Strengthening Markets for Pork and Beef

UK - Both beef and pork markets in the UK are strengthening at present with prime cattle prices up and pig meat prices seeing their seasonal rise.

12 July 2012

2 minute read

Europe

The cattle market remained buoyant, in week ended 30 June the overall prime cattle deadweight average price rose by almost two pence on the week to 340.5p per kg, according to the latest Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board UK Market Survey.

The average price of all categories of cattle increased on the week.

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.

The survey says that the number of households buying beef remained at a similar level to those in the corresponding period a year earlier.

Consumer spending on beef rose by 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 also six per cent up on the year while household purchases of mince were back two per cent.

The seasonal rise in finished pig prices continued in week ended 30 June, with the EU-spec DAPP breaking through the 150 pence barrier.

There has been some tightening of supplies in recent weeks, with estimated GB clean pig slaughterings below the level for the same week last year for the first time in nearly three months at 156,300 head.

Household expenditure on fresh and frozen pork rose by five per cent in the 12 weeks to 10 June 2012, with £217 million spent on pork.

However, the survey says that the quantity of pork purchased fell by three per cent. The decline has been driven by reduced purchases of leg and shoulder roasting joints.