PIG PRODUCERS enjoyed a much improved year in 2009, with the average DAPP for the 12-month period being 145.81p per kg dw – 15% higher than the previous year despite the normal seasonal decline in demand over the festive period, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

The average sow price in 2009 was also up, at 113p per kg (+14%) although the average export specification sow trade dropped in the final two weeks of the year in the wake of week continental demand to the end of the year.

Pig imports during the year showed a big drop, mostly due to the weakness of the sterling against the euro. Total pork imports in January-October amounted to 298,000 tonnes, down 12% on the same period 12 months previously while imports during October at 24,400 were 20% lower.

Most pigmeat (41,000tonnes) was imported from the Netherlands, but imports from Denmark fell by 36% mainly due to the country’s increasing live export trade to Germany.