Pig market shake-up

PIG prices rose 4c/kg this week. The export ban on British pigmeat has taken about 9,000 tonnes per month out of the market.

But the fire at Glanbia’s Edenderry plant — which handled 20% of the Irish kill — left farmers very worried at the possibility of insufficient slaughter facilities.

The price range at export plants is 136 to 143 cent per kg. The welfare bonus ranges from 2 to 6 cent. The pork slaughtering price range is 138 to 145 cent. Other IFA market estimates are 32 kg weaners ranging from €48 to 52, and sow prices at €20 to 26 per cwt liveweight. Average prices for the week ending August 4 were 129c in Ireland and 147c in the EU-25.