World: Pig market shows early signs of seasonal uplift

Prices paid for carcases weighing 70-104.9kg have edged higher in five of the last six weeks, rising 0.4% from a year-to-date low of 212.55p/kg to reach 213.43p/kg in the week ending March 23. "Despite evidence of a slight seasonal upturn, prices have still slipped behind year-earlier levels for the first time in two years", says QMS Market Intelligence Manager, Iain Macdonald. "Still, they were up 35% on their five-year average in mid-March, reflecting the sharp market rebound between spring 2022 and 2023". Pig producers will be relieved that the price of feed has been falling. Defra’s animal feed price series shows that grain prices in January were down 25-30% on 2023 levels. Protein meal prices have also fallen sharply since a brief rebound in autumn 2023, taking them down over 20% on the year. Since then, market data suggests that there has been further downwards pressure on both grain and protein meals, although grain prices have rebounded slightly in the second half of ...