September 20, 2013

Over the past two weeks, UK pig prices have reached a new record high, rising by £0.017/kilogramme (US$0.03), to an EU-spec deadweight average price of £1.697/kilogramme (US$2.72).

"Inflated prices across the Continent have influenced producer prices on the UK market," said a report by BPEX. "Consumer demand is also likely to have been higher following the end of the holiday period." Values are now £0.178 (US$0.29) higher than the same time last year, with 108,725 pigs in the sample at an average carcass weight of 79.69 kilogrammes.

Over the past fortnight, weaner prices have also edged up, rising £0.45 (US$0.72) to average £54.15 (US$87) for a 30-kilogramme weaner – the highest price since at least June 2010 and 37% more than the same time last year.

As Continental supplies increased, cull sow values have dropped sharply. The Great Britain auction average lost £0.0355/kilogramme (US$0.06) in the last two weeks to September 17, to a live weight average of £0.7385/kilogramme (US$1.18).

Throughout August, producers received 42% of the retail price for pork – one point less than the previous month but 2% more than last year, said the report. Retail expenditure on pork in the 12 weeks to August 18 dropped 1% compared to last year.