Market report: Further drop for pig prices but pork sales up

Deadweight pig prices have continued their seasonal downward trend, dropping by 1.4p/kg over the past fortnight, to a DAPP of 139.9p/kg dw in the week ended 2 October. That was almost 6% below prices at the same time last year.

The number of pigs in the sample increased by 5.5% on the week, but the average weight remained unchanged at 80.1kg. Weaner prices also continued to ease, with the 30kg average pegged at £44.76 a head in the week to 9 October – about £7 cheaper than a year ago. Slaughterings reached 150,000 in the week ended 25 September – 4% up on the previous week and the corresponding week last year, according to AHDB Meat Services’ latest report.

Household purchases of pork increased by 11% in the month to 5 September, compared with the same time last year. “Pork consumption levels continue to fare better than beef and lamb as pork is seen as good value for money.” However, retail prices fell by 4%, offsetting some of this increase, resulting in a 6% rise in expenditure, to £63m. “At this level household expenditure was £2m higher than in the previous four week period in 2010.”