Factory breakdowns, exacerbated by the heavier pigs going through the system, are making an already desperate situation in the pork supply chain worse, according to Thames Valley Cambac.
“Factory reliability continues to be the ‘Achilles Heel’ in the supply chain and is currently exacerbated by the swathe of massive pigs exposing any weakness in slaughter lines,” TVC said in its latest market update.
“These breakdowns have caused many hundreds of pigs to be rolled and heaped more pressure on an already beleaguered production base. Conditions on farm continue to deteriorate, and the mental wellbeing of farmers and farm staff is of increasing concern.”
Prices continue to ease back with poor demand reported by many outlets, while the cull sow trade was severely hampered by processing issues in Germany, with minimal numbers required as a result.
European markets were similar, with the exception of the Netherlands (+5.5c). The Euro eased slightly and ended the week down 0.45p at 83.18p.
TVC also report that the weaner market is becoming stagnant as the backlog is compromising unit turnaroundm causing major issues on breeding farms who are having to cope with retaining piglets until grower
space becomes available.
AHDB issued a 7kg weighted average weaner price of £33.78 but there was insufficient data for the AHDB to calculate a 30kg store price.
European Prices (p/kg.dwt) w/c 30/01/22 Movement on last week
GB SPP 138.85 – 0.15
Tribune Spot Bacon 138.48 – 0.75
European Av. 102.48 + 0.28
Belgium 81.02 – 0.44
Denmark 88.25 – 0.48
France 124.68 – 0.60
Germany 99.81 – 0.55
Ireland 118.11 – 0.65
Holland 94.32 + 4.08
Spain 111.29 + 0.48
Ref Weekly Tribune