Pig prices drop again in the New Year

The EU-spec SPP has dropped again to 140.10p/kg for the week ending 8 January. This is a decline of 0.45p from the previous week ending 1 January. This latest figure is also more than 9p below the 5-year average for the time of year.

At 143,000 head, estimated slaughter remained low, at least partly because this was another week affected by a bank holiday. However, it was 5% higher than the week before, which was between Christmas and New Year.

Carcase weights increased again to 95.10kg, up almost 1kg since last week and setting another new record. Weights are about 4.7kg above year earlier levels. Slaughter delays, now including the Christmas holidays, will be driving this increase. Probe measurements remained at 11.8mm, which is still the highest recorded measurement for the SPP sample.

A 7kg weaner price was produced for the week ended 8 January, the first average for 4 weeks. At £32.86/head, the price was similar to the last published figure but nearly £6 below the five-year average for the week.

The EU-spec APP stood at 148.04p/kg in the week ended 1 January. This was a smaller decline than that seen in the SPP during the same week, of only 0.81p. This meant the gap between the two price series widened to a substantial 7.49p, the largest difference since the series began.

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