AHDB Pig Market Weekly
11 July 2012
AHDB UK Market Survey - 6 July 2012
As the market remained buoyant, in week ended 30
June the overall prime cattle deadweight average
price strengthened almost two pence on the week to
340.5p per kg. 
Auction Market Update
The total number of cattle sold through GB livestock markets in the first six months of the year was down eight per cent on the year at 153,000 head. This is in line with the decline in prime cattle slaughtering over the same period. Steer and heifer throughputs both fell by eight per cent while young bull throughputs were nine per cent lower. These tightened supplies have done much to keep prices buoyant. Overall the average liveweight prime cattle price in the first six months of the year was 187.6p per kg, an increase of almost 30 pence year on year. This was driven by similar increases for all classes of prime cattle.
Supplies of cull cows at GB auction markets have also been considerably tighter than in 2011. At 95,000 head cow numbers in first half of the year were eight per cent lower than 2011 levels. This reflects the decline in national slaughterings, which in the year to May were down six per cent on the year. The number of dairy cows marketed at auction were only three per cent lower while beef bred animals were down nine per cent. As with prime cattle these tight supplies have created upwards pressure on prices and at 128.1p per kg the all cow average price in the first six months of the year was almost 18 pence higher on the year.
Throughputs of lambs in the first six months of the year were only two per cent lower year on year at 2.76 million head. However, there is some disparity between the number of old season and new season lambs. Throughputs of old season lambs were marginally higher year on year at 2.15 million head while in contrast throughputs of new season lambs were back 11 per cent. While the new season seemed to start earlier severe disruptions in recent weeks has contributed to the tighter supply.
As with throughputs there is considerable differences between old and new season lamb prices. In the first three months of the year prices remained buoyant and tracked above 2011 levels. This has resulted in the prices for old season lambs being comparable with 2011. Overall the OSL SQQ price was two pence higher than in 2011, at 201.8p per kg. With prices falling in the post Easter period new season values have consistently tracked below the exceptional levels recorded in 2011. At 203.2p per kg the average NSL SQQ price was 24 pence lower year on year.
Cattle Market Trends
Prices
As the market remained buoyant, in week ended 30
June the overall prime cattle deadweight average
price strengthened almost two pence on the week to
340.5p per kg. The average price of all categories
of cattle increased on the week with the price of
R4L steers up two pence to 349.2p per kg while R4L
heifers were three pence dearer at 348.7p per
kg. At 334.5p per kg, the average price of R3 young
bulls was up a penny on the week.
Cow prices have increased almost every week this
year as numbers have been significantly down on
the same period a year ago. However, in the latest
week the overall cow price eased two pence to
271.4p per kg. Despite this, the shortage of cull
cows is likely to continue for at least the next few
months, which will result in strong demand
continuing and prices remaining firm.
In the week ended 4 June the prime cattle average
price at GB auction markets was little changed on
the week at 191.8p per kg. The average steer price
levelled at 192.9p per kg while heifers were also at
a similar price to the week earlier at 196.9p per
kg. Young bulls were almost a penny dearer at
185.1p per kg.
Consumption
According to the latest Kantar Worldpanel data in
the 52-week period ending 10 June 2012 household
purchases of fresh and frozen beef were at a similar
level to the year earlier at 302,000 tonnes. In
addition, the number of households buying beef
remained at a similar level to those in the
corresponding period a year earlier. Expenditure
increased six per cent to £1.98 billion as a result of
a similar increase in the average retail price. Sales
of second quality stewing beef were six per cent up
on the year while household purchases of mince
were back two per cent.
In the 12-week period ending 10 June 2012,
purchases declined five per cent on the year.
Expenditure increased seven per cent to £440
million, as increased retail prices more than offset
the lower household purchases. With the exception
of second quality stewing beef, sales of all cuts were
lower year on year. In the 12-week period
household purchases of roasting joints performed
worst, sales of first quality roasting joints were back
11 per cent whilst sales of second quality joints
were 21 per cent lower on the year. Largely as a
result of increased promotional activity sales of
second quality stewing beef increased six per cent
on the year and accounted for over 10 per cent of
all beef purchases in the 12-week period.
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