EXPECTATIONS of a Christmas spike in pig prices didn’t eventuate at last Friday’s Forbes pig sale of 787 head selling to a cheaper market.
Backfatters met a slight reprieve in values in a sale described as firm on the previous fortnight. However, bacon, pork and suckers all sold to a cheaper market back by as much as $10 a head.
This cheaper market came as a surprise to selling agent, Scott Reid of V.C. Reid and Son, Forbes, who said in other years December sales spiked in prices.
“There’s certainly no Christmas joy this year,” he said. “Buyers were telling us wholesalers had plenty of product, mainly due to imports.
“A lot of breeders join to have pigs ready for sale in the last six to eight weeks of the year when prices normally get a bit dearer, taking advantage of the Christmas spike, but that hasn’t eventuated this year.”
Baconers ranged in price from $150 to $170 while pork sold from $120 to $130. Suckers made from $40 to $100.
Last sale this year is December 15 and first for 2018 is January 5.
