Pig prices remain the same again

Pig prices remain unchanged again this week. Reports indicate that supplies are tight and the prices range from €1.16/kg to €1.20/kg, however, there is an 8 cent/kg bonus on offer from Glanbia, for ‘welfare' friendly pigs.

Quotes from the export plants generally vary from 40 cent to 58cent/lb gross collected at 54% lean meat BASE PRICE. On a flat rate basis prices are mostly 116 to 120 cent/kg net.

Pork plants are quoting between 1.20cent - 1.24cent/kg.

The trade for weaners are steady. Sales to regular outlets are making between €41 to €43/kgs (€32 - €34 for 32 kgs) in all areas.

The trade for sows also remains steady at €18 - €22/cwt.

Pig slaughtering for the week ending: 16.08.03 was 54,731 pigs and 1,659 sows. The Irish price on the EU pigmeat reference table was Grade E=€1.17. This is 13% behind the EU average price of €1.35/kg.

A tight supply in Germany pushed up the price of Grade E pigs to €1.34/1.35/kg.

In France demand was reported stronger, lifting prices to €1.34/kg.