The marketplace continues to be satisfied by high volumes of cheap imports as ongoing labour shortages in pork plants continue to force pigs to back on farms, according to Thames Valley Cambac (TVC).
Last week proved to be yet another tough one with breakdowns and inadequate allocations conspiring to give a bleak picture, TVC said in its latest weekly market update.
“Pigs continue to back up on farms and, with increasing mainstream media interest, our industry’s dire
predicament is now in the public domain,” it said.
“It is worrying therefore, that the Government seems oblivious to the problem. The market is now distorted with pigs left on farm unable to be processed, but our marketplace being satisfied by high volumes of cheap imports – encouraged by the delay until July 2022 of import checks.”
Pig prices continued to slide with weekly contract contributions back 3p and further falls in other market fundamentals. Sows had another torrid day on Friday, losing another 4p on the back of poorer European markets. The Euro was little changed at 85.65p.
Weaner and store movements continue to be heavily constrained by the backlog in the slaughter
market. Many yards are still full and now out of sequence with refill plans. AHDB issued a 7kg weaner
price at £37.53.
European Prices (p/kg.dwt) w/c 03/10/21 Movement on last week
GB SPP 153.57 – 0.74
Tribune Spot Bacon 151.32 – 2.29
European Av. 110.49 – 2.38
Belgium 85.65 – 3.39
Denmark 100.21 – 0.06
France 128.65 – 1.62
Germany 106.21 – 0.92
Ireland 128.48 – 3.50
Holland 100.98 – 2.12
Spain 123.51 – 4.53
(Ref Weekly Tribune)