Pig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    • September 2025
    • August 2025
    • 2025 Maximising Pig Health supplement
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • 2025 Innovation supplement
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • 2025 Buildings supplement
    • February 2025
    • 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • 2024 Pig Health supplement
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • 2024 Innovation supplement
    • 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • 2024 Buildings Supplement
    • March 2024
    • 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • Health Supplement
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
Podcast
Pig WorldPig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    1. September 2025
    2. August 2025
    3. 2025 Maximising Pig Health supplement
    4. July 2025
    5. June 2025
    6. 2025 Innovation supplement
    7. May 2025
    8. April 2025
    9. March 2025
    10. 2025 Buildings supplement
    11. February 2025
    12. 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    13. January 2025
    14. December 2024
    15. November 2024
    16. 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    17. October 2024
    18. September 2024
    19. August 2024
    20. 2024 Pig Health supplement
    21. July 2024
    22. June 2024
    23. 2024 Innovation supplement
    24. 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    25. May 2024
    26. April 2024
    27. 2024 Buildings Supplement
    28. March 2024
    29. 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    30. February 2024
    31. January 2024
    32. December 2023
    33. November 2023
    34. 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    35. October 2023
    36. September 2023
    37. Health Supplement
    Featured

    September 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    September 1, 2025
    Recent

    September 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    September 1, 2025

    August 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    August 1, 2025

    2025 Maximising Pig Health supplement now available

    August 1, 2025
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Pig World
Comment

Win, lose or draw

Simon KingBy Simon KingJanuary 11, 20193 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Unfortunately, UK pig prices are continuing on their downward track with the SPP easing by another .58p and dropping to 140.02p which is its lowest point since September 2016. The German producer price has however remained at the same level since 10th October of €1.36 (122.7p) and although some comfort can be gained from hearing that EU mainland prices are holding steady, they are still far too low for us to compete with.

Weekly contribution prices have generally stayed at similar levels with most in a fairly wide (and disappointing) range from 127.5p to 133p which is still well out of step with the SPP at over 140p.

The spot market continues to suffer from lack of demand rather than too many pigs with legs particularly hard to sell and very little available spot space other than at eye wateringly low prices, with reports of one-off spot trades around the 130p mark but regular sellers were generally able to earn 4p-6p above this.

Cull sow prices remain at bargain basement levels (if you are buyer) with most export quotes standing on in the 56p – 60p range despite a modest rise in the value of the Euro which traded on Friday worth 90.24p compared with 90p the previous week, but for those producers forced to cut back or clear their herds, cull returns of around £80 per sow will do little to make a significant impression on their overdrafts.

The latest AHDB weaner averages rose on the week with the 30kg average up £2.80/head to £47.34 and the 7kg average up .45p/head to £36.07.

However, the weaner market still remains very much a case of “no-mans’ land” as far as Red Tractor spot weaners are concerned with very few buyers looking for pigs and as a result discounts in this sector of £4-£6 below AHDB averages have applied.

Grain prices rallied slightly last week with spot wheat ex farm averages around the £172 mark, up by £2 on the week and futures prices have remained firm with London feed wheat quoted at £172.80 for January and £177.75 for March. Proteins are also nudging dearer with UK 48% soya rising by £3/t to £320/t and 34% rape meal around the £210/t mark.

And finally. Farmers’ buttocks will be tightly clenched as D-Day (defeat) looms on the Parliamentary vote this Wednesday where MPs are giving a final vote on the EU Withdrawal Agreement and we may well soon know who the winners and losers are.

Fears remain however of the effect on the pig industry a “no deal” situation might create with potential tariffs on our pig meat and other exports and the possibility of cheaper tariff free imports which would help our Government (whoever they may be) to keep down inflation and provide a “cheap food” bonus to the electorate.

In the meantime, NPA members have been contacting their MPs to remind them of the potentially disastrous effect that a “no deal” result could have on the industry as a whole and all we can do to is to hope that common sense prevails and the Withdrawal Agreement proceeds rather than the UK being served with a red card!

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleFarmers urged to prepare for digital VAT switch
Next Article Poor demand tempers trade
Simon King

Read Similar Stories

Vet View: Managing heat stress in pigs

August 6, 2025

Comment: Was the move indoors the right decision for us?

August 4, 2025

Comment: British pork reimagined: Data-led marketing for a changing consumer

July 9, 2025
Latest News

Cranswick ‘disappointed’ after Environment Agency rejects permit for proposed Norfolk development

September 4, 2025

Nearly 50,000 pigs culled after African swine fever outbreaks in Latvia and Estonia

September 4, 2025

Scotland’s PRRS project to receive further government funding

September 4, 2025
Sponsored Content

Enhancing Weaned Pig Health and Performance with Zinc and Iron

August 1, 2025

THE GATEKEEPER OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH – MYCOPLASMA HYOPNEUMONIAE (M.HYO)

April 30, 2024
Current Pig Industry jobs
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1774 Aberdeenshire

    • Aberdeenshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1773 Aberdeenshire

    • Aberdeenshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Senior Pig Stockperson – Ref 1772 Aberdeenshire

    • Aberdeenshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
GETTING IN TOUCH
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Meet The Editors
  • About Us
  • Email Newsletters
  • Subscribe
  • Reuse permissions
OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
PARTNER EVENTS
RELATED SITES
  • Farmers Weekly
  • Agronomist & Arable Farmer
  • Farm Contractor
  • National Pig Awards
  • Pigs Tomorrow
  • Poultry News
  • Weekly Tribune
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.