Factory issues cause pigs to be rolled again

More problems at factories last week caused pigs to be again rolled over into the following week, according to Thames Valley Cambac.

In its latest weekly update, TVC said: “Unreliable factories continued to feature highly in a fairly turbulent week, with major breakdowns at more than one site.

“The upshot was a continuation of the rolling of pigs into this trading week. However, most of the majors planned for a full processing week, along with some possibility of Saturday kills. There is a definite undercurrent of decent demand, but it is hamstrung by inefficient factories.”

There was some good news in Northern Ireland, however, with Cranswick’s Ballymena plant reopening after a 14 day shutdown due to a Covid outbreak.

TVC reported that supply improved slightly, helped by good recent growth rates, while all contract price contributions stood on, although, again, the SPP eased back 0.34p to 162.38p.

The fresh meat market was steady with many outlets reporting a quieter week, but prices were generally unchanged.

The cull sow market stood on with numbers tighter than recently. In Europe, France and Holland added 1.8 eurocents, and the rest of the quoted countries stood on.

Quotes in sterling were compromised however by a weaker Euro that ended the week down 0.15p at 89.32p.

Weaner demand was steady with little interest from fatteners for any supplies outside regular contracted movements. There were also concerns about straw availability due to the poor harvest.

AHDB prices for a 30kg store pig were quoted at £53.06, but there was no quote for a 7kg weaner.

European Prices (p/kg.dwt) w/c 06/09/20   Movement on last week European

Av.                                          133.68             + 0.25

Belgium                                   112.52             – 0.17

Denmark                                 129.66             – 0.14

France                                     146.94             + 1.36

Germany                                 131.31             – 0.21

Ireland                                     145.38             – 0.23

Holland                                  119.16             + 1.42

Spain                                       150.78             – 0.24

(Ref Weekly Tribune)