Third most important sector in agricultural out put after beef and milk

• Approximately 7,500 jobs including production, slaughter, pork processing, feed manufacture, services

• Pig population in Ireland is about 1.7 million • Production of 220,000 tonnes per year.

• Sow herd c. 150,000 • Commercial units 440 (290 integrated; 50 breeding only; 100 finishing only)

• Average size of commercial sow units 420 sows

• Slaughter weight c. 76kg carcass or c. 100kg live weight

• Exports about 40% of production, worth €368 million in 2007 and from January to August 2008 were valued at €250million.

• Imports almost 25% of home market (a high proportion of backs or loins), 68,000 tonnes in 2007.

• Consumption – pork is the most consumed meat in the world - 38%, in Europe (EU-25) - 49% and in Ireland - 41%

• Feed usage by the pig industry is about 925,000 tonnes about 600,000 tonnes compound and 325,000 tonnes home mixed

• Main ingredients are barley, wheat, and soybean meal. Minor ingredients maize, sorghum, sugar beet pulp, molasses, cereal by products, milk products in feeds for young pigs,

• Diets are fortified with a range of vitamins and minerals. Crystalline amino acids are widely used.

• Main strengths of the industry – specialised units, high productivity, health status

• Main weaknesses of the industry – feed price, transport costs

• Main opportunities – demand for pigmeat Main threats – environmental regulations, skilled labour shortage, herd health