market insight

Cattle

The prime cattle trade at GB auction markets increased marginally (week ended 10 March). Both the overall steer and young bull averages levelled at 148.2p and135.3p/kg respectively, while the heifer average was 1p higher at 152.1p/kg.

The deadweight cattle trade eased and the heifer average was down 1p to 273.9p/kg. Both the steer and young bull average prices eased marginally to 275.4p/kg and 252.7p/kg respectively.

Sheep

The GB deadweight SQQ lifted by 1p to 410p/kg (w/e 6 March). At GB auction markets, the SQQ fell by 2p (w/e 10 March), to average 186p/kg.

According to the latest Kantar Worldpanel data, household purchases of fresh and frozen lamb in the 12-week period ended 21 February were 5% lower than in the corresponding period a year earlier. There was a 4% fall in the frequency of lamb sales, however, while the volume of purchases on each shopping trip made was 2% up on the year.

Pigs

The DAPP rose to 141.63p/kg (w/e 6 March) marginally higher than a week earlier. The average sow price increased to almost 102p/kg.

Data from Kantar Worldpanel indicates that the volume of pork purchased from GB retailers in the four weeks to21 February fell by 8% to 14,000t compared with the same period a year earlier. Expenditure also decreased by 5% to £68,000 in the four-week period. However, sales of shoulder roasting joints increased by 30% to go some way to offsetting this reduction

Purchases of pork frying and grilling steaks reduced, by 13% to 3,700t. Other cuts of fresh and frozen pork fared better, although the three remaining categories contribute less than 5,000t towards total purchases.

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