Irish processors have been urged to increase the prices being paid to Irish pig farmers next week by the IFA.
IFA National Pig Committee chair, Roy Gallie, said: “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.”
The commission recorded the European average price for week 12 as €2.33/kg. Further increases were seen across Europe this week, bringing the average price further up while the Irish price remained at an average of €2.28/kg. The IFA said that a further substantial rise in pig prices next week would be justified.
The last 18 months have been challenging for Irish pig farmers, with huge losses seen across the sector. The IFA said that, while pig prices are rising, action should be taken to ensure the Irish pig price regains its position ahead of the European average price, giving farmers the increases required and safeguarding the future of the Irish pig industry.
Mr Gallie said: “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.”