Finished pig prices still rising

By Peter Crichton

THE latest UK Adjusted Euro-Spec Average is quoted at 106.58p/kg deadweight, up 2.1p on the week.

With many contract buyers prepared to pay a premium of 4-6p on the AESA, most baconers are trading in the 110-112p/kg range.

Spot buyers are struggling to match these contract prices, and many are looking to buy a “one priced pig”, regardless of weight, up to 75kg.

Best spot porkers are quoted at up to 118p/kg, whereas baconers are quoted at no more than 110p/kg.

With pig prices in other EU countries starting to ease now that foot-and-mouth restrictions in Holland have been lifted, meat salesmen feel that the UK price has reached something of a plateau.

Dutch, German, Danish and French pigs are all being traded at less than 100p/kg, and with the Euro worth as little as 61p, imports may soon start to penetrate the UK market.

Dutch pig price futures have dipped again with 2-4 month “long” positions quoted between 87-89p/kg deadweight .

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