Tulip withdraws from DAPP

- Published: 12 February, 2009

Pork processing giant Tulip Ltd has made a shock withdrawl from BPEX's voluntary pig price reporting sample.

Pork processing giant Tulip Ltd has made a shock withdrawl from BPEX's voluntary pig price reporting sample, which is used to calculate average deadweight pig prices.

The motives behind Tulip's decision to withdraw are unclear. BPEX has expressed disappointment at the decision, but thanked the company for its participation and says that it hopes Tulip will consider rejoining the sample at some point in the future.

"BPEX and AHDB Meat Services recognise the participation of Tulip in pig price reporting over many years that has been a benefit to the whole industry," said a spokesperson. "We thank them for their support."

The pig price reporting sample is used as the basis for the weekly Deadweight Average Pig Price (DAPP) and the weekly EU reference price report to the European Commission. Tulip has withdrawn from the sample with immediate effect and Tulip data will not be included in prices published from Wednesday 11 February 2009 onwards.

The withdrawal of Tulip will reduce the number of pigs going into the sample but BPEX said: "The sample remains robust, accounting for approximately 45% of all pigs slaughtered in Great Britain each week."

Contributing abattoirs to the DAPP sample are Bowes of Norfolk, Cranswick Country Foods, Morrisons, Vion and Whitely Bay Meat Supply Co.