AHDB Pork’s weekly pig prices, slaughter data and commentary for Great Britain.
The EU-spec SPP for the week ended April 20 reached 138.67p/kg, a small increase (0.36p) on the previous week. Since the start of March, the SPP has risen by 1.24p.
There remain signs of an imminent uplift in demand, with a sharp rise in EU prices making this product less competitive on the UK market. Demand from China is also reportedly strong. However, the SPP remains 6.60p below year earlier levels at the moment.
High storage levels and throughputs in previous weeks, following difficulties with factory breakdowns, have contributed to the sluggish uplift in the SPP recently. A short kill week in the latest period, due to the Easter break, may have also had a negative impact on demand. Estimated throughput reached 166,900 head, 5% lower than both the previous week and year earlier levels.
Although, this was noticeably higher than the Good Friday week in 2018, where slaughter only totalled 150,700 head. Average carcase weights in the same week also declined by 180g compared to the previous week, at 84.58kg. This was the lowest weight since December but remained over 800g up on year earlier levels.
The EU-spec APP for the week ended April 13 was 143.27p/kg, also a small rise (0.63p) on the week earlier. This was similar to the increase in the SPP the same week, so the gap remained almost the same at 4.96p.
There was no 30kg weaner price in the week ended April 20, due to insufficient throughput to provide a statistically robust price again. The 7kg weaner price edged down 46p to £35.27/head. There has been very little movement in the 7kg weaner price so far this year. The annual decline therefore stood at £1.71.
To see the weekly price graphs, click here
