Pig Processors Fail to Follow European Market

There has been no change in official quotes for pigs this week, which remain at €1.70c/kg.

Pig farmers are justifiably disappointed that Irish processors have failed to follow the European market, and pass back an increase over the past few weeks.

On a positive note, there is a noticeable increase in activity from plants in the northern part of the country with reports of €1.74c/kg to €1.76c/kg being paid over recent days to secure sufficient supplies of pigs.

Spot loads delivered to some smaller processors have also achieved these prices recently, but pressure is building among pig farmers on the ground for an official lift in prices from the main export plants.

IFA Pigs Chairman, Tom Hogan has called on the processing sector to lift pig prices in line with European price increases. This price increase is required to go towards overdue maintenance on pig units, which could not be funded over recent years with pig prices below the cost of production.

Ireland’s percentage of the EU price has improved and is currently 94% of the EU average price as reported to the EU Commission for the week commencing 05/06/2017.

Factory pig throughput in Republic of Ireland export plants for the week ending June 10th 2017 was 52,826 head which was 10,006 head less than the previous week and 2,140 more than in the corresponding week in 2016. Slaughtering’s in ROI export plants is -0.9% behind the same period in 2016.

Export Plants: Top prices on a flat rate basis </= 172cent/kg in Karro, </=170 cent/kg in Staunton’s, Dawn, Kepak and Rosderra.

Sows: 95 – 110c/kg DW.

Weekly Slaughterings: Week-ending 10/06/2017 Pigs: 52,826 Sows: 1,653

EU-27 PIGMEAT REFERENCE PRICE WK COMMENCING 05/06/17

Irish price €1.65kg

EU–27 average price €1.76kg

(Grade E pigs – 55% to 60% lean meat excluding VAT but including transport and bonuses).