Market prices

Cattle

Finished cattle prices at GB auction markets firmed (week ended 3 June). Steers recorded the largest week-on-week rise, up nearly 2p to average 158.5p/kg. Heifer and young bull averages were both up by 1p on the week at 158.9p/kg and 151.2p/kg respectively. The deadweight trade remained stable (w/e 30 May), with steer and heifer averages unchanged week-on- week at 282.1p/kg and 279.6p/kg respectively. Between April and May, there was a 1% increase in the retail price of beef while the producer price fell by a similar amount. Top side and rump steak were the only cuts to record price rises - by 4% to £9.15/kg and 2% to £12.45/kg respectively.

Sheep

The finished lamb trade at GB auction markets eased by 2p (w/e 3 June), despite new-season lambs being sold in increasing numbers. The new-season SQQ averaged 201.6p/kg.

Deadweight new-season lambs (w/e 30 May) averaged 436.2p/kg, while the R3L price fell by more than 3p on the week to 435.2p/kg. Both producer and retail lamb prices increased between April and May. However, the increase in the average retail lamb price was slightly more marked. Bone-in shoulders recorded the largest month-on-month retail price increase, up 4%, to average £6.29/kg.

Pigs

The DAPP firmed marginally (w/e 30 May) to average 152.8p/kg. Increased pig prices may have encouraged producers to finish pigs at higher weights in order to maximise returns. Easing demand for sow meat on the Continent has seen the deadweight cull sow price fall during May.

The producer pig price rose by 3% between April and May, while the average retail pork price remained unchanged. In the same period, the increase in the producer price for bacon weight pigs, at 7%, was more marked than the overall increase in pig prices. The average retail bacon price eased marginally, resulting in the average price spread for bacon falling to 67%.

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