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O’Flaherty said, “This second increase (total 8c/kg) over a two week period is a really positive sign to give Irish pig farmers. However, as this move was not across all plants, it is frustrating that a large number of farmers are still considerably behind their counterparts who supply these two factories.
The chairman added that he met with Dawn Pork and Bacon this week and had a very frank discussion in relation to the market.
"We know that the market is in our favour; imports are down, exports are up exponentially and the Chinese market is booming. Furthermore, retail support for Irish Quality Assured pigmeat product is at an all-time high, according to Bord Bia’s latest retail audit," he said.
In June 2016, independent auditors conducted an instore assessment for Bord Bia of the proportion of prepacked fresh meat carrying the quality mark in the retail sector.
The audit found a high percentage of bacon, pork and rashers products on 18 stores' shelves that display the quality mark. Over 80% of the bacon and rashers products carried the mark, while over 90% of the pork products carried the mark.
O'Leary added that it is great to see Dawn Pork and Bacon and Staunton Foods passing back more viable prices to their farmer suppliers.
“The other processors must also play their part and increase prices immediately,” O’Flaherty concluded.
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