Pig processors criticised on prices

PIG meat processors are now receiving 20% more for their products compared with January.

However, they have only increased the prices they pay farmers for pig supplies by 13%.

Irish Farmers Association Pigs Committee chairman Michael Maguire made the claim after examining the price increase for pigs since January, compared with the consumer and wholesale prices for pig meat products.

“Since January 2008, the price being paid to Irish farmers from pig meat processors has increased by only 13%, which fails to recover the 25% increase in the cost of production in recent months,” he said.

“In the same period, the wholesale price of pig meat has increased by almost 20% across a range of products,” he said.

Mr Maguire said processors use the excuse that supermarkets have been slow to pass back increases so as not to increase prices to their suppliers.

The Central Statistics Office consumer price tracking service has shown little or no increase in the price of pig meat to the consumer up until April.

Mr Maguire said a decrease in the price of ham fillet and collar bacon has been recorded since January.

He said supermarkets seem to be paying processors more and it was vital any increases are passed back to the supply base.