Weekly pig prices hold
The rate of recent decline in pig prices levelled out on Friday (23 September) when most spot bidders were prepared to hold their quotes at similar levels to the previous week, which saw spot bacon traded within the 140-144p/kg range.
Contract prices saw further slight falls with the GB Euro Deadweight Adjusted Pig Price losing 0.36p to stand at 145.63p/kg, although with the exception of Cranswick, which dropped a penny, weekly shout prices issued by Tulip, Vion, Woodheads and Gills all remained as follows:
Company | Price (p/kg) |
Woodheads | 145 |
Tulip | 143 |
Cranswick | 141 |
Vion | 141 |
Gills | 141 |
Despite the recent turmoil in European financial markets, the euro ended last week on a relatively firm note, trading at 87.4p compared with 86.2p a week earlier.
As a result, UK cull sow exporters were prepared to hold and in some cases increase their prices with sows traded within the 106-111p/kg range, according to load size and specification.
Weaner prices remain under pressure with the Agricultural and Horticulture Development Board 30kg ex-farm weaner average continuing to lose ground closing at £40.42 a head.
Recent reports of lower cereal prices may help to put a little stability back into the weaner market which has not been helped by extra numbers in the system; the latest UK June Census showed a rise of 2.4% in the number of UK breeding sows compared with sharp falls in many of the European mainland herds.