News
This section contains a range of articles providing the latest news, commentary and analysis of the pig market in the UK, EU and globally.
Pig meat production increases in May
13 June 2019
UK pig meat production grew 3.7% in May to total 80,100 tonnes. Production has been driven by an increase in clean pig slaughter and heavier carcase weights compared to a year earlier.
African Swine Fever and the impact on dairy markets
13 June 2019
As the world’s largest pork producer China accounts for around 50% of pork production globally. The current African Swine Fever epidemic is expected to reduce China’s pork production by 25-35% according to Rabobank, resulting in increased demand for other animal proteins but decreased demand for feedstuffs.
SPP continues upwards
12 June 2019
The EU-spec SPP maintained momentum in the week ending 8 June, increasing 1.38p to average 147.85p/kg. This is the 9th consecutive week of price rises.
EU pig meat demand falling
12 June 2019
Consumer demand for pig meat in the EU has faltered in recent years. Demand for red meat in general seems to be slowing, but pig meat has particularly suffered. Data so far for 2019, from key countries including Germany, France and Italy, further confirms this trend.
EU market outlook: 2019
12 June 2019
The EU commission hosts a working group on pig meat. Forecasts from Member State experts are used to produce a slaughter and pig price outlook for the EU overall. This year, slaughter is expected to decline slightly, while pig prices rise significantly.
All protein markets expected to respond to ASF
12 June 2019
The last time China needed to import large quantities of protein was in 2016, in response to its sow shortage. At that time, understandably, the protein shortage was met with imports of pig meat. In 2019, African Swine Fever (ASF) is expected to increase the demand for imported protein again.
Flat Irish pig meat exports, despite rising production
06 June 2019
In the first quarter of 2019, Ireland exported 69,600 tonnes of pig meat and offal, mostly unchanged from 2018. The value of these exports was up 4% to €202.7 million euros, reflecting a move towards exporting higher value hams.
An update to new crop maize
06 June 2019
Maize usage in compound and IPU feed production increased by 82.9% in the season to Apr-19: The latest feed usage statistics show a decrease of 0.7% in pig feed production in the season to date.
SPP gains more pace
05 June 2019
The EU-spec SPP has picked up the pace a little again and continued to rise in the week ending 1 June.
Increasing Spanish pork production outstrips export growth
03 June 2019
In the first quarter of this year, Spanish fresh/frozen pork exports increased by 1% (+4,200 tonnes) year-on-year to 422,900 tonnes.