SUCCESS IN THE MARKET PLACE WITH EAST-GERMAN PORK

The current situation in the pork market is characterized by continuous low prices and growth of the market share accounted for by foreign competitors and customers in the German market. The reasons for this are manifold and are not related in the first instance to the origin or breed of fattened pigs. The East German pig stock has declined to one third of its 1989 level. This has been due mainly to extremely high peoduction costs as animal performance became increasingly dependent upon the meat properties demanded in the market place, low levels of technology and management, the inadequate feeding and ventilation systems used in piggeries, excessive labour costs, lack of investment and the confused ownership situation. The muscle content of the meat, the decisive revenue factor, had a significant negative impact on the properties and taste of the pork and, therefore, on the stability of the pig stock. East German pig producers have also been unable to avoid the problem of these mutually contradictory properties as the muscle content increased. By the introduction of extreme breeds, careful selection and exploitation of the ositive properties of East German pig stocks, it has been possible to achieve a mean muscle percentage of 55%. Animals producing this meat can hold their own in the market place. The present goal should be to utilize the available reproductive performance by significantly better management.