The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) is to launch a campaign to ensure companies in Ireland source more Irish pigmeat after a new fall in prices left the country’s producers “below breakeven point”.
Stating that the Irish pigmeat market needs to be protected “more than ever before”, IFA pigs committee chairman, Pat O’Flaherty, said the latest fall in prices was both frustrating and worrying.
“It is worrying to see prices dropping in the summer months, when traditionally prices would have been on the rise during this period,” he said, adding that the IFA is ready to roll out a campaign to ensure companies in Ireland source more domestic pigmeat, support local jobs and ultimately return a better price to primary producers.
“Prices across Europe remain relatively stable this week with UK prices currently over €1.80/kg (£1.28/kg), as reported to the EU,” added the IFA. “In Ireland, meanwhile, the price is €1.55/kg (£1.10/kg).”
Factory pig throughput in Republic of Ireland export plants for the week ending June 27 was 58,416 head, an increase of 2,800 on the corresponding week in 2014.