Cull-sow price doubles

By Peter Crichton

CULL-SOW exports are now under way, and export quotes of 50p/kg are being achieved, which has effectively almost doubled the value of all the cull sows in the UK.

Although prices are still 20p/kg behind pre-foot-and-mouth levels, export activity will continue to transform the market, providing there are no further outbreaks.

Retailers and butchers are reporting relatively buoyant sales of pigmeat in the high street, and a premium, up to 110p/kg, has opened up for lighter cutaway pigs.

The recently launched Price Intelligence Group (PIG) has gathered momentum and received an overwhelming response from producers.

The scheme is based on transmitting a recommended base price on the National Pig Association website.

An NPA spokesman said there had been more hits to the Traffic Light PIG site than to any other of their web pages.

Last weeks base price of 100p/kg proved to be an accurate bottom line figure and this weeks 102p/kg is also a realistic level, below which it is unlikely that producers will release stock for sale.

• The Traffic Light PIG site has moved to http://www.winnie-the-pig.co.uk/

• Peter Crichton is a Suffolk-based pig farmer offering independent valuation and consultancy services to the UK pig industry