The increase in pork prices has led to robust export demand as well as increasing demand for pigs to supply the domestic market. According to BPEX's UK Pig Meat Market Update for December 2012, with the Christmas marketing period building up by mid November, prices continued to rise, despite some easing back of EU quotes.

EU pig prices began to fall back as the month progressed. However, the average price fell by nearly €10 in the following four weeks after 10 October, as pig supplies reportedly became more plentiful. Consequently, the average price for the month was €189.09 per 100kg. Prices in all the major producing EU Member States followed a similar trend to the EU average.

The UK reference price overtook the EU average in mid October, having been below it for seven consecutive weeks from late August. As a result, the UK average for October was slightly above the EU figure.

Clean pig slaughterings in the UK during October continued to rise. This was one per cent higher compared to the same month last year.

Further Reading You can view the full report by clicking here.