SPP falls sharply again

By Bethan Wilkins

The EU-spec SPP for the week ended 16 October dropped back to 146.35p/kg. This was 4.66p less than a week earlier and about 6p lower than the five-year average for the time of year. Live pig supplies continue to outstrip available processing capacity. As was the case two weeks ago, low prices paid for batches of pigs destined for markets requiring minimal butchery, have likely weighed on the overall average. Low EU prices also remain a key part of the current price declines.

All price bands recorded declines, although the largest drop was for those 105 kg and over, which fell by 6.12p to average 119.45p/kg. Nonetheless, pigs within the 70-104.9 kg weight band also fell by 4.13p, to average 148.80p/kg.

Estimated throughput for the week totalled 178,600 head. This was an improvement on the previous week, though still about 3% lower than a year earlier. The average carcase weight was up by 800 g from the previous week to 91.45 kg. This was 4.83 kg higher than last year.

A 7kg weaner price was also published this week, which averaged £34.78/head. This latest price is about £4 lower than the five-year average for the time of year. Prices in the weaner market will be coming under pressure in response to the decrease in finished pig prices as well as logistical difficulties on farms.

For the week ending 9 October, the EU-spec APP recorded a marginal increase and stood at 156.44p/kg. This was an increase of 0.44p on the week but nearly 6p lower than last year. The gap between the two price series narrowed again to 5.43p, as the rise in the SPP for the same week was larger.

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