In what is usually a time of year which sees pig prices improve, July has seen pig prices drop back by 8c/kg in the month.

Current prices paid to farmers are ranging from €1.49/kg to 1.52/kg, but the generally agreed cost of production for Irish pig farmers is €1.60/kg.

This time last year, top prices of €1.77/kg were being paid. That is €20/pig of a difference in a year.

Taking an average unit of 600 sows selling 25 pigs per sow, this equats to 288 pigs per week, which represents a difference of almost €5,800 per week compared with the same week in July 2014.

IFA Pig Committee chair Pat O’Flaherty has expressed concern with current pig prices, saying it is now unsustainable for pig farmers to survive. O’Flaherty also said that there are hopes the export market will improve as we progress in 2015.

“Export markets are predicted to pick up throughout the second half of 2015, particularly the Chinese market, which we hope will positively impact domestic prices. Irish pig farmers are receiving 25c/kg less for their pigs compared to this time last year,” O’Flaherty said.

The domestic market uses approximately 50% of the pigs produced in Ireland.