World Cup boost for pig meat prices

European mainland pigmeat prices are continuing to rise on the back of World Cup fever.

German pigmeat prices are now the dearest in mainland Europe in anticipation of higher consumption levels during the tournament and lower cold store stocks.

And the EU big six Mainland Average now stands at €1.47 (equivalent to 100.7p/kg deadweight) and has risen by almost 10% since the start of the year.

During the 1998 World Cup in France, pigmeat prices rose sharply and EU producers are hoping that this pattern will be repeated in just under a week’s time.

Better weather will also improve barbeque demand for spare ribs and pork chops which feature heavily at most barbeques.

UK prices have also maintained their recent rally with the GB Euro Deadweight Adjusted Pig Price moving up to 101.82p/kg.

Spot bacon quotes have edged up to the 106–108p/kg range with live pig supplies remaining tight.

Providing EU prices remain firm, imports will pose less of a threat to the domestic market than usual this summer.

Recent slight improvements in the value of the euro – which opened on Monday at 68.7p – will also help to put up the price of imports and benefit UK cull sow prices.

Cull sow prices are tending to harden with quotes between 75–79p/kg for supplies in the week commencing 5 June.

Weaner prices continue to hold at similar levels with the Meat and Livestock Commission 30kg ex-farm average remaining static at £34.12/head.

But some finishers are expressing concern over rising feed prices with ex-farm feed wheat quoted at £77/t compared with £63/t one year ago.