Largest weekly fall in the SPP since 2016

By Bethan Wilkins

There was a significant fall in the EU-spec SPP for the week ending 4 September, as the figure dropped to 156.39p/kg. This means that producers received, on average, 2.31p less for their pigs than the week before. At this price, the SPP was the lowest since June.

The further decrease in pig prices is a result of constraints on slaughter and processing capacity due to staff shortages. Recent falls in pig prices in most EU member states has likely also played a role, enabling pig meat imports into the UK to be more price competitive.

Estimated slaughter in GB stood at 155,700 head, slightly lower than the week before (perhaps influenced by the bank holiday) and well below the same week in 2020. There was a further increase in carcase weights, which averaged 88.96kg, which is over 3kg above last year’s level.

The average price for a 7kg weaner was more than £1 lower than the last reported price 3 weeks ago, at £37.68/head. This was £3.90 lower than the same week last year. The weaner market is also facing significant challenges at the moment, with delays to finished pig slaughter also impacting weaner movements.

The EU-spec APP has also continued to fall. The average decreased to 163.65p/kg for the week ending 28 August. This was a drop of over a penny compared the week before, and the series is now almost 2p lower than the same time last year. The gap between the APP and SPP narrowed to 4.95p.

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