The ‘pingdemic’ caused by the NHS Covid App added to staffing issues among processors and hauliers alike last week, causing problems across the supply chain, according to Thames Valley Cambac (TVC).
The upshot was downtime at many processors with one major reducing their kill substantially. Supplies backlogged just at the wrong time with a heatwave forecasted,” TVC said in its latest weekly newsletter.
“It is hoped the either the sensitivity of the App is tempered or a reassessment of length of isolation is announced, or this industry, like many others is going to quickly deteriorate.”
Nonetheless, prices improved with a welcome lift in the SPP and other market quotes, as the fresh meat market saw steady demand and prices were similar.
However, the cull sow market took a turn downwards on the back of a poorer German market, with prices down 4p. European prices were a ‘sea of red’, with only Belgium and Ireland unaffected. Prices quotes in sterling were compromised further by a weaker Euro that ended the week down 0.46p at 85.30p.
Supplies of both 7kgs weaners and 30kg stores were ample but there was minimal interest for any batches outside contract arrangements. Prices remained subdued. There were no price quotes issued from AHDB.
European Prices (p/kg.dwt) w/c 18/07/21 Movement on last week
GB SPP 159.88 + 0.92
Tribune Spot Bacon 161.30 n/c
European Av. 127.69 – 3.86
Belgium 103.04 – 0.56
Denmark 118.14 – 5.27
France 138.18 – 4.52
Germany 121.12 – 5.80
Ireland 144.15 – 0.78
Holland 118.48 – 3.64
Spain 150.72 – 6.30
(Ref Weekly Tribune)