The Irish pig price remains stable at €1.52-€1.54/kg again this week and indications from the industry are that this price will pertain, up until the EU pig price shows significant improvement from its current low levels. On that front, we have the first signs of positivity this week with a 2c/kg increase in the German pig price. Albeit from a low starting price of below €1.20/kg, it is a first step in the right direction.
The build-up of factory ready pigs in Germany and surrounding countries, particularly Denmark and Belgium, has receded to manageable levels and slaughter weights are heading back in line with normal weights of mid 80kgs. All market indicators are good, combined with strong European pork export figures for January too, especially to China. The EU Commission continues to make the case for China to accept European regionalisation, that would allow the vast majority of German pork to be exported to China. Nonetheless, the current situation gives rise to optimism and a pig price rise, similar to what the sow market is currently witnessing, can be expected to follow.
Ireland’s percentage of the EU price has improved and is currently 118% of the EU average price as reported to the EU Commission for the week commencing 1/2/2021.
Factory pig throughput in Republic of Ireland export plants for the week ending February 21st 2021 was 72,607 head which was 953 more than the previous week and 3,132 more than in the corresponding week in 2020.
Export Plants
Top prices on a flat rate basis </= €1.52/kg-€1.54c/kg in Rosderra, Staunton’s and Kepak </=€1.54/kg – €1.56/kg in Karro (Cookstown) and in Dawn Pork & Bacon.
Sows
€0.58-0.64c/kg DW.
Weekly Slaughtering’s Week-ending 21/2/2021
Pigs: 71,037 Sows: 1,570
EU-27 PIGMEAT REFERENCE PRICE WK COMMENCING 1/2/21
Irish price: €1.52kg
EU–27 average price: €1.28kg
(Grade E pigs – 55% to 60% lean meat excluding VAT but including transport and bonuses).
