There was no change in Irish pig prices last Friday following the 4c/kg drop the previous Friday. Farmers now receiving quotes of €2.02c/kg up to €2.10/kg from processing plants in Ireland.
Irish pig farmers have been under significant financial pressures for circa 19 months now. Prices on the European market have increased this week again while Irish prices have been stagnant much to the disappointment of farmers. Prices across Europe are increasing over the past number of weeks and recent price increases include Belgium +15c at €2.065, France +7c to €2.556, Germany +12 to €2.20, Netherlands +12 to €1.97 and Spain +5c to €2.32. German cull sow prices are circa €1.58/kg+ demonstrating tightening of pig supply across Europe. Irish farmers urgently need Irish prices to increase at farm gate.
According to Teagasc the average family farm is in negative margins of circa €18/pig sold. The throughput for week ending 12th February was 54,366 of which 1,656 were sows.
The average European Pig Price for week 5 was €2.05/kg according to the European Commission.
