10th November 2001

Exports resume to US

By Peter Bolger

Exports can now resume from the Republic to the US. This is good news for the industry as the US was a valuable niche market worth £5 to £6 million in the past.

An industry source said it would take the Department and the processor the best part of a week to determine the requirements for certification. After this it is hoped exports would resume with in a month. It is hoped the good news will accelerate the reopening of the Japanese market.

Sow prices, which are considered an overall indicator of the general health of the market, tumbled again this week. Processors are quoting £15 to £18 per cwt, the third drop in as many weeks. There has been no movement in the price of pork. Quotes range from 103p to 109p per kg net.

In the North prices are steady despite the 22p/kg differential from Danish imports. Quotes range from 88pstg to 92pstg/kg, with 2p/kg less offered for Southern pigs. There are 20,000 pigs slaughtered in the North each week at present. Industry figures show the capacity of Northern producers is to supply somewhere in the region of 15,000 pigs per week. This suggests alternative supplies of pigs are finding their way to processors some way. The price differential between the South and North has now widened to 5p/kg making it more attractive to move pigs North.

In the UK there was no change in the spot or contract price for pork. The price for sows also remained static. Markets in general are quite at this time of the year but it is expected demand for bacon may increase as the weather cools down. Spot price for pork in the UK is quoted at 131p to 134p/kg Irish and 124p to 126pIrl/kg for bacon pigs. Sows remained at 25p to 51p/kg dead weight.