After several weeks of improving demand and dwindling numbers, prices have paused for breath in much the same way as people of a certain age have to do when they rush up to the bedroom for an exciting liaison.
The SPP rose by a significant 2.8p this week to stand at 126.57p, but still has a lot of ground to make up to match weekly contribution contract prices and the spot market where prices were firm stand-on with spot bacon bids in the 135p region, and some touching 140p, but generally on a tighter spec.
Weekly announced prices also continued to move ahead within a wide range between 125p and 136p.
A slight improvement in the value of sterling against the euro took the shine off cull sow prices, which eased back by a penny in general, but are still much better than they have been in the 74 to 77p bracket.
Contract weaner prices are at last starting to reflect the upward movement in the SPP and spot supplies remain short, with more buyers than sellers, and are generally ahead of the latest AHDB ex-farm averages which are now £42.82/head for 30kg and £31.06/head for 7kg.
Grain prices still remain very much in producers’ favour with November feed wheat quoted on the LIFFE market at £121/t, and off-the-combine prices are expected to be in the region of £115/t delivered once harvest gets underway.
And finally, for those of you who like a day out in the West Country, I have another large outdoor pig equipment dispersal sale tomorrow near Cheddar. For further details and pictures please see the Forthcoming Auctions page of my website.
