Tulip set the trend by standing on with their shout prices and the other 4 all followed suit, so the latest weekly price table remains unchanged as follows -

Woodhead 166p
Gills 164p
Tulip 163p
Cranswick 162p
Karro 162p

Spot bacon buyers were also in a more subdued mood and although 168p/kg was available, few were inclined to go beyond this while much cheaper foreign imports are available at a discount of up to 25p/kg.

European mainland pigmeat prices are still reporting to be suffering from a combination of poor demand in northern Europe caused by the unseasonal weather as well as relatively high stocks in chillers and cold stores, but all the signs are that when the sun puts it hat on and comes out to play prices will soon improve.

The cull sow market remains at a relatively low level trading within a narrow 98p – 102p/kg range according to load size and spec, despite the Euro ending the week on a slightly firmer note trading on Friday worth 85.46p.

Weaner values are also continuing to improve helped by a further easing in forward feed wheat prices and a slightly better outlook for finished pig values with the latest AHDB 30kg ex farm weaner price now standing at £49.89/head and Freedom Food weaners still in short supply and earning premiums of £2 - £4/head above this.