Pork prices in France reach a “new record” in April

Pork prices have been going from record to record for several months. Indeed, there are fewer and fewer of them in France and their food is more expensive, the statistical service of the French Ministry of Agriculture (Agreste) said on Wednesday. The average price of pork rose in April to 2.52 euros per kilo of carcass at the entrance to the slaughterhouse, “an unprecedented level”, specifies Agreste in a note on the situation. “It is up 35.4% over one year and 54.7% compared to the 2018/2022 average”, continues the service. Pork prices, which were 1.43 euros per kilo of carcass in January 2022, have been climbing almost continuously for a year and a half, with the exception of a dip last fall. "The fall in the European pork supply and the increase in production costs are the main causes of this surge in prices", underlines Agreste in another note also published on Wednesday. “As a consequence of the contraction of the French sow herd”, slaughterings fell further in April (-4.9% over one year).

In twenty years, France has seen a 36% drop in the number of sows reared on its soil to produce the pigs that will be transformed into ham, sausages and rillettes. Mechanically, the total pig herd has also decreased, but to a lesser extent (-21% since 2002), since each sow gives birth to more piglets thanks to genetic selection. The reduction in herds accelerated in 2022 under the effect of soaring production costs, particularly cereals. At the same time, pigmeat consumption is stable or even increasing, which translates into higher prices and imports.

France is the third largest pork producer in Europe, behind Spain and Germany. It exports cuts little consumed by the French (breasts, offal, etc.) but imports hams to make ham and is also fond of Italian and Spanish charcuterie.