Quotes from processors remain settled in the range of €1.68/kg- €1.70c/kg but the vibes on the ground are all indicating the need for a rise in pig prices.

After last week’s short working week, factories will have to start working that bit harder to secure sufficient pig numbers in the coming weeks.

Mr Hogan called on all pig farmers to demand an increase in pig prices from their processor.

"We only have to look at where pig prices across Europe have moved to with the average price now well above €1.70/kg, leaving the Irish ex-vat equivalent price at 95 per cent of the European average.

"This is not acceptable after the hardship that pig farmers have had to endure during the past 2 years when pig farming was a loss-making business," he said.

Ireland’s percentage of the EU price has improved and is currently 96 per cent of the EU average price as reported to the EU Commission for the week commencing 24 April 2017.

Factory pig throughput in Republic of Ireland export plants for the week ending 29 April 2017 was 63,943 head which was 11,971 head more than the previous week and 311 more than in the corresponding week in 2016. Slaughtering’s in ROI export plants is -1.8 per cent behind the same period in 2016.

Export Plants: Top prices on a flat rate basis </= 170cent/kg in Karro, Staunton’s and Dawn, </=168 cent/kg in Kepak and Rosderra.

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

Sows: 95 – 100c/kg DW.

Weekly Slaughterings: Week-ending 29 April 2017 Pigs: 63,943 Sows: 2,277

EU-27 PIGMEAT REFERENCE PRICE WK COMMENCING 24 APRIL 2017

Irish price €1.64kg

EU–27 average price €1.71kg

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