Irish pig producers have welcomed a 3p/kg price increase, paid last week, with the additional comment that there is a long way to go before they get near to profitability.
Irish Farmers Association chairman, Pat O’Flaherty, said that while the increase was obviously welcome, is was “simply not sufficient to bring producers back near profitability at current production costs”.
He then put the Irish increase into context with what was happening elsewhere in the EU, pointing out that the German pig price, for example, had increased by the equivalent of 4pc/kg for the second consecutive week, in response to strong demand for the barbeque trade. In addition, French and Danish prices had also “pushed on” as demand for high quality pork cuts increased.
Meanwhile, pig prices on the Irish market, he added, were still 12.5p to 13.5p/kg below their equivalent 2014 level.
In that context, Mr O’Flaherty said that the upward price trend now emerging in Ireland “must continue” as the trade moves into the peak summer months.