The EU-spec DAPP edged up in the week ended May 3, rising to 163.90p/kg, according to figures from BPEX.
With the return to a full working week, this was more in line with the expected seasonal increase, in comparison to the previous week when finished pig prices fell slightly.Â
The annual gap in pig prices has narrowed recently and currently stands at 1.44p/kg, the smallest year-on-year rise since August 2012. The estimated weekly throughputs totalled 158,800 head. This was higher than the previous week, which included Easter Monday, but 3% down on a year earlier.
Carcase weights continued to track well ahead of last year’s level at 80.09kg. This was a little more than a kilo heavier than in the same week in 2013.
Meanwhile, the GB APP for the week ended April 26 increased by 0.68 to 165.67p/kg. This contrasted with the small fall in the DAPP for the same week and meant that the APP was a little more than 2p higher than the DAPP.
The 30kg weaner price averaged £57.81/head in the week to May 3. This was nearly £2.50 higher than the previous week. The sharp rise was reportedly due to more Freedom Food animals being traded.
The 30kg weaner price running about £8/head higher than last year.
The price of 7kg weaners fell a little more than £1 in the week ending May 3 to average £39.80/head.