Christmas demand props up pig price

Pig prices continue to gradually improve, rising by 0.3p/kg in the week to 10 December, to a Deadweight Average Pig Price of 147.84p/kg.

“The DAPP averaged 147.41p/kg during November, over 1% higher than October and almost 8% higher than in November 2010,” said a report by AHDB Meat Services. “The price increase has come despite supplies remaining relatively high. Firm demand in anticipation of a positive Christmas market, strong export demand, and relatively high EU prices have all played a part in driving prices higher.”

With feed costs falling, average weaner prices had also improved gradually in recent months, ending the week to 17 December at £44.03, almost 50p up on the week and about 4% higher than the same time last year.

“GB clean pig slaughterings were estimated at 176,000 head in the week ended 3 December, 10% higher than a year earlier. Estimates for November indicate that 6% more clean pigs were slaughtered in GB than in the corresponding period last year.”

Retail pork prices also increased in November, by almost 1% on the month, meaning producers received almost 40% of the final retail price – up from 37% last year.

market report