Price Summary

Buying interest were weak in most regions. In Sichuan and Hunan provinces, prices of native crossbreed lean piglets were higher on increased buying.

Market analysis

Concerned that weak hog prices lately may lead to widening losses, most hog raisers, especially those new in the scene, had turned more cautious in buying piglets.

In the provinces of Jiangsu and Shandong as well as in Guangxi Zhuang Region, hog raisers were discouraged from making piglet procurement as hog prices have declined in the post-Spring Festival period.

Piglet prices in the provinces of Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan and Guangdong were unchanged from the previous week amid fewer buying activity and cross province deliveries. Dealers in big piglet markets mentioned that buying interest was somewhat affected by weak hog prices in these provinces.

In Sichuan province, increased buying of native crossbreed lean piglets by backyard farmers helped average piglet prices to edge up marginally higher.

Market forecast

Slowing pork demand in the post-Spring Festival period would continue to affect hog prices. Piglet prices in China are thus expected to stay sluggish in the week ahead.

Source: eFeedLink - 17th February 2006