Pig shortage worries processors

By Peter Crichton

THREE “short” weeks around Easter and May Day have helped to mask the overall shortage of live UK pigs.

However, Malton Bacon factory sources are reported as being “very concerned” over pig supplies in the months ahead.

With the weekly kill dropping below 240,000 head, there will be more overcapacity in the Industry, which could lead to further abattoir closures and rationalisation.

This weeks AAPP has improved to average almost 94p/kg, a level it last hit Week 17 of 1998.

Spot quotes this weekend have mainly been at “stand on”, which values the average baconer at around 97p/kg.

Live market prices have slipped at little to average close to 73p/kg liveweight and are not expected to rally until the Easter and May Day holiday periods are over.

Due to the overall shortage of store plgs in the system, weaner prices are continuing to improve in spite of widespread outbreaks of PDNS and PMWS in East Anglia.

The Farmers Weekly average price for 30kg plgs continues to improve and now stands at 33.19 ex-farm.

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