Although the DAPP put on a further 1.3p and now stands at 146.35p and Tulip followed suit by adding a further penny to its shout price leading to similar increases from all the other major players with the exception of Cranswick, which remains at 146p. But at least Woodhead has finally broken the 150p barrier with the league table now reading as follows:

150p Woodhead
149p Gill
148p Tulip
147p Vion
146p Cranswick


Spot bacon sellers had a relatively quiet day with most prices remaining at stand-on levels with prices anywhere between 148p and 152p according to specification.

Light cutters continued to earn modest 4p–6p premiums, but this sector of the market still remains affected by relatively poor high street demand.

However buyers should be reminded that pig supplies are tight and as soon as retail demand recovers there may not be enough to go round in four weeks time.

As mentioned above the poor performance of the euro which traded on Friday worth 81.6p has done nothing to help either as far as foreign pigmeat imports are concerned or on the cull sow export front.

Most cull sow export buyers managed to hold at similar levels although there were signs of the odd copper or two being taken out in places, but once again with three major competitors all looking for volume this sector still remains relatively buoyant with bids generally in the 124p–128p range, according to who you are and where you are.

The weaner market remains (like the weather) under something of a cloud with the latest Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 30kg ex-farm weaner average slipping to 345.35/head and this sector is still suffering from a lack of finishing space as well as eye-wateringly expensive feed with ex -farm wheat traded at 3170/tonne, although for those with longer memories it was 3200/tonne this time last year.