Pig market: 12/03/2018

Prices reported to IFA

Comment: To the disappointment of all pig farmers, there was no official increase in the Irish pig price again this week. Most suppliers are receiving around the €1.40c/kg mark for their pigs, but there is considerable variation above this price point. Many suppliers who have bargained hard with their factory received increases of 2c to 4c/kg over the past two weeks. All signs still indicate that market returns justify a significant price increase to a minimum price of €1.50c/kg. It is clear that the main export plants have a target of holding official quotes at current levels until the end of March, but industry sources indicate that all pig processors definitely have the ability to increase prices now. The backlog of pigs created by Storm Emma two weeks ago has been cleared and this is testimony to the good demand for pigmeat, both in the domestic and export markets.