A 3% increase in Christmas-week pig slaughterings compared to the same week in 2013 may reduce the impact of the over-supply of pigs that’s normally apparent in the early weeks of a new year, according to BPEX.
Commenting on the week in question, ending December 27, 2014, BPEX reported that the EU-spec GB SPP increased marginally to 143.93p per kg, ending an 11-week downward trend.
Throughput more than halved during the week, settling at 91,200 head, according to AHDB/BPEX estimations, a movement due, of course, to Christmas closures.
“The change in price, however, suggests that some demand remained in the market,” said BPEX, “especially as slaughterings were estimated to be 3% up on the same week last year.
“Carcase weights were lower than in most recent weeks but were higher than the previous week, when some pigs were marketed early ahead of the holidays.
“Going forward, the maintenance of high throughputs over the holiday period may, in part, reduce the impact of the over-supply of pigs normally apparent in the early weeks of the year.”