The double Bank holiday and associated disruption did little to improve the market, according to Thames Valley Cambac.
“Indeed, pricing momentum has faltered, with many processors complaining of poor demand,” TVC said in its latest weekly market update.
“This is hard to believe when most of the country has been in party mood, with barbecues featuring heavily in celebrations. One factor could be the relatively weak European market, and cheap imports undercutting our sales. This just makes our pricing negotiations more difficult.”
TVC described the reports that ASF continues to spread with the latest outbreak on a German outdoor pig unit close to the French border, as ‘worrying’, with the UK’s ‘lax or non-existent border checks leaving our industry dangerously exposed’.
The European malaise was reflected in the UK’s sow price which fell 8p, apparently due to full continental cold stores, a scenario that might take some time to resolve.
The weaner market remained limited to regular movements, with little to no interest outside these arrangements. Increasing feed costs are dampening any desire and fatteners are more likely to leave sheds empty at the moment, TVC said.
There was insufficient data for AHDB to formulate any prices.
UK/European Prices (p/kg) w/c 03/04/22 Movement on last week
GB SPP 176.73 + 0.78
Tribune Spot Bacon 187.51 + 1.10
European Av. 151.71 + 1.57
Belgium 141.97 + 4.22
Denmark 127.45 + 0.82
France 174.09 + 1.12
Germany 153.76 + 0.98
Ireland 155.46 + 0.99
Holland 136.33 + 0.87
Spain 173.06 + 2.21
(Ref Weekly Tribune)