Pig price rally runs out of steam

By Peter Crichton

THE recovery in pig prices has started to run out of steam, and more producers are being forced out of business.

Foreign imports fed on cheap protein in the form of meat and bonemeal – is illegal in the UK – will add to downward pressure on prices.

Although the UK AESA marked up a further modest rise to stand at 78.59p/kg for the week ending 13 March, spot returns are slipping.

Meat traders blame poor promotion on the home market and ample supplies of cheap manufacturing pigmeat throughout the EU.

Current spot quotes for baconers are now in the 75-80p/kg range and, with two short Easter weeks ahead, immediate trade prospects do not look good, despite slaughter numbers falling to 297,000/week in February, compared with 308,000 a week earlier.