A number of pig units have been put up for sale or lease as a result of farmers deciding to quit production.

While the number may be small, at just five, there are only 250 to 300 commercial producers now operating in Ireland.

Some of the five farmers are approaching retirement age and don’t have a successor.

Four are in counties Cork, Tipperary and Waterford.

Other producers in Munster say it reflects the ongoing losses being made by all pig producers.

Globally, pig farmers are in a fight to survive until the weakest have left and markets turn

Dawn Pork and Bacon is understood to have expressed interest in leasing or buying one unit close to its Co Waterford factory.

Up to 25% of its weekly kill already comes from its own units.

Rosderra Meats also has pig units but neither it, nor the other export slaughter companies, have expressed interest in buying more units.

Globally, pig farmers are in a fight to survive until the weakest have left and markets turn.

This suggests EU pigmeat output is likely to tighten in the second half of 2019

Bord Bia’s pigmeat manager Peter Duggan reports that the large German sow herd continued to decline through 2018 and was down 4% year on year in November.

This suggests EU pigmeat output is likely to tighten in the second half of 2019, it says.

The breeding herd in China has fallen by up to 15% year on year as the country battles African Swine Fever.

Infected farms are not allowed restock for six months.

Irish losses

The average pig farm in Ireland lost €14 per pig sold in 2018 resulting in a loss of €283,000, according to IFA pigs chair Tom Hogan.

This is based on the Teagasc PigSys review of actual financial and performance records, he said.

The minister has yet to even acknowledge this request

He has sought an urgent meeting with the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to try to alleviate the financial stress on pig farmers.

“The minister has yet to even acknowledge this request,” Hogan said.

The IFA pigs committee chair said that “an immediate and substantial price rise is required to give pig farmers some glimmer of hope that 2019 will see a return to breakeven”.