Pig prices falls 18c behind

IFA says some pig farmers have recovered half of the recent 4c/kg price cut, but the average pig price in Ireland has slipped further behind the EU-25 average.

Sow throughput is down more than 7% on the 2006 year to date figure, but pig slaughterings are on a par with last year.

The price range at export plants stays at 128 to 136 cent per kg. The welfare bonus ranges from 2 to 6 cent. The pork slaughtering price range is still 132 to 138 cent. Other IFA market estimates are 32 kg weaners slipping to a range of €48 to 52, and sow prices staying at €20 to 26 per cwt liveweight.