Losing hope: Ireland’s pig farmers warn they can’t go on losing thousands a week

There is now a significant gap between the cost of production and what farmers are paid

A series of challenges have plagued the island’s pig industry over the last few months, including carbon dioxide shortages, Covid-related plant closures, staffing issues in the North because of Brexit, and surging electricity and gas prices.

Irish pig farmers losing tens of thousands of euros every week warn they are facing ruin unless urgent action is taken to provide a rescue package for the industry.

Farmers who spoke to the Irish Examiner said soaring input costs and disruption to supply chains caused by Covid and Brexit mean a 1,000-sow unit would lose almost €70,000 a month.