UK pig prices ease up

UK PIG PRICES are easing despite better returns across Europe, where values may soon achieve parity with the domestic market.

Average prices in the six main EU production countries are equivalent to 95p/kg compared with just 82p in mid-May.

This surge will lift the cost of imports and should halt a slide in GB spot values, which have lost between 4p and 8p/kg over the past six weeks.

The GB Euro Deadweight Average Pig Price (DAPP) published on Weds, June 3, eased by 0.53p to stand at 108.96p/kg. Spot prices also drifted lower.

The DAPP is now ahead of the spot market due to the higher proportion of cost-of-production contracts included within the sample.

Cull sow quotes continue to track rising EU mainland values, increasing by a further 2-4p for deliveries this week (commencing June 14), to 67-70p/kg.

Hopes of firmer finished pig prices in the early Autumn are also expected to filter through to the weaner market shortly.

The Meat and Livestock Commission 30kg average has stabilised at £34.50/head ex-farm but further improvement is needed to cover costs of production.