A national pig farmers meeting will be held by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) next week to address concerns following very significant drops in pig price.
IFA pig committee chair Michael Caffrey said the meeting will be held on Monday 29 September in the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise and will address the erosion of confidence among pig farmers.
“Pig farmers have endured price cuts totalling 32c/kg since July, bringing returns dangerously close to breakeven levels. Drops of this magnitude are unprecedented.
“Combined with rising costs and new regulations, confidence in the sector is being seriously undermined at a time when prices should be moving in the opposite direction to secure the future of our farmers,” he said.
The pig chair added that in recent weeks, pig prices have fallen across Europe while Chinese tariffs of up to 62% on EU pigmeat, including 20% on Irish pigmeat exports, have added further pressure.
Farmers are also contending with increasing compliance and regulatory costs, labour pressures and environmental requirements, he said.
“After only two years of recovery from the 2021 to 2023 pig crisis, farmers are once again operating very close to breakeven levels.
“To safeguard the sector, we need a price path that delivers long-term sustainability, which means farmgate prices that will ensure pig farm profitability,” he stated.
Speakers from Bord Bia, Teagasc and the nitrates division of the Department of Agriculture will address the meeting.
It will begin at 3.30pm and farmers the chance to voice their concerns about the future of the sector.
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