The live-weight hogg market has strengthened further in the past week with demand increasing as the Easter period approaches.
In the week ended 29 March the GB SQQ (Standard Quality Quotation) rose by 12p compared to the previous week, reaching 187.9p/kg, its highest level of the year so far. Prices remained below last year's levels, however, the gap has closed to just 2p.
Prices have risen despite the number of throughputs being 16 per cent higher than in the previous week. This comes as demand has been rising in the past few weeks to cover higher retail sales over the Easter period. Throughputs were also well up on the same week in 2016, however with Easter falling in this period there were fewer working days.
Prices were up throughout the period, however, the largest gains were seen at the beginning of the week with prices on Wednesday, 29 March up by 4p on the week at 182p/kg.
Deadweight prices also rose in the week ended 25 March with the GB SQQ up by 5p on the previous week at 399.1p/kg, the highest level since early October. However prices remain 39p below year earlier levels. This again was likely due to higher demand in the build up to Easter. Prices rose despite estimated slaughtering rising by 1 per cent on the previous week and being 10 per cent higher than the same week last year.
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 179 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of 252.2p per kg to average 217.5p (+1.6p on the fortnight), while 262 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 264.6p and levelled at 226.7p (+6.6p). Seventy-three store, B&W bullocks sold to 193.9p and averaged 149.8p (-3.8p).
Harrison & Hetherington Ltd had 558 store cattle forward in St Boswells on Thursday when heifers sold to £1270 per head and 283.6p per kg to average£884.94 and 226.4p (+10.7p), while bullocks peaked at £1365 and 292p to level at £993.37 and 234p (+1.8p).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd had a larger show of 6031 prime hoggs forward in Longtown on Thursday that met an easier trade on the week owing to large numbers being offered for sale across the country, especially heavy types. Top prices on the day were £123 per head and 308p per kg with the final average levelling at 176.4p (-8p), or SQQ 183.8p.
The firm also had 3596 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £158 for Texels and averaged £89.79 (+£6.03), while light ewes peaked at £74 for Cheviots and levelled at £47.97 (+£6.07). Rams sold to £147 for a Texel and averaged £77.05.
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