Underlying Shortage of Pigs Keeps Prices Firm
UK - Despite the upcoming short week, evidence of a significant undersupply of live pigs remains and as a result most quotations were at stand-on levels rather than dropping as some buyers were threatening earlier in the week, writes Peter Crichton.
The DAPP meanwhile continues to power ahead and now stands at another new high of 151.93p. Other than a few wobbles in early January, almost every week since then the DAPP has risen and this trend could continue once the effects of the short week are out of the way.
Spot bacon demand proved to be quite variable according to region and specification with quotes of anywhere between 150p and 156p, although in net terms in some cases the highest is the lowest and vice versa.
It was also interesting to see some of the fresh meat wholesalers more active in the market with hopes that there might be some barbecue demand when/if the weather improves.
The cull sow market has however been less buoyant with quotes down by between 4–6p according to specification and load size with opening bids of between 106–110p and more available from some outlets as the day wore on.
One reason for weakening cull values is that the euro has been in slight retreat and during the week traded at circa 87.5p closing on Friday worth around 88p, but still down from seven days ago.
Weaner buyers are also keeping a canny eye on the calendar reflecting that today’s weaner is a mid-August finisher and as a result some of the very high prices heard a few weeks ago were no longer available, but the AHDB 30kg ex-farm average continues to creep up and now stands at £55.81/head with the usual premiums of £2-£4/head available from some buyers.
At least there are no more short weeks until the end of August to disrupt the market any further, unless our Prime Minister comes up with another new bank holiday” in memory of the all billions of our £s he has shovelled in their direction recently!
