Pressure on pig prices continued at the end of October. Carcass and piglet prices recorded further declines in the European Union, while Romania remained below the European benchmarks for classes S and E. However, the gap was much narrower for class E, where prices were almost aligned.

The European Commission report, updated on 4 November 2026, puts the weighted average price of class S and E carcasses at EUR 150.9/100 kg carcass weight for week 44, covering 26 October–1 November.

This was 1.9% below the previous week, 5.9% below the level four weeks earlier and 14.4% below the corresponding period in 2025. Compared with the 2021–2025 reference average, the shortfall reached 17.8%.

Romania: two classes, two different gaps to the EU average

The detailed data show the following prices, expressed in EUR/100 kg carcass weight:

Category       Romania       EU average

Class S          145.02           153.33

Class E           146.05           146.25

Based on the published figures rounded to two decimal places, the gap was EUR 8.31/100 kg for class S and just EUR 0.20/100 kg for class E.

Moving closer to the European average does not, however, mean that prices are recovering. Romanian prices fell by 0.6% week on week for class S and by 1.0% for class E. Compared with the corresponding period in 2025, the declines were 20.7% and 20.5%, respectively.

Piglets: an annual decline of more than a quarter

The average European piglet price fell to EUR 37.94/head, down 2.9% from the previous week and 26.3% from the year-earlier reference level.

For pig-finishing farms, lower purchase costs must be assessed alongside the expected revenue when the animals are sold. A reduction in the cost of piglets does not, on its own, demonstrate improved profitability.

International markets continue to move in different directions

The global report compares prices on 26 October with those on 12 October. Over this period, Brazil recorded an increase of 2%, while prices in the US fell by 22% and those in Canada by 2%, according to the published rounded percentages.

Compared with the October 2025 benchmark, all three remained lower: −15% in Brazil, −32% in the US and −19% in Canada.

What to monitor in contracts

For Romanian operators, meaningful comparisons remain those involving the same class, the same unit and equivalent periods. The European average is a weighted benchmark based on reported national prices, rather than a guaranteed transaction price.

The data show that prices can move closer to a European benchmark even in a declining market. Commercial decisions must be supported by the price actually negotiated, farm costs and contractual terms.

(Photo: AI ENHANCED)