Pig market: 06/08/2018

Prices reported to IFA

Comment: Pig prices remain below €1.40c/kg, with €1.38c/kg the most common price quoted this week. The situation on pig farms has taken a double blow over the past two weeks, with the combination of a falling below-cost pig price and the ever-rising cost of feed. Spot prices for cereals have soared in recent days and no long-term buying was conducted. The picture on feed cost will take a few weeks to settle once the main EU harvest is in and tonnage available is more evident. It is true to say that stocks will be tight in the 2018/2019 winter/spring season, especially some cereal and protein byproducts, such as grains, pulp and hulls. On a slightly positive note, the falling pig price has sparked an increase in the sale volumes of pork across the continent in recent days. Wholesalers and food service suppliers are back in the market in advance of the back-to-school season and the traditional increase in meat consumption market in September.