Q1 2026 Pork cost of production

The estimates use performance figures for breeding and finishing herds.

They indicate the full economic cost of production for Q1 2026 is estimated to be 192p/kg deadweight, with margins per slaughter pig estimated at -£3.85 and -4p/kg deadweight.

The estimated cost of production has increased by 2p from 2025 Q4 where the estimated cost of production stood at 190p/kg.

Pig prices have decreased from 201p/kg (SPP) in Q4 2025, to 188p/kg (SPP) in Q1 2026, a fall of 13p.

Feed costs have increased by around 1p and make up 60% of costs.

Finance costs have also increased by around 1p. There were minimal changes across other variable and labour costs.

In March 2026, fuel and energy costs increased due to impacts from the conflict in the Middle East. This will be a watch point going into the second quarter of the year as the impacts from the conflict continue.

As of 2025, the cost of production and net margin figures have been calculated using the SPP price instead of the APP as that data series has not continued in 2025.

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