Price recovery continues

The European Union pig price has comfortably overtaken last year's average price at this time, and is now within a gnat's whisker of hitting the European Union five-year average.

In Britain (scarce) spot pigs have romped past last year's spot levels, but contract pigs need another 7p to hit last year's SPP at this time.

Price recovery will continue as European Union supply tightens in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile the British pig price, which has been roughly on a par with Denmark and the Netherlands, is now catching up with the overall European Union average.

However in Britain pork and pork products still have a problem at retail. According to data for the 12 weeks to June 19, 2 percent less pork was sold compared to a year earlier, despite prices being 9 percent lower.

Shoulder roasting joints were up 7 percent in volume but most other cuts were down. Bacon sales were down slightly and sausages and cooked meats were also down.