Weekly pig prices and slaughter data for Great Britain.
The EU-spec SPP bounced back after last week’s surprise fall, gaining 0.97p to reach 205.95p/kg during the week ended May 3.
This was the SPP’s biggest weekly increase since July 2023 and means it stands at its highest point so far this year, having gained 2.7p since the start of March. It is now just 0.33p below where it ended 2024 and less than 5p below where it stood a year ago.
AHDB has confirmed that it is stopping the All-Pig Price (APP). Consultation with the industry on alternative data sources to the APP continues.
The increase in the UK pig price has been partly driven by weeks of rising EU pig prices. While most major European markets stood on last week, there was a huge increase in Denmark, alongside much small rises in the Netherlands and Ireland.
The gap between UK and European pig prices has narrowed dramatically, as the EU reference price (S-grade) gained nearly 16p during April to stand at 180.27p during the week ended April 27. This narrowed the gap to the equivalent UK reference to 27p, compared with 41p at the end of March and more than 50p in early February.
AHDB’s estimated GB slaughterings for the week ended May 3, at 167,182 head, were nearly 12,000 up on the previous week, which included Easter Monday, nearly 11,000 above 2024 levels and 9,000 above the 2023 figure. These figures are subject to revision.
Last week’s price drop was partly attributed to heavier pigs. Average carcase weights dropped back down by by 0.43kg to 90.92kg in the SPP sample in the week ended May 3, 0.44kg ahead of year-earlier levels.
London feed wheat futures were quoted by AHDB on April 30 at £162/t for May, slightly up on last week, and £166/t for July, the same as last week.
You can view all the latest price, slaughter and carcase weight trends HERE