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.
GB breeding herd productivity declines
18 April 2019
The latest physical performance data, provided to AHDB by Agrosoft, shows that GB breeding herd productivity declined in 2018. This is the first year performance has not improved since 2010.
Pig prices back on the rise
17 April 2019
After two consecutive weeks of decline in the EU-spec SPP, the measure has gained over half a penny in the most recent week. In the week ending 13 April, the measure firmed by 0.64p to average 138.31p/kg. It is possible that the strong demand for EU pork from China due to the ongoing epidemic of African Swine Fever has finally lent support to prices.
Dutch pork exports flat despite rising production
17 April 2019
In 2018, the Netherlands exported 902,100 tonnes of fresh/frozen pork, barely changing from 2017. This was despite higher Dutch production; provisional data from Eurostat shows an 8% (+112,500 tonnes) increase in 2018. Exports are crucial for the Dutch pig industry as it is over 200% self-sufficient. The value of these exports was also lower, amounting to €1.8 billion, down 5% on 2017.
Why aren’t UK pig prices moving up yet?
17 April 2019
In recent weeks, EU pig prices have shot up. This reflects a significant uplift in demand on the Chinese market, as African Swine Fever (ASF) starts to take a toll on supply levels. The EU average pig reference price reached 136.12p/kg in the week ended 7 April, and so now stands just 2p below the UK reference price. This means that when delivered to UK customers, standard UK pork will now be cheaper than the EU equivalent.
UK slaughter flat in the first quarter
17 April 2019
UK clean pig slaughter in March totalled 854,600 head, under 1% lower than the same month in 2018. Factory breakdowns had limited supplies for much of March, but higher throughput at the end of the month compensated for this.
A later Easter affects red meat sales
16 April 2019
In the 12 weeks ending 24 March, GB volume sales of primary red meat, poultry and bacon declined 3% year-on-year.
USDA expects ASF to cut global pork supplies
16 April 2019
The latest USDA* global outlook report anticipates global pork production will fall by 4% in 2019.
SPP falls again
10 April 2019
In the week ending 6 April, the EU-spec SPP declined for the second consecutive week. Prices fell by 0.06p to average 137.67p/kg. Prices still remain well over 7p below last year’s levels.
EU pig prices pick up the pace
10 April 2019
The EU pig price continued increasing during March with the reference price increasing €6.70 to average €142.62/100kg. The EU-28 price was €150.01/100kg in the week ended 31st March, the highest weekly price since the beginning of September 2018.
EU weaner prices motor upwards
10 April 2019
During quarter one of 2019, EU weaner prices have followed the typical pattern for the time of year and gained strength. During the week ending 31 March, the EU weaner reference price stood at €49.03/head, just above the five year average price but almost €3 below the same week last year.