Pig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • 2025 Innovation supplement
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • 2025 Buildings supplement
    • February 2025
    • 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • 2024 Pig Health supplement
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • 2024 Innovation supplement
    • 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • 2024 Buildings Supplement
    • March 2024
    • 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • Health Supplement
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
Podcast
Pig WorldPig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    1. July 2025
    2. June 2025
    3. 2025 Innovation supplement
    4. May 2025
    5. April 2025
    6. March 2025
    7. 2025 Buildings supplement
    8. February 2025
    9. 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    10. January 2025
    11. December 2024
    12. November 2024
    13. 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    14. October 2024
    15. September 2024
    16. August 2024
    17. 2024 Pig Health supplement
    18. July 2024
    19. June 2024
    20. 2024 Innovation supplement
    21. 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    22. May 2024
    23. April 2024
    24. 2024 Buildings Supplement
    25. March 2024
    26. 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    27. February 2024
    28. January 2024
    29. December 2023
    30. November 2023
    31. 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    32. October 2023
    33. September 2023
    34. Health Supplement
    Featured

    July 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    July 6, 2025
    Recent

    July 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    July 6, 2025

    June 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    June 4, 2025

    2025 Innovation supplement now available

    June 4, 2025
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Pig World
Comment

Better Days?

Peter CrichtonBy Peter CrichtonFebruary 8, 20193 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Although pig prices are still generally in negative territory, for once it is good to be able to report some positive news on the price front with the influential German producer price moving up by 4 Euro cents after standing still for the last 18 weeks and is now quoted at €1.40 but is still only equivalent to 122.43p in our money.

Unfortunately, the SPP is continuing to slide and dropped another 0.56p this week to 138.15p but perhaps there may be signs of its long running decline from 152.95p last July bottoming out in the weeks ahead?

Weekly contribution prices have generally tended to stand on between 125p – 129p but are still well adrift of the SPP. Spot buyers were slightly more active in the market today although the general comment is that the fresh meat trade remains “fickle” with reports of prices around the 130p mark.

Although the value of the Euro has dropped slightly trading on Friday worth 87.45p compared with 87.78p a week earlier, cull sow prices took a useful upward step and are now on the top side of 60p with rises of around 4p/kg with most sows traded in the 60p-63p range, but still a fair way below their value of 72p a year ago.

Not much to report on the weaner front other than the fact that supplies are starting to reduce and one or two more buyers cautiously dipping their toe into this market hopefully further price recoveries may be on the cards?

The latest AHDB weaner price published a week ago at £43.37/head for 30kg with no quotation this week but 7kg values have perked up to the tune of £2.59/head to £39.29/head.

If further signs emerge of a slackening in the number of weaners coming forwards and we see a partial recovery in finished pig prices this could help to restore finishers confidence which is still fragile to say the least.

Feed ingredient prices are starting to reflect slightly easier trends with London feed wheat quoted at £169.20 for March, £171 for May and those prepared to look at longer months November at £151.50 is slightly more attractive than it has been.

As far as UK protein prices are concerned, 48% Brazilian soya meal continues to ease, dropping another £5/t to £301/t although 34% rape meal ex Kent is a shade firmer at £209/t.

More straws to clutch at in the weeks ahead with lower feed wheat volumes being exported which may help to keep a lid on prices providing there are no weather or currency related shocks along the way.

And finally, as far as the “B” word is concerned and with fears that a No Deal situation could cause havoc the NPA are underlining the fact to Government that we have to avoid an unequal and damaging Brexit tariff regime where UK exporters could have to face EU tariffs in full but Liam Fox’s recently announcement as Trade Secretary that the UK is considering a regime of no or low tariffs on agricultural food imports to try and keep food prices under control (and the electorate on side) could drive a coach and horses through the whole industry and would be the worst of all worlds.

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleUneven Brexit tariff regime would cause untold damage to pig sector – NPA
Next Article Russia readies itself for a breeding stock boom
Peter Crichton

Read Similar Stories

Comment: British pork reimagined: Data-led marketing for a changing consumer

July 9, 2025

Comment: Market recovery, export growth and on-farm innovation

July 7, 2025

Comment: Encouraging signs as big pig issues discussed in parliament

July 4, 2025
Latest News

ABN kicks off pioneering long-term mill project

July 11, 2025

Red Tractor to press ahead with new tiers for outdoor pig producers

July 10, 2025

Last chance to enter or nominate for 2025 National Pig Awards

July 10, 2025
Sponsored Content

THE GATEKEEPER OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH – MYCOPLASMA HYOPNEUMONIAE (M.HYO)

April 30, 2024

Tackle the root cause of PWD with free diagnostic tests

March 1, 2024
Current Pig Industry jobs
  • Senior-Level Pig Stockperson – Ref 1760 Hampshire

    • Hampshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1759 North Yorkshire

    • North Yorkshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1758 Norfolk

    • Norfolk
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
GETTING IN TOUCH
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Meet The Editors
  • About Us
  • Email Newsletters
  • Subscribe
  • Reuse permissions
OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
PARTNER EVENTS
RELATED SITES
  • Farmers Weekly
  • Agronomist & Arable Farmer
  • Farm Contractor
  • National Pig Awards
  • Pigs Tomorrow
  • Poultry News
  • Weekly Tribune
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.