Farmers selling pigs below cost

Irish farmers are selling pigs at below production cost, following the 5c/kg price cut for all pigs supplied this week.

IFA National Pig’s Committee chairman Pat O’Keeffe said with a nett price of €1.28/kg on average, Irish producers were taking home just over €90 per pig when it costs at least €95 to produce. This uneconomic proposition would not be entertained in any business nor will be it acceptable to pig farmers.

“Dropping the pig price is always taken as the easy option by processors to support their own comfort zone on margins and this is no longer acceptable.

“I am now calling on all retailers and high-cost brands to put the origin Ireland logo on their product with immediate effect,” said Mr O’Keeffe.