Irish pig prices remain stable but slaughter capacity causes concern

Irish pig prices remain stable this week but the focus of attention is on Galtee's decision to close their slaughtering units from 31 October. While there is understandable anger from pig producers, a bigger concern must be on the availability of capacity to have their pigs killed.

If the Galtee plants stopped slaughtering in the morning, the 13,000 pigs a week they had slaughtered could not be accommodated. Glanbia are rushing to increase their capacity by the end of October, but even if they are successful additional pigs might have to be shipped north of the border for slaughter. Northern plants were believed to have imported pigs from the UK for slaughter. If they continue to do this it could reduce their interest in Southern pigs.

Irish pig prices are still in the range of €134 to €1.43/kg and pork is still on average €1.41 to €1.44. The bonus for 'welfare' pigs remains at 6 c/kg into both Northern and Southern plants. Sow prices remained steady with €32 per cwt liveweight on offer that is €0.88/kg dead weight.

Prices on the continent moved upwards, with Dutch, France and German producers getting 2c/kg more at the end of last week. Irish prices continue to be 12c/kg behind the EU-15 average.