Pig prices rise on good weather

Pig prices reached another new high in the week to 13 July, rising by 0.3p to an EU-spec deadweight average of 168.8p/kg – 18.3p up on the year.


“Favourable weather partly held up prices; although barbecue demand has not been especially strong, tight supplies were a more important factor,” said a report by EBLEX.


UK clean pig slaughterings in the latest sample totalled 108,479 head – 6,447 more than the previous week. Carcass weights recovered by 160g from the previous week, to average 79.03kg.


Weaner prices had risen continuously since the start of February, but eased by 34p in the week to 20 July, to average ÂŁ53.54 for a 30kg beast, said the report.


However, that was still more than ÂŁ7 higher than in early February this year, over which time EU prices had been slipping. “The market continues to reflect strong producer confidence and a strengthening finished pig market.”


Cull sow values at auction jumped by ÂŁ2.28 in the week to 16 July, to a GB average of ÂŁ69.21 a head liveweight. “Recovery was due to improving markets across the EU and a fall in UK supplies.”

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