This week’s Slaughter Pig Marketing Summary, from Thames Valley Cambac, said the heatwave problems for pigs and factories alike. There were many stories of ingenious ways some farmers had managed to rig up cooling sprays and fans to keep their pigs comfortable.
However, the factories were a different matter. Two majors had curtailed or no kill on Friday as the hot weather caused issues with fridge temperatures. This caused many loads already on the road to be redirected to off site lairage, and the subsequent rescheduling into this trading week. There should be provision made for all abattoirs to have a lairage that can hold at least half a days kill so issues like this would not be as serious.
Prices were similar, with all the majors standing on with their contract contributions, and supply improved again. Fresh meat trade was steady with the holiday season dampening demand. Cull sows prices were stand on. Some welcome stability returned to European markets, with improvements seen in Belgian and French prices. The Euro was little changed and ended the week at 89.63p.
The Weaner Marketing Summary, for week commencing July 21, reported that demand continued to struggle, with some fatteners reluctant to bid for any batches outside contract commitments. Supplies continued to improve, with 7kgs especially plentiful.
The prices announced by the AHDB saw no quote given for a 30kg store pig, and the weighted average for a 7kg weaner rise by 99p to £39.03p.