Pig meat price stabilises

SPOT AND contract quotes have remained firm despite falling EU pigmeat prices and a weakening euro, which closed on Friday 29 April at 67.1p.

The GB Euro Deadweight Adjusted Pig Price (DAPP) remained unchanged at 106.17p, with most spot bacon buyers prepared to bid in the 106–110p range according to region and availability.

Cull sow prices have now stabilised after dropping 30% over the past month.

Export abattoirs were quoting for sows in the 60–64p/kg range, with prices varying according to availability and contract specification.

Spot weaner prices are tending easier with the MLC 30kg average quoted at £35.28/head ex-farm.

EU mainland average producer prices are now equivalent to 85p/kg deadweight, almost 20p/kg behind UK quotes after adjustments for carcass weights and bottom line deductions.

Imports of low priced pigs from Belgium, Ireland and France will continue to challenge UK prices as the summer marketing period approaches.

But producers are hoping for better uptake of UK pork and improved consumer recognition of the redesigned Little Red Tractor logo at point of sale.

According to the Meat and Livestock Commission, retailers are continuing to improve their margins at the expense of producer prices. 

Twelve years ago the AAPP (now the DAPP) stood at 97.5p/kg and the average price of pigmeat on the retail market was 288p/kg.

Since then, the DAPP has improved by 6.6%, but retail prices have risen by 11.1%.