The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has applauded a 3p a kilo pig sector price rise introduced by “southern factories” while remaining sharply critical of other processors for not doing the same.
IFA pigs committee chairman, Pat O’Flaherty (pictured above), said it was “very positive” to see the southern factories adding 4c (3p) to supplier prices.
“However, on the other hand it was infuriating that not all processors passed back this increase, showing a complete lack of support to farmers,” he added.
“European prices again moved upwards with a noted stronger trade in Southern Europe as the holiday season gets underway. Both Spain and France have now edged ahead of the German price.
“It is imperative that any improvements in trade are fairly reflected by all processors in producer prices going forward.”
Ireland is currently on 101% of the EU average price, as reported to the EU for the week beginning May 9, 2016.
Factory pig throughput in Republic of Ireland export plants for the week ending May 14, meanwhile, was 64,150 head, which was 14,242 more than in the corresponding week in 2015. Slaughtering’s in ROI export plants are 7.1% ahead of the same period in 2015.