Pig price lags 17c behind EU average

PIG prices are unchanged this week, from 140 to 144 cent/kg. The Northern Ireland price is also stable, averaging 144 to 148cent.

EU markets have maintained the price gains of the past four weeks, and are expected to remain stable over coming weeks.

Irish export plants mostly quote 140 to 143 cent/kg net (flat rate basis), with welfare pigs averaging €1.48/kg.

There is steady demand for pork, with prices quoted from 144 to 146 cent/kg.

The weaner trade has improved from €47 to €49 for 32 kg in all areas, with up to €52 paid in open trade. Sows prices are improved, now averaging €29 per cwt liveweight, or €0.81 per kg deadweight.

For the week ending June 26, slaughterings totalled 46,978 pigs and 1,560 sows. Irish prices averaged €1.32/kg, compared to an EU-25 average of €1.49/kg.