Although the SPP has continued its downward trip and has fallen by 0.34p to stand at 162.38p, there is a slightly more stable picture emerging from the other side of the water, with the influential German price standing on at 1.47 EUR, which is equivalent to approximately 130p in our money, for the 10th week in succession.
While there is some apprehension over any further falls in pig prices, this time last year the SPP stood at 153.33p, so UK prices are currently 9p better off than they were a year ago.
Most weekly contribution prices are standing on within a fairly wide range of between 149p to 156p.
Spot demand remains fickle with most pigs on contract and those who are unlucky enough not to have a regular home could be looking at prices as low as 150p in places.
The cull sow market continues to disappoint producers with no change to last week’s 3p improvement and as a result, cull sellers are generally looking at prices just on the top side of 50p/kg.
A slightly stronger pound did nothing to help on the pig meat import/export front with the Euro trading today worth 89.1p compared with 89.67p a week ago.
Weaner prices continue on something of a roller coaster ride and although no AHDB 7kg average has been published this week, most pigs in this category depending on their Farm Assurance status are trading between £39 and £43.50 per head. 30kg weaners have been generally changing hands at around the £55 mark for Red Tractor and close to £60 for RSPCA Assured, but buyers are still being fairly canny keeping an eye on feed costs and at the same time looking at forecasts for the pig trade in the run up to Christmas.
UK feed wheat futures are continuing to nudge ahead, with October quoted at £174/t and September next year at £153/t. October feed barley deals have been agreed at around £137/t with September 2021 at similar levels.
Protein values for the shorter months are tending to harden with Hipro soya October-April ’21 quoted at £313/t and May-October ’21 at £300/t.
And finally, some more positive news to report as far as the UK pig market is concerned, with reports issued by the British Meat Processors Association indicating that British meat is becoming consumers’ first choice due to increasing concerns about food safety and sustainability which imported pig meat cannot always match so perhaps a re-emergence of the ‘Buy British’ campaign might do some good?
The BMPA website is now promoting pig meat which emphasises the traceability, local origins and eco-friendliness of home-produced pig meat.
