Pig prices rise again on lower numbers

Pig prices have risen above 2010 values for the first time this year, driven by tighter supplies.

The poor weather at the end of 2010 affected productivity at a time of seasonal decline, according to AHDB Meat Services. This has boosted the deadweight average pig price (DAPP) by 3.5p/kg over the past fortnight, to 146.5p/kg – 1.5p/kg above the same week last year. Weaner prices have also risen, by £1 over the past two weeks, to average £45.71 a head.

In April, the DAPP rose by 4% to 141.8p/kg. In contrast, the mean retail price fell by almost 1% over the month, boosting the proportion of the retail price received by producers to 39%. “During April retail prices were similar to last year, while producer prices were 1% lower,” says the AHDB report. Last year, producers were receiving more than 40% of the retail price.

The average producer price for bacon increased by 3% between March and April, while retail prices increased by almost 4%. Retail values for sausages fell by 5% and for boneless legs by 4%, with minced pork (4%) and fillet end leg (3%) both rising.