After a number of weeks of rising prices and movement of pigs between processors, quotes have now settled in the range of €1.66/kg- €1.70c/kg.

Reports from pig farmers around the country indicate that processors quoting at the lower end are willing to pay up to €1.70c/kg to maintain a supply of pigs. A few deals up to €1.72c/kg were reported as being paid for spot loads and lighter pigs.

After a number of weeks of the Irish pig price well ahead of the EU pig price, positive movement has been seen in all EU markets with the EU pig price lifting in the recent weeks. Recent rises have seen major pig producers Germany lift above the Irish pig price, and it augurs well for future increases in the pig price over the coming weeks.

Ireland’s percentage of the EU price has improved and is currently 104 per cent of the EU average price as reported to the EU Commission for the week commencing 20 March 2017.

Factory pig throughput in Republic of Ireland export plants for the week ending 25 March 2017 was 63,151 head which was 11,617 head more than the previous week and 219 less than in the corresponding week in 2016. Slaughtering’s in ROI export plants is -2.1 per cent behind the same period in 2016.

Export Plants: Top prices on a flat rate basis </= 170cent/kg in Karro and Dawn, </=167 cent/kg in Kepak, </=166 cent/kg in Staunton’s and Rosderra,

Pork Slaughters: The price range is </=160 cent/kg.

Sows: 95 – 100c/kg DW.

Weekly Slaughterings: Week-ending 25 March 2017 Pigs: 63,151 Sows: 1,791

EU-27 pigmeat reference price week commencing 20 March 2017

Irish price €1.64kg

EU–27 average price €1.58kg

(Grade E pigs – 55 per cent to 60 per cent lean meat excluding VAT but including transport and bonuses).