Factory reliability continues to hamper efforts to address backlog – TVC

Factory reliability continued to try the patience of producers and hauliers alike last week, as numerous issues caused much downtime.

Some of this was clawed back through Saturday kills, but the upshot was lost production, according to Thames Valley Cambac.

“The Defra summit on Thursday saw encouraging talks of supply chain fairness, and this will be most welcome, but it did not announce any short-term relief to the issues we are having to deal with on farm,” TVC said in its latest market update.

Average weights continue to be running at record levels, and farm infrastructure is being severely tested. Financial pressures are increasingly coming to the fore, with many producers concerned about funding future feed deliveries.”:

The market showed little sign of improvement, with demand being described as ‘fickle’, while the cull sow market continued to be limited but prices stood on.

Some prices in Europe have improved, including Spain (+3.9c) and France (+2.4c), possibly the first encouraging signs that European markets have turned the corner. Price quotes in sterling were compromised by a weaker Euro that ended the week down 0.65p at 83.96p.

The weaner market remains badly compromised by the slaughter backlog, as unit turn-rounds are delayed and the ensuing backup on breeding farms are causing some major headaches.

There was insufficient data AHDB to calculate any weaner or store pig prices.

European Prices (p/kg.dwt) w/c 13/02/22   Movement on last week

SPP                                          137.86             – 0.01

Tribune Spot Bacon                137.62             – 0.48

European Av.                          104.02             – 0.47

Belgium                                   81.76               – 0.63

Denmark                                 89.16               – 0.59

France                                     127.87             + 1.07

Germany                                 100.75             – 0.76

Ireland                                     119.22             – 0.90

Holland                                  90.59               – 0.69

Spain                                       118.88             + 2.40

(Ref Weekly Tribune)