This week’s Pig Marketing Summary, from Thames Valley Cambac, said that with just 12 weeks to Christmas, it saw a marked improvement in fortunes with the market reacting at long last to the pressure from groups like TVC.
Retail demand was patchy with some majors still not up to speed, but a good undercurrent of export potential helped prices to improve. Monthly price contribution saw rises of 6p to 8p, and weekly contributions were generally up 2p.
Supply was still tight, and some average weights are trending lower again. The fresh meat market was buoyant with many wholesalers focussing on home grown pork in the absence of cheaper imports.
Prices were generally 2p to 3p stronger. The cull sow market saw tighter supplies than of late, but prices remained stand on. In Europe, the influential German market stood on for the fourth week in a row giving direction to most of its close neighbours.
Price quotes in sterling were enhanced however by a stronger Euro that ended the week up 0.54p at 88.77p.
The Weaner Marketing Summary, for week commencing September 22, reported that fatteners continued to shy away from any weaners or stores outside contract commitments. Supplies, however, improved again with increased production on some units causing space issues. The prices announced by the AHDB saw no quote for a 30kg store pig and the weighted average for a 7kg weaner fall by £1.42 to £39.36p.