption is forecast to slightly increase (+0.4%) supported by lower prices, more availability on the EU market and with some price-sensitive consumers expected to trade down."

Agriland previously reported that African swine fever also remained a significant risk to pig production and trade.

According to European Commission data, the EU is the world's second largest producer of pork "after China and the biggest exporter of pork and pork products".

The main producer countries in the EU are Germany, Spain and France, representing about 50% of total production.

"The EU exports about 13% of its total production to East Asia, in particular China," the commission said.

Irish pork market

According to Bord Bia, the average reported deadweight price paid for Grade E pigs in Ireland for the week ending October 17, was €1.67/kg.

"Prices are static and have fluctuated by €0.01/kg in the past three months, [while] producer prices have returned to the range of €1.68/kg-€1.72/kg across processors this week".

The current prices are 10% lower than the corresponding week in 2025, when prices averaged €1.86/kg.

However, according to Bord Bia, slaughter activity remains robust.

"Combined throughputs for the first 42 weeks of 2026 are just over 2,800,000 head, which is 113,000 head higher than the same period in 2025.

"For the week ending October 17, total slaughterings amounted to 58,474 head, including 1,698 sows and five boars.

Bord Bia said that overall, "there has been a 4 % increase in fattener pig throughput compared with the same period last year, signalling strong supply despite softer price trends".