11/07/2002 
Pig feeders are in the red
(ISN db) – Mr Detlef Breuer, managing director of the Interesssengemeinschaft der Schweinehalter Nord-Westdeutschland e. V. (ISN), worries about the extremely tense economical situation of the pig feeders. At present, the pig feeders do have to cope with 11 percent less income than they had last year for their pigs for slaughter. Despite all promises that were made, the food retail traders keep the producers’ prices down in a way that is worse than ever. The profit margin, on the other hand, is as wide as it has been seldom before. Every possibility were taken in order to tighten prices – at the expense of the farmers. The pig fatteners are deeply in the red at the moment.
Out of the income of 130.00 Euros per pig, 50.00 Euros alone must be paid for the feed and another 50.00 Euros for the piglet. The cost to be paid for energy, buildings and others would amount to an additional 50.00 Euros. So one could no longer talk about a payment for the work that is done.
We do demand that the feed industry puts through a clear reduction of the feed prices,said Mr Breuer. This would be absolutely necessary in order to allow the pig feeders to get out of the losses they make.
This year, the concentrate manufacturers will have to pay about 1.50 Euros less per 100 kg of local barley, wheat or rye,said the ISN managing director. This had been the result of an ISN analysis made on the development of producers’ prices for cereals and soybean meal. The feed for fattening pigs consisted of up to 75 percent local cereals and about 25 percent soybean meal. As regards barley, the price would be at approximately 9.50 Euros in North West Germany, which would be 13 percent less than last year. Rye would be similar. Only wheat might be subject to slight price reductions.
Compared to those of the previous year, the prices for soybean meal are by more than 15 percent reduced, said Mr Breuer. The reason for this were the indebtedness of South America as well as the weak dollar.
Out of the income of 130.00 Euros per pig, 50.00 Euros alone must be paid for the feed and another 50.00 Euros for the piglet. The cost to be paid for energy, buildings and others would amount to an additional 50.00 Euros. So one could no longer talk about a payment for the work that is done.
It’s about time that something is done. Otherwise, the farmers and their families will be ruined, said Mr Breuer finally.
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