Pig prices set to rise

By Peter Crichton

DEMAND for finished pigs for the home market has remained firm and there are signs that the shortage of numbers available will continue to push up finished pig and weaner prices.

The latest GB AESA at 94.83p/kg has yet to catch up with spot quotes for baconers which are now rising above the 1/kg mark with some abattoirs short of supplies and looking for pigs in this category at up to 1.12p/kg.

Weaner quotes are also on the move and traders are reporting that some sellers will soon be looking for 40/30kg pig ex farm.

Weaners averaging 7kg are being marketed between 23 and 25 according to region and quality.

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