Comment: As expected, but disappointing nonetheless, the remaining pig processors that had held their price over Christmas followed the lead of Rosderra and Kepak and lowered their pig price by 4c/kg for this week’s pigs. Explanations for this price drop range from poor export markets, the large numbers of pigs available to process and the low pig price in some EU countries.

The reality is that the domestic market, which is the most important outlet for Irish pigmeat, was buoyant in the runup to the Christmas festive period.

Reports for the industry show no big increase in the volume of product in storage above the norm for the time of year. With the high weekly kill in late 2017, this is testament to the good demand, especially in the domestic Irish market.

Many pig farmers are questioning the transparency of the pig price, especially as the price is now below the cost of production at between €1.44c/kg and 1.46c/kg.