Producer share of retail price reaches three-and-a-half year high

The producer’s share of the retail pork price has reached its highest point since December 2013, after increasing marginally in May to reaching 43.2%, the highest point of the year so far.

This was one percentage point greater than April and 11% higher than May 2016. The main driver for the three-and-a-half year high is, of course higher prices, with average May farmgate prices up 2.6% on April and a massive 36.6% on the same period a year earlier.

Meanwhile, retail prices fell 0.6% in May against the previous month, but remained 0.5% above May 2016.

For more on this, including analysis of retail price trends and ailing demand, see Pig World

Prices continue to rise, with the SPP for the week ending June 17 up rising again, by 0.21p to reach 161.91p/kg, as supplies are reported to have tightened further. Prices are now at their highest levels in three years, and more than 40p higher than the equivalent week in 2016.