Pig price stabilises

UK PIG prices have remained stable for supplies in the week commencing May 23.

EU mainland producer pig prices are equivalent to 92p/kg deadweight and have stabilised after rises over the past three weeks.

With the GB Euro Deadweight Adjusted Pig Price (DAPP) recovering lost ground to stand at 106p this week spot prices have also tended firmer with bacon traded in the 109–112p range.

Medium weight cutters are worth between 112–116p/kg and light pork weights are nudging up towards the 120p/kg mark.

Cull sow prices are also maintaining a steady recovery after their early April slump, with exporters bidding in the 66–69p range and supplies remaining on the short side.

An improvement in the value of the euro, which opened on Mon, May 23, at 68.7p, would help to give cull sow exporters a slight edge in this competitive market, at the same time lifting the cost of imports entering the UK.

Weaner values remain high in relation to finished pig returns with the MLC 30kg average quoted at £35.33/head ex farm.

Relatively low feed wheat prices which closed last week at circa £63/t are also an encouraging sign for pig breeders and finishers, especially when compared with equivalent prices of over £80/t a year ago.