The latest calculations from BPEX show that producers received 41% of the final retail price for pork in March. This was 1% down compared with February.
The falling producer share since the start of the year is a result of stable retail prices at a time when the DAPP continued its seasonal downturn. However, the latest figures indicate that producers received a higher share compared with the 40% achieved in March 2013.
March retail prices for bacon are not yet available, but the average producer share in February stood at 37%. This was a month-on-month decline of 1%, but was 2% higher year-on-year.
There were varying changes in retail prices for different pork cuts in March compared with a month earlier. Loin steak and boneless leg prices increased by 4% and 3% compared with February. While retail prices of traditional pork sausages, minced pork and diced pork remained unchanged, loin chops, boneless shoulder and fillet of pork became cheaper.
Retail pork prices were stronger in March compared with the same month in 2013, with the exception of loin chops (down 3%). All other cuts recorded increases in price ranging from 2% to 4%.