Factories hold prices as finishers take hit on 2025 returns
Finishers who paid high prices for forward stores last autumn on the expectation of a strong spring factory price are now suffering heavy losses, such is the contrast with the price trend in 2026 compared to a year ago.
It’s a “steady as it goes” pattern of trade continuing at the factories this week, with the general run of prices for the main categories unchanged from recent weeks, while finishers are now taking a hit of €350–€450/head compared to 2025.
Factory agents are reported to be “a little more active” in some regions of the country, while their bosses at the processing plants are maintaining a very tight grip on any upward price movement.
