Pig prices remain stable across EU

Irish prices remained unchanged this week as did much of the European pig producing countries, the IFA reports.

The French price edged very slightly ahead, but not as much as was hoped for. Belgium similarly experienced a slight positive move in price. On the domestic market, prices were stable, however, the processors are more actively looking for slaughter pigs than they have been for some time.

This is quite positive, particularly given the short week following the Easter bank holiday. In reality, Irish producers must begin to see prices rise immediately if they are to survive and continue to produce pigs.

The UK price stood on this week, but still remains in excess of €1.80/kg. Ireland, for the week ending March 22, was at 101% of the EU average.

Factory pig throughput in Republic of Ireland export plants for the week ending March 28, was 60,156 head, which was 10,724 head more than the previous short week and 4,312 more than the corresponding week in 2014. Slaughterings in ROI export plants is 7.5% ahead of the same period in 2014.