European pig prices are running 21% higher than the same time last year, the latest European Commission report shows.

Average pig prices are €1.77/kg carcase weight. That is up 3.5% since last month and up 21.1% since last year.

Piglet prices across Europe have risen even higher, jumping by over 30% since last year.

The average price per piglet across Europe is €58.90.

China

Exports of pigmeat from the EU28 to China have jumped by over 36% in the first four months of 2019, compared to the same period in 2018.

The growing problem of African swine fever in China has seen pigment imports from Europe climb from 464,911t in January to March 2018 to 634,901t in January to March 2019.

Irish prices

“There’s holes to be filled, but it is very positive,” IFA pig chair Tom Hogan said on current prices in the sector.

“Prices are €1.76/kg to €1.82/kg.”

He added that African swine fever (ASF) in China has affected prices but that the shortage caused by it is not going to “kick in for another while".

"Some people are predicting that prices will go north of €2/kg.”

Outlook

Given that producers were operating below breakeven for the first five months of the year, Hogan welcomed the positive short-term outlook for prices.

He said the IFA is working with the Department on the ASF issue which has reached farms in Poland.

“We have met the department a few times on ASF. The only imports would be the AI stations. We have an island nation, which is an advantage in that we don’t have a wild boar or wild pig, but the concern is people bringing in pigmeat.”

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