Pigmeat producers losing almost €300,000 a week, claim farmers

IRISH pigmeat producers are now losing almost €300,000 week, the Irish Farmers Association has claimed.

A loss of more than €6 per pig was completely unsustainable, said Pigs Committee Chairman Michael Maguire, describing the latest fall in pig prices as devastating for the sector.

“We know the market has been very difficult on the continent over the last number of weeks with weekly price falls recorded.

“However, a recovery has been seen this week with prices beginning to rise once more.

“Despite this, Irish prices fell again (4c/kg) which means that Irish producers have seen a drop of up to 26c/kg (€18 per pig) since the end of August,” he said.

Mr Maguire agreed that the soaring euro price will have made the export market more difficult for Irish export processors who will feel this pain, especially when selling into Britain, the biggest export market.

“The home market is not affected by exchange rate fluctuations and remains our most important market. The message of the value of Irish pigmeat must be driven home to consumers,” he said.

Mr Maguire said this should be a severe wake up call for Bord Bia.

Pigmeat is a high-quality, cost-effective, efficient meat and should be the product that people turn to times of economic hardship. The consensus from recent IFA regional pig member meetings is that producers must once again pick up the campaign to reclaim the home market.

“This must be achieved through a revamped marketing strategy by Bord Bia, increased surveying of the retailers and processors and a name and shame campaign revealing those who are not supporting the Irish pigmeat sector,” he said.

Mr Maguire accused the Government of failure to safeguard the industry through the introduction of compulsory ‘country of origin’ labelling.

“Until the Irish Government take measures to effectively and clearly demonstrate to the consumer the origin of their food, the consumer will continue to be misled in both the retail and food service sectors,” he said.