This week’s Slaughter Pig Marketing Summary, from Thames Valley Cambac, reported that a change in the month brought further signs of optimism, with most of the majors trying to process as many pigs as possible.
The summary highlighted that the driver could be the Chinese New Year at the end of January, and the fact that export consignments currently take around six weeks shipping to arrive in China.
Supplies tightened, with average weights noticeably lower in some cases. Prices improved again, with one monthly contribution up 6p. This and other increases in prices means that the next SPP announcement is now pregnant with a good rise.
The fresh meat market was a touch quieter with end of the month buying habits affecting high street footfall. The star of the week was cull sows, which reacted to much stronger continental markets – most prices were up 6p.
In Europe, both Belgium and Holland recorded 6.5 euro cent rises, and Germany was five euro cents stronger on the back of much better demand. Price quotes in sterling were compromised however, by a weaker Euro that ended the week down 0.76p at 85.22p.
The Weaner Marketing Summary, for week commencing November 24, reported that demand remained steady, and any supplies that were outside contract arrangements had to be discounted to attract a bid. The prices announced by the AHDB saw no quote given for a 30kg store pig, and the weighted average for a 7kg weaner rise by £1.20 to £42.06p.
