EU pig prices remain more than £14 per 100kg down on last year with the summer peak looking set to be “significantly lower” than in recent years, according to AHDB Pork.
“Having fallen during early May, EU pig prices began to recover later in the month and into early June,” said AHDB Pork in its latest review of the European pigmeat market.
“By week ended June 21, the average price had risen to €149 (£105) per 100kg, its highest level since last September. However, the market remains finely balanced and the return of more unsettled weather or a modest increase in supplies could put downward pressure on prices.
“Despite the recent price increases, in fact, the average remains more than €20 (£14) down on a year earlier and the summer peak looks set to be significantly lower than in recent years.”
As a result of the recent EU gains, however, the gap between UK and EU prices had fallen to 24p/kg, which was the smallest difference since September 2014.