19th January 2002

Pig markets steady

By Peter Bolger

Pig prices are unchanged this week. Demand has picked up and with European markets more buoyant it seems the only place prices can go is up. Prices range from 126 cent to 133 cent net (99p to 105p/Kg). Sows are an improved trade and are now making from E20 to E22.

No change in the North. The backlog of pigs at factories has slowed trade but this week should see normality return after the busy holiday period. Sows are trading at £13 stg/cwt (E21) with pork at 84p to 85p stg/kg (135 to 137 cent/kg).

According to a report in Bord Bia's Market Monitor, Irish exports for the year 2001 are expected to have increase by four per cent, this comes on the back of an overall increase in exports for the EU as a whole by almost five per cent.

Exports to the UK were seriously affected by the FMD crises but still accounted for over 50 per cent of exports or 65,000 tonnes. The absence of UK pig meat exports created a deficit on the EU market with Irish exporter benefiting to the tune of 45,000 tonnes, an increase in exports of approximately 40 per cent on previous years.

Exports to international markets were affected by Japan and the US baning EU pig meat following the outbreak of FMD. This resulted in a 50 per cent fall in exports to these countries.