After almost 3 months of falling prices, recent cold weather has cut growth rates and reduced pig supplies across many parts of the EU.

As a result GB spot prices held at similar levels for pig supplies week commencing 6th November and the GB Euro Deadweight Adjusted Pig Price has remained virtually unchanged at 108.3p compared with 101.8p 12 months ago.

Most spot traders were prepared to buy baconers in the 106p region and premiums for lighter weights were also available with smaller fresh meat wholesalers offering in the 112 – 115p category, but only for relatively small numbers.

The cull sow market which remains a ready barometer of EU wide pigmeat prices is also tending to hold rather than slide with export buyers bids generally between 75 – 77p/kg.

In the currency markets the rather dismal performance of the € which opened on Monday worth 66.9p is doing little to help the pigmeat import/export balance and a move up towards 70p would be more than welcome.