Pig Prices Remain Unchanged

Irish pig prices remain unchanged for yet another week at prices of between €1.38c/kg up €1.42c/kg.

The bank holiday week resulted in a reduced kill of 56,192, which will result in a carryover of approximately 12,000 pigs into this week. The increase in production efficiency at farm level is very positive but the killing capacity within the Republic of Ireland, particularly in the light of the unknow impact of Brexit, is an issue that is of concern to all pig producers.

This week IFA Pigs Chairman joined a trade mission to China led by EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan along with Agriculture Minister, Michael Creed and Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy. China is a key export market for Irish pigmeat and developing emerging export markets will be key to the long- term sustainability of the Irish pig sector.

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 30/04/2018.

Factory pig throughput in Republic of Ireland export plants for the week ending May 5th 2018 was 67,442 head which was 233 head more than the previous week and 13,898 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 Slaughterings: Week-ending 05/05/2018 Pigs: 67,442 Sows: 2,022

EU-27 PIGMEAT REFERENCE PRICE WK COMMENCING 30/04/18

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).