More pigs rolled as COVID disruption continues

Pork production continued to be disrupted by COVID-19 and plant reliability last week, with more pigs rolled, according to Thames Valley Cambac.

The short kills in many plants lead to the excess number being rolled into this trading week.

“Here we were met with reduced allocations again,” TVC said in its latest market update. “Average weights continued to challenge previous records with the latest SPP sample up nearly 1kg at 90.52kgs.

“Many producers are having to adapt to these heavier weights and are adjusting diets accordingly. Demand, whether for retail or export seems steady at best and there are some reports of cheap imports appearing in certain outlets.”

Prices were similar, however, giving the market some welcome relief. The fresh meat market was very steady with little spark anywhere, and cull sows continued where they left off with little change in pricing or volumes.

In Europe, Spain was the only market to move significantly adding 3 eurocents, but prices still languish, with the European average still a paltry 114p. Price quotes in sterling were enhanced slightly by a stronger Euro that ended the week up 0.21p at 87.75p.

Weaner supplies remained on the tight side and the snowy weather hampered some deliveries last week, Demand was still curtailed, however, by the backlog in the slaughter market.

AHDB’s weighted average quote for a 30kg store pig price fell £2.13 to £36.58, and there was no quote for a 7kg weaner.

European Prices (p/kg.dwt) w/c 14/02/21    Movement on last week

Tribune Spot Bacon                139.93             – 0.26

European Av.                           114.21             + 0.69

Belgium                                  85.47               + 0.21

Denmark                                 112.10             + 0.27

France                                    126.47             + 0.31

Germany                                 104.43             + 0.26

Ireland                                     137.07             + 0.34

Holland                                    103.90            + 0.34

Spain                                       130.05             + 3.07

(Ref Weekly Tribune)