Irish pig farming leaders have drawn some positives this week out of the “talk” of an early reopening of the Russian market to EU pigmeat, plus the fact that EU pig prices remained “stable” this week.
“For once, there appears to be a positive sign on the horizon for pig producers as it is quoted verbatim on the web, although unconfirmed by the Russian authorities, that the Russian market is reopening to EU pig meat albeit only for some products and some countries,” said the IFA. “One way or another any market access for us or for our EU competitors would have a beneficial impact on prices.Â
“Aside from the Russian news, EU pig prices were stable this week and Kantar reported that 2014 was the ‘best Christmas for grocery market since 2010′.”Â
IFA’s pigs committee chairman, Pat O’Flaherty, also welcomed the fact that Ireland’s Farm Minister and Bord Bia have been “singing the praises of our export market in all media channels, this week, Â emphasising China in particular, where a growing proportion of Irish pigmeat goes”.Â
“These developments show that things are changing concerning the market, Ireland’s spending power and with EU pig prices stabilising at last,” he said. “It is high time for an upward turn in pig farmers’ fortunes.”