The EU-spec DAPP fell 0.56p to 168.25p/kg in the week ending July 27, BPEX has repprted. It says finished pig prices have started to experience some downward pressure with recent price rises starting to hit consumer demand.
The slight fall means that the difference between the latest price and the same week last year narrowed to just under 18p.
The recent turn in the weather will also have dampened demand for the barbecue season, but it could help sales of some other products.
Estimated slaughterings were slightly up on a year earlier at 163,400 head. Carcase weights increased slightly during the week, to 78.82kg, although the hot weather appears to be delaying the seasonal increase in weights that is normally seen at this time of year. Nevertheless, this week’s average was more than a 1kg higher than last year.
For the eighth consecutive week, cull sow prices rose almost 3p to 112.61p/kg for the week ended July 20. These have been fuelled by a more robust market across the Continent. Recent increases mean sow prices are now running above year-earlier levels for the first time since November 2012.