EU weaner prices have “turned the corner” after falling to a three-year low in October, according to BPEX.
The average EU weaner price for the week ended November 30 was the equivalent of £28.95 a head. While this marked a recovery from October’s three-year low, the price was still around a third of the value reached in May this year. That means most EU piglet producers are currently in a loss-making position.
“The weaner market usually strengthens during this time of the year but the latest price was £7.15 lower compared with the same period in 2013,” said BPEX, adding that the subdued market for finished pigs had undoubtedly influenced the weaner market.
The recent recovery in the EU average price, nevertheless, is due largely to a significant rise in the Spanish weaner price in November, with Dutch and Danish values also increasing during the same four-week period.