Current ZMP market trends
Livestock and Meat
The supply of cattle for slaughter was still limited nationwide in the third week of August, so that the prices paid out by the slaughterhouses remained at least at the level of the previous week. In some cases, the farmers achieved slightly higher prices. According to the first overview, young bulls of the trading class R3 brought in a weekly average of 2,58 euros per kilogram slaughter weight, an increase of 33 cents per kilogram compared to the same week last year. The quotations for cows in the trade class O3 remained at 2,07 euros per kilogram slaughter weight, 43 cents more than a year ago. Demand for beef was subdued on the wholesale markets, and prices hardly changed. Satisfactory sales opportunities were only available for roast beef, fillets and forequarters of "blue" cows. Processed goods were in high demand for trade with neighboring countries, and exports to Russia were normal. - In the coming week, the prices for slaughter cattle should remain stable. - There was sufficient availability of veal in wholesale, prices tended to remain unchanged. There was quiet demand for veal for slaughter, but prices rose slightly on a weekly average with sufficient supply. - On the market for Black and Pied calves, prices developed stable to slightly stronger with a balanced relationship between supply and demand. The prices for Fleckvieh bull calves maintained the level of the previous week.
Sales opportunities for pork remained limited on wholesale meat markets. The purchase prices for pork sides nevertheless rose by one to two cents per kilogram compared to the previous week. On the other hand, it was rarely possible to pass on the price premiums when marketing parts. Shoulders, necks and chops were often sold at unchanged prices, and for ham the sales prices even fell. The supply of slaughter pigs was only just sufficient compared to demand, and prices rose in the second half of the week. In the federal average, pigs in commercial class E brought 1,57 euros per kilogram of slaughter weight, 20 cents more than a year ago. - Stable prices are expected in the coming week with a tight supply of pigs for slaughter. - The supply of piglets was sufficient to meet the slightly increased demand. Prices tended to be stable to firmer.
Eggs and poultry
Weak trends continue to dominate the egg market. Demand is low and there is a surplus in all weight classes, both cage and floor. However, egg prices have hardly changed and the bottom seems to have been reached.
Chicken and turkey meat are in good demand and further increases in sales are expected. The prices for cuts are mostly increasing; The producer prices for chicken meat, on the other hand, have hardly changed.
milk and milkproducts
At the beginning of August, milk deliveries in Germany reached the previous year's level for the first time, after having been below this level since February 2004. A year ago, milk deliveries had fallen more sharply than at the beginning of August this year. Butter is valued unchanged given quiet business. The situation on the cheese market remains stable to firm, and domestic demand is brisk despite the holiday season. Exports are also going well: there are good sales opportunities in Italy, especially for mozzarella. Skimmed milk powder is quietly in demand; For food-quality goods, existing contracts are predominantly processed.
Cereals and feed
The weather-related harvest interruptions are slightly equalizing the grain supply. In northern Germany in particular, there is still a lot left in the works, sometimes with growing quality risks. Declining wheat case numbers are already being measured locally. Farmers are therefore more willing to thresh even when moisture content is over 15 percent. The supply of wheat has recently become less plentiful and there is even excess demand regionally, meaning that there is some room for improvement in prices. In particular, good quality bread wheat lots with delivery dates from September 2004 are valued more firmly. The rye harvest is almost complete. The supply is urgent because farmers hardly want to temporarily store rye on their farms. Feed barley is constantly available. When demand calms down, prices stabilize. The supply of triticale is increasing noticeably, while feed wheat is offered comparatively hesitantly. There are big price differences for both types of grain. The situation on the malting barley market remains tense; the malt houses buy little product. But the chances of a price recovery seem to be improving, as third-country business on the malt market is getting off to a somewhat faster start.
Producer prices for rapeseed appear to be gradually stabilizing; They settled at around 180 to 190 euros per ton free collector. Price-strengthening signals are coming particularly from the futures markets, where rapeseed and soybean prices have recently risen sharply.
Prices for compound feed have fallen, particularly for pig fattening and complete poultry feed. Prices for soybean meal rose slightly amid fluctuating sales activity. Rapeseed meal was in somewhat greater demand again; Although the demands were recently below the previous week's level, they are now increasing slightly.
potatoes
Demand on the potato market continues to be weak in the summer, especially since consumers are increasingly supplying themselves regionally with potatoes from home and allotment gardens and processors have sufficient advance contracts to cover their needs. The supply from agriculture is continually increasing: the market is well supplied with waxy varieties, while floury varieties are sought after. Overall, the price level remains weak.
Source: Bonn [ZmP]
