Pig market: 01/01/2018

Prices reported to IFA

Comment: There has been no change to quotes reported from pig processors over the Christmas and new year period. Of the main export plants, Rosderra and Kepak are at the lower end with quotes of €1.44c/kg to €1.46c/kg reported. Both Dawn Pork & Bacon and Staunton’s have held prices since mid-December and suppliers have received approximately 4c/kg above these prices, with a high of €1.50c/kg being paid to suppliers. With the shorter working weeks over the festive period, there will be a slight backlog of pigs to be processed over the coming weeks and the short-term outlook for pig prices remains difficult. A farmer pig price of below €1.50c/kg is unsustainable over the medium term and an upturn in the market is badly needed in early 2018.