Pig prices need to be raised- IFA

There have been calls for Irish processors to increase the price paid to Irish pig farmers from the IFA.

“The current EU average pig price is rising and the Irish price must move further to return to pig farmers a price they justly deserve for their pigs to well over the EU average,” said Roy Gallie IFA National Pig Committee Chair.

According to the IFA, the European average price in recent weeks was €2.33/kg. There were further increases across Europe again last week, bringing the average price further up while prices in Ireland remained at an average of €2.28/kg.

“Pig numbers are scarce here and across Europe so we are calling on our processors to continue to move the price paid to farmers upwards this Friday. Farmers must put pressure on their processors to ensure this is acted upon,” he said.

He also went on to say that Irish pig farmers have 'accrued huge losses over the past 18 months' and while 'pig prices are on the rise, we need to ensure the Irish pig price takes back its position ahead of the European average price to give farmers the increase in return they very much need'.