Pig prices on the up despite feed cost rises

Scottish pig producers have not had to seek their troubles recently, with massive rises in the cost of feed along with the closure of the biggest processing plant at Broxburn.

But Stuart Ashworth of Quality Meat Scotland revealed yesterday producers have actually seen a slight rise in pig prices over the past month, and that has put them around 9 per cent above this time last year.

It has also put them well ahead of pig producers in the major European pig producing countries who have seen prices slide by about 3 per cent over the same period.

“Scottish pig prices now stand 8 per cent above the EU average compared to 1 per cent below in mid-October,” he said. “The down side on this, of course, is that it makes European product more competitive in the UK market.”

He added the slight surprise was that prices had improved at the same time as a modest increase in UK prime pig slaughter numbers.

“Some retailers are saying they are recognising the increased cost of feed in their pricing policies while worries over reduced European production in 2013 may be encouraging retailers to secure UK production.”