Pig kill falls again

PIG SLAUGHTER numbers fell by 8.4% in the year ending July 2004, to an average weekly kill of 145,560 head, according to latest Meat and Livestock Commission figures for GB.

Spot prices are also trading at their lowest levels this year in the 92-96p/kg range.

The GB Euro Deadweight Adjusted Pig Price (DAPP) slipped a further 1.23p in the week ending Aug 7, to 104.97p.

As the DAPP includes a significant proportion of cost-of-production related contracts, lower feed prices will continue to edge it downwards as the autumn approaches.

This will come at a time when spot quotes normally recover.

However, cull sow prices have remained firm as UK export abattoirs chase a dwindling supply and EU pig meat prices stay strong.

The Euro has also improved slightly in value, to 66.9p on Mon, Aug 16, which will help to maintain cull sow values and lift the cost of imports.

But the weaner market remains one of the most selective areas of the trade with the MLC 30kg average of £31.63 ex-farm still well below costs of production.