GB finished pig prices decline over the New Year
The EU-spec SPP continued its downwards trajectory into the New Year. In the week ending 2 January, the price dropped back a further 0.61p on the week, to average 146.73p/kg. This puts prices over 15.5p below the same week in the previous year. Meanwhile, prices remain over 1.5p above the 5-year average.
Estimated slaughter picked up following the Christmas week. Throughputs totalled 134,900 head, 34,100 head more than in the previous week. However, this remains slightly (-3,100 head) below the same week in the previous year.
Carcase weights averaged 89.86kg, which is the highest since the series began (2014). As such, carcases weighed in almost 2.5kg heavier than in the previous week. This highlights the ongoing challenges with pigs backed up in the system.
By Felicity Rusk
