VCR Livestock Marketing Service’s Scott Reid said recent pig sales have been a
success in Forbes, with pig numbers and prices being on par with expectations for this time of the year. About 650 pigs lined up for the most recent pig sale last Friday, with different types of pigs selling at different prices.
Small pigs sold for about $10 per head cheaper than average, but the grown pig, bacon and pork markets sold at firm prices, according to Mr Reid. He added the best sow pigs sold for between $1.40 and $1.80 per kilo, sold at live
weight, while boars sold for between $0.25 and $0.75 per kilo, again at live weight.
Both bacon and pork were sold per head, with prices varying depending on the quality of the pig. Mr Reid said the best bacon pigs were sold for $300 each, while the best pork pigs went out for about $190 each. However, he added there was a wide variety of selling prices, with bacon pigs selling from $150 upwards, while pork pigs went out the door from $100 upwards.
Mr Reid said each statistic from the sale showed the pig market was operating
as one would expect for this time of the year. “The pig market is strongest around Christmas time,” he said. “Prices have eased off since Easter, but
this is normally the cheapest time of year for pigs as the demand is lower.”
“Having said that we’ll expect the prices of sows and bores to come back up during the winter period, but the other types of pigs should stay similar to what they are currently.” The next pig sale will be next Friday, April 14.