Dutch import rise shows dire effect of Pound

By Peter Crichton

THE drop by 15% in the value of the Euro since its launch has done nothing to help the UK producer and is starkly illustrated by the rise in Dutch imports to the UK.

These have now soared to over 3000 tonnes per week. Latest reports indicate that over 20% of all Dutch pigmeat ends up in the UK.

To the fury of the British Pig Industry Support Group little of it matches British welfare and food safety standards.

On the UK market this week spot baconer quotes today (Friday) have risen to between 75-80p/kg, reflecting a slight shortage of spare non-contract pigs whereas the UK AESA slipped another 0.34p to stand at just 74.76p for the week ending 4 December.

Weaner prices have also stabilised as numbers decline and the Farmers Weekly 30kg ex-farm average is now holding at £18.28, compared with £17.06 in 1998.

For those producers hit by massive end of year valuation losses last December the picture is far better this time round with sow values at similar levels, weaners firmer and the UK AESA up by 6p/kg worth about £4/pig.

The dropping of the 65p/pig promotional levy will also help to a small extent as far as cash flows are concerned.

However, the UK market will continue to be dominated by the strength of the Pound and EU numbers.

• Peter Crichton is a Suffolk-based pig farmer offering independent valuation and consultancy services to the UK pig industry