price watch

The steer average was 6p higher at 262p/kg dw (week ended 16 April) with R4L carcases levelling at 266p/kg. Heifers were 4p up on the week at 259p/kg and young bulls averaged 246p/kg. Steers and young bulls at GB auction markets averaged 145p/kg and 142p/kg respectively.

UK exports of fresh and frozen beef were 20% higher on the year during February at 6,400t. There was a 42% increase in shipments to the Netherlands to over 5,000t. UK imports of fresh and frozen beef in the January-February period totalled 37,000t.

Sheep

The new-season lamb SQQ price rose 16p to average 190.60p/kg lw (w/e 30 April). The seasonal decline in old-season lambs helped push the SQQ average price to 134.24p. The new-season deadweight SQQ price increased 3p to average 369p/kg dw (w/e 26 April), while the R3L price rose to 372p/kg dw.

In January-February 2008, sheep meat imports were 2% lower at 19,000t. New Zealand remained the principal supplier despite imports falling by 7% to 15,000t. Supplies from Australia were 44% up on the same 2007 period, at 2,000t. UK exports of sheep meat totalled 14,000t.

Pigs

The DAPP rose 0.82p to 118.87p/kg (w/e 26 April). Pig prices have not been this high since 1997, although the increase in feed prices has been greater. The DAPP:feed ratio is now 13.78% compared with 8.96% a year ago. Sterling's continued weakness and the tighter supply situation has helped drive the export specification cull sow price to over 89p/kg dw.

In January-February this year, fresh/chilled boneless cuts imported from Denmark reached 8,600t. UK pork exports in January-February 2008 were up 27% on a year earlier, reflecting the increased availability of sow meat.

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