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 those 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 17th of May was 66,303, of which 2,240 were sows.
The average price for grade E pig carcasses in week 19 was €1.64/kg (excluding VAT), reporting a 1.5% decrease compared on last week’s average price and when compared to the previous month prices have dropped 1.1%, this price also trails 20.1% behind the same period last year.
The drop in pigmeat price in Europe from last week has stabilised this week and this decrease was not replicated in the Irish market as of yet. According to Agritel’s latest reports, feed prices continue to remain stable as foreign demand rises, particularly from the US.
Pig farmers should remain vigilant when managing production costs as they continue to put pressure on producer margins.
