Christmas calm is gradually setting in on the European pigs-mature-for-slaughter market. With the exception of prices in Italy, the prices for pigs for slaughter remain unchanged. However, at least in Germany, there is no sign of Christmas peace due to the policy of discounted prices of the large slaughterhouses. Altogether, the slaughter belts in Europe were running at full capacity in the run-up to Christmas. Demand showed impulses, but these were not sufficient to raise the prices noticeably in the area due to amply supplied meat markets everywhere.