As the new year gets underway, Irish pig prices remained unchanged last Friday, with producers reporting a range of prices arising from the Rosderra graded pricing system. The national average pig price for pigs slaughtered this week in the Republic of Ireland stands at €1.84/kg, although it is important to note that some farmers are achieving prices well above this level.
The average price for grade E pig carcasses in week 50 was €1.60/kg (excluding VAT), which is back -2% on the previous week, however when compared to the previous month prices are -7% lower and sit -16% below the same period last year. The weekly throughput reported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for week ending the 28th of December was 15,241. No sows were processed.
According to Agritel, European grain markets are gradually firming in early January, supported by a weaker euro, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Futures prices in both Paris and Chicago have strengthened. Ongoing infrastructure damage in Ukraine is slowing grain exports, while uncertainty around China’s trade relations with Canada is adding volatility to oilseed markets. In the US, markets remain volatile ahead of the January USDA report, with particular focus on corn supply estimates and worsening winter wheat conditions.
