There was no change in Irish pig prices on Friday last, with producers reporting a broad spread of prices across the Republic of Ireland. Those operating under the graded pricing system have reported slightly higher prices for certain pig weight categories, though the average price for pigs processed this week remains between €1.74/kg and €1.78/kg. Pig farmers who are selling their pigs to the north are on higher prices than that quoted above and the same is the case for farmers selling pigs on the grading pricing structure in the South.
The weekly throughput as reported by the department of agriculture food and the marine for week ending the 29th of March is 71,349 of which 2,031 were sows. The average price for grade E pig carcasses in week 12 was €1.65/kg (excluding VAT), which is up (+2.3%) on last week’s average price, however, when compared to the previous month prices are up 10.6% higher and sit 10% below the same period last year.
According to Agritel’s latest European market report, grain markets are starting to stabilise after recent volatility, with fundamentals gradually regaining influence. However, a stronger euro (now above 1.15 vs the dollar) is making EU grain less competitive for export, which could weigh on local prices. At the same time, vegetable oils are strengthening due to biofuel policy changes in countries like Indonesia and Argentina, which may indirectly support feed markets. For pig farmers, this points to a more balanced but still uncertain feed cost outlook in the short term, with potential price support coming from global energy-linked demand.
