Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain.
The EU-spec SPP moved up by a noteworthy 0.72p during the week ended April 19 to stand at 205.57p/kg, its biggest increase since the week ended February 22.
This was the price index’s seventh successive weekly rise, during which time it has gained 2.3p to reach its highest point so far this year. It is now 5.5p below the same week in 2024.
AHDB has confirmed that it is stopping the All-Pig Price (APP). Consultation with the industry on alternative data sources to the APP continues.
The UK pig price continues to be supported by some welcome upward movements in European pig prices, although last week saw little change among the big EU pork producers.
Nonetheless, the gap between EU and UK prices continues to narrow dramatically. The EU reference (S-grade) for the week ended April 14 was up by 6p to 177.34, following a slightly bigger rise the previous week. This meant the gap to the equivalent UK price dropped below 29p, compared with a difference in excess of 40p just two weeks previously and the record 50p seen in early February.
AHDB’s estimated GB slaughterings for the shorter Easter week ended April 19, at 156,484 head, was more than 5,000 down on the previous week, but just 1,300 below 2024 levels and nearly 1,000 above the 2023 figure.
As is often the case after the publication of Defra’s monthly UK slaughter figures, AHDB’s recent estimates have been revised – in this case upwards by around 4,000 head per week dating back to early March.
Average carcase weights decreased inched back above 91kg in the SPP sample in the week ended April 19, fractionally below year-earlier levels.
London feed wheat futures were quoted by AHDB on April 23 at £164/t for May, £3 down on last week, and £169/t for July, £5-6 down on last week.
You can view all the latest price, slaughter and carcase weight trends HERE