This week’s Slaughter Pig Marketing Summary, from Thames Valley Cambac, reported that demand picked up again and yesterday’s Monday Bank Holiday did not deter trade, with all the majors planning a full working week.
Supplies remained on the tight side with historical production issues affecting numbers coming forward to slaughter. Contract price contributions generally improved with a 2p increase in one weekly contract, and 3p in a monthly contract, giving a flavour of where the market is starting to head. Average weights eased slightly again, but are still running ahead of last year.
The fresh meat market was refreshingly buoyant, with costly imports starting to turn occasional buyers back to home derived product. Prices improved a good penny on average. The cull sow market took a breather, with prices standing on. In Europe, Holland added 2 eurocents, possibly as catch up following the German increase the week before. Other markets were similar but price quotes in sterling were further enhanced by a stronger Euro that ended the week up 0.18p at 86.47p.
The Weaner Marketing Summary, for week commencing April 14, reported that demand improved slightly, due in part to confidence returning to the finished pig market. Supplies of 7kgs weaners steadied, and 30kgs stores remained scarce. The prices announced by the AHDB saw the weighted average for a 30kgs store pig fall 42p to £47.45, and the weighted average for a 7kg weaner fall by 30p to £35.73.
