Comment: IFA pig committee chair Tom Hogan welcomed the positive news which emerged from the southern processors Dawn and Staunton’s of a 4c/kg increase for this week. This leaves the price in the €1.72-1.74c/kg range for most suppliers. At a price of €1.74c/kg, it leaves the Irish price at the same level as the European average. With higher input costs in Ireland, the Irish price needs to be above the European average price to compete with our continental neighbours over the longer term. The 4c/kg increase was not across the board as the main processors in the midlands and north did not officially increase prices, but the word on the ground is that most pig suppliers received increases from Rosderra, McCarron’s and Karro in the North over the past few weeks. €1.72- 1.74c/kg seems to be a price that most suppliers are achieving, with many above this figure.