There is still no better news for our cattle farmers, with the average weaner calf price having further declined last week and now trading at R31.04 per kilogram. Heavier calves are achieving much lower prices, with lighter calves under 200kg trading at R33.25 per kilogram. The expectation is that weaners prices may now stabilize and gradually trend upward as we move towards August.
The A2/3 carcass price has declined to R53.82, while the C-grade price has stabilized at R45.86 last week. Limited demand is expected to keep the prices at a lower level. The producer milk price remained at R7.41 per liter last week.
The average feeder lamb price has increased by about 2% to R42.28, with very few lambs currently available in the market. However, limited demand from end consumers is restricting the potential upward movement. What is also standing out now is the increased imports from Namibia, which is marketing and exporting much more compared to the previous four years. This will also counteract the upward movement over the next few months, making it difficult for our market to surpass R45.
However, the A2/3 carcass price has increased to R84.64, with the C2/3 price sharply rising to R57.02 last week. The expectation is that A-grade prices can gradually rise, while C-grade prices are expected to show strong upward movement.
The Rand has further weakened, which has helped local wool prices to some extent. The non-rws wool price has risen to R172.55, while the rws price has risen to R189.51. However, Australian prices have again declined by about 2% last week, but towards the end of the week, prices started to rise again as buyers remain positive about taking the products through the value chain. We are also approaching the end of the season and buyers are now closely monitoring volumes.
In the poultry industry, prices have stabilized, with the frozen price at R34.01, the fresh price at R34.07, and the IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) price slightly higher at R33.04 per kilogram. The weaker Rand can especially force the IQF price further upward and also push local prices upward. Just keep in mind that we are moving into a seasonal downward trend starting next month.
Pork prices have slightly declined week-on-week, with the average pork price at R29.59, which is now 8% higher than the same time last year. The baconer price has declined to R29.47, the porker price has risen to R30.90, and the latest suasage price has increased to R24.66 per kilogram. Over the next month or two, these prices are expected to enter a downward trend, but the weaker Rand and lower local production may limit the downward movement this year.
Goat prices have risen again, with the expectation of improved demand. The large goat price has increased to R47.21, small goats have risen to R54.11, and goat ewes have reached R45.19 per kilogram. The sentiment is still that prices may tend upward over the next few months but remain quite volatile.