Heavier pigs hitting the market
UK - Foot and Mouth restrictions have caused a huge backlog of pigs which means average slaughter weights are now some 3kg higher, reports the Meat and Livestock Commission's latest edition of Pig Market Trends.
15 November 2007
2 minute read
Pigs weighing more than 80kg are now accounting for half of all pigs in the DAPP sample. Usually, the numbers of animals in this class would account for around 30 per cent of throughput.
Combined with plentiful supplies of lower priced imports and the need to absorb pork shoulder meat on the domestic market, this has limited the potential for any real improvement in producer prices, says MLC economists. And, for most producers production is unsustainable at the current price level of just under 110p per kg.
Fifty year low
Pig Market Trends also includes the latest forecast for UK pig meat supplies based on a further contraction in the breeding herd in 2008. MLC says that 2009 could see the lowest number of clean pig slaughterings for over 50 years.
Pig Market Trends is published monthly by MLC Economics. It focuses on developments in the pig industry, both at home and abroad. Annual subscriptions start at £50. To subscribe, contact Jayne Dines on Tel. 01908 844396.
For further details see www.mlceconomics
Combined with plentiful supplies of lower priced imports and the need to absorb pork shoulder meat on the domestic market, this has limited the potential for any real improvement in producer prices, says MLC economists. And, for most producers production is unsustainable at the current price level of just under 110p per kg.
Fifty year low
Pig Market Trends also includes the latest forecast for UK pig meat supplies based on a further contraction in the breeding herd in 2008. MLC says that 2009 could see the lowest number of clean pig slaughterings for over 50 years.
Pig Market Trends is published monthly by MLC Economics. It focuses on developments in the pig industry, both at home and abroad. Annual subscriptions start at £50. To subscribe, contact Jayne Dines on Tel. 01908 844396.
For further details see www.mlceconomics
