Pig hopes dashed as EU prices fall

By Peter Crichton

LOW European prices have hit hopes for a significant revival in cull sow prices following the 22 October re-opening of the export market.

EU cull sows have dropped to 50p/kg and below in some countries, which means that the much-quoted 60p/kg export price has sadly proved to be unattainable.

Spanish and French pig prices have slipped to between 74p and 79p/kg, and even the normally high German market has dropped to below 1/kg.

For those producers able to find space at export abattoirs 50p/kg is the best price achievable for next week.

With waiting lists getting longer by the day this could be lowered significantly in the weeks ahead.

UK pig prices are now on a par or ahead of those in Europe, and group traders are advising producers that the home market may provide a better return for finished pigs in the run up to Christmas.

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