Positive news to report on the European pig price this week, with two weeks of sustained market improvements in the key pig producing nations of Germany, Denmark, Spain and Holland.
Albeit from a low starting point at up to 20c/kg below the cost of production, pig prices have seen increases of 8-12c/kg in these markets.
Upward movement is very much welcomed by both farmer and bank manager as reserves built up in 2017 have been well diminished after the last five months of poor pig prices.
Irish price
The Irish price remains unchanged at €1.40c/kg, but the positive trends on the continent auger well and Irish pig farmers continue to hope for a much-needed price rise towards the break-even figure of €1.50c/kg.
The national kill remains strong at 68,682 reflecting the continued-on farm improvements in numbers of pigs produced per sow.
Ireland’s percentage of the EU price has improved and is currently 99% of the EU average price as reported to the EU Commission for the week commencing 14/05/2018.
Factory pig throughput in Republic of Ireland export plants for the week ending May 19th 2018 was 67,138 head which was 12,644 head more than the previous week and 4,124 more than in the corresponding week in 2017.
Export Plants: Top prices on a flat rate basis </= €1.40c/kg in Kepak, Rosderra, and Stauntons and </= €1.42/ €1.44c/kg in Dawn Pork and Bacon and Cookstown.
Sows: 60c/kg DW.
Weekly Slaughtering’s: Week-ending 19/05/2018 Pigs: 67,138 Sows: 1,735
EU-27 PIGMEAT REFERENCE PRICE WK COMMENCING 14/05/18
Irish price €1.40kg
EU–27 average price €1.41kg
(Grade E pigs – 55% to 60% lean meat excluding VAT but including transport and bonuses).
