Pig farmers lose up to 18c/kg

IFA pig price estimates for this week are 142 to 147c at export plants, plus welfare bonus of 2 to 6c; pork slaughtering 140 to 147c; 32 kg weaners €45 to 50; and sows €20 to 26 per cwt liveweight.

Pig farmers say they are losing heavily because the break-even price in pig production has gone to 160 cent per kg.

Average prices for the week ending September 25 were only 134c in Ireland, 13c behind the EU-25 average of 147c.