Sentiment turns against buyers Another reduction in aid for pork exporters agreed at the latest meeting of the EU pig management committee is evidence of official confidence or complacency, according to conflicting assessments by market traders and analysts. Among the traders there has certainly been a change of attitude in the past couple of weeks, sellers within the UK no longer complaining quite so much about prices and those on the continent smirking as they report supply tightening. The latest setback for the euro in the currency markets is an obvious cause for concern among buyers within the UK. Improved competitiveness for continental product in third country markets could take some of the selling pressure out of the trade here. "EU pigmeat exports are doing really well, if anything too well for the long-term future of the domestic market," was the surprising comment to The Grocer from one prominent figure in the UK industry. Also against buyers' interests are a few new statistics suggesting the kill in several major producing countries on the continent will be down more sharply next year than forecasts published by Brussels officials have indicated so far. Yet doubts remain, one example of the scepticism being UK industry analyst John Strak's reaction to reports from elsewhere in the EU: "I don't see how German production can fall as heavily as is being predicted." Further obscuring prospects is the pig management committee's record of misjudging the underlying trend of the market, although at the moment the only visible factor favouring buyers is the expansion of breeding herds in North America. {{MEAT }}

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