Some of the smaller fresh meat wholesalers reported better demand in the run-up to Christmas and although these buyers do not account for a particularly large number of pigs, it is always good to hear of premiums being paid by these specialist outlets.

The spot bacon base price remains circa 128p, but with premiums available for lighter weights and Freedom Food pigs.

Lighter cutters are also attracting more interest and are being purchased at 4–7p above equivalent bacon quotes.

Despite the soaring level of United Kingdom debt and “Call Me Darling’s“ pre-budget announcements flagging up more pain than gain in the months ahead, the value of sterling has held at recent levels and the euro remains worth 90.5p.

The cull sow market however took a very sharp downward turn this week with most sows trading in the 94–97p range according to specification and load size.

This was due to a combination of larger numbers available to avoid keeping and feeding culls over the Christmas period. Most of the major European sow meat processors have enough product to meet their needs for Christmas having cut orders sharply until consumer demand for processed cull sow products picks up in the New Year.

Further evidence that pig prices should rise in the spring has been provided in the weaner market where there are more buyers than sellers and although this has yet to be fully reflected in the latest AHDB 30kg ex-farm price of 348.25/head, reports are being received of premiums of 31 to 32 per head being paid for large lots, but most buyers are now insisting weaners are given Circoflex rather than the universal Circovac sow vaccine.

Next Friday’s commentary will probably be fairly thin (unlike me) as we enter the first two short slaughtering weeks over Christmas and the New Year and then anxiously wonder what January has in store for us.