Pig factories should look at the market realities in the UK and Europe, and lift Irish pig prices above the €1.50c/kg price required to break even, according to IFA national pigs chair Tom Hogan.

Hogan said: “Pig farmers have endured months of price cuts and excuses as to why the price they receive for their pigs won’t even cover the basic costs of production.

"Enough is enough. One euro fifty cents per kg has to be returned to all pig farmers if the processors are seriously committed to this business in the long term.

“The market reports from Bord Bia and other international agencies all show that the demand for pigmeat is continuing to rise and, coupled with in tight supply across the major pigmeat exporting nations of the EU, it is evident why prices are rising in these markets.

"These same conditions hold true for Ireland. There can be no more excuses; the pig price must rise across the board,” Hogan concluded.

Last month, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed acknowledged the pressure the industry is facing in a response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin deputy Martin Kenny.

“Current prices at €1.38/kg are well below prices at the same time in 2017,” Minister Creed said.

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'There can be no more excuses - the pig price must rise across the board'

The IFA has called for pig prices to return match those in the UK and Europe.