Pig prices plumb new record lows

By Peter Crichton

HARD-PRESSED pig producers are heading for an even rougher ride as the spot market plunges and contract-based prices remain in freefall.

The latest Adjusted Euro-Spec Average (AESA) price for the UK is now barely hanging on at 70p/kg deadweight.

Although this is still well ahead of the current bacon spot-market price of 47-50p, many within the industry fear the AESA could fall as low as 60p within the next few weeks.

Abattoir sources this week said they were already expecting to buy at 3-5p/kg less than this next week. This puts the average baconer at a net value of around £30 per head, the same price as a 30kg weaner 3 months ago.

The talk in the trade is that there are rumours of contract pig numbers being “rolled back” in the run-up to the August Holiday. That could add further numbers to an already weakened spot market and producers will then face a very difficult marketing period at the end of the month.

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