APS for pigs in EU

THE EU will finance private storage of pigmeat from December 22, to improve the current unfavourable market balance.

EU average pigmeat prices have fallen by 40% since exports were hit by foot-and-mouth in 2001.

Exports have also been hit by Russia’s new meat import controls this year and the strength of the euro. Pigmeat prices fell 16% in the last three months. , while farmers faced higher feed costs after a poor EU cereals crop.