Pig prices are down another 4c/kg this week amid continuing market difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prices are generally in the range of 164c/kg to 166c/kg. This was the eighth price cut since prices peaked in February.

Disruption

Disruption includes the food service sectors being closed on the home and most export markets.

Irish pigmeat has been shipped to China but prices there are lower than before the pandemic was declared.

The two Rosderra plants in particular were affected

Adding to pressure has been decreased slaughter capacity where testing of factory staff for coronavirus took place with subsequent isolation of some staff.

The two Rosderra plants in particular were affected but they could return to full capacity after this week.

Intake

In some cases, plants reduced the intake of cull sows and gave preference to the slaughtering of young pigs, and this led to the temporary backlog of stock waiting to go for slaughter.

Meanwhile, next week has a bank holiday, so most of the slaughter plants will be working this coming Saturday as a result.