Pig price decline continues

By Peter Crichton

DEADWEIGHT market prices for pigs are continuing to decline, with the latest Adjusted UK Spec GB price slipping to 92.43p/kg for the week ended 23 May.

Spot quotations are also dull due to lower EU prices. Bacon pigs are quoted at 78-84p/kg and there are few signs of a reversal in the next few weeks.

Nevertheless, some high-street butchers report that interest is increasing in lighter “shop” pigs, which might help demand at the lower end of the weight range.

Cull sows continue to languish in the 55-60p/kg deadweight bracket. That price range is equivalent to 35-38p/kg liveweight.

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• Peter Crichton is a Suffolk-based pig farmer offering independent valuation and consultancy services to the UK pig industry