The Republic of Ireland’s pig farmers are “generally satisfied” that the factories that passed back a further price increase this week are genuinely trying to reflect market realities that are currently positive for pigmeat sales.
This comment amounts to high praise indeed, coming from the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) pigs committee chairman, Pat O’Flaherty, who rarely fails to miss the criticism target whenever he believes the same factories are slow in passing price improvements to producers.
“The bottom line is that the export market is very strong, imports into this country are lower this year and our retail trade continues to support Irish producers,” said Mr O’Flaherty (pictured above).
“Any fall off in this (support) is being watched closely by IFA, however, and will be targeted as the home market and export market are equally as important as each other at this juncture.”
While celebrating the most recent passing by “most” factories of 4c/kg (3p/kg) back to farmers, the IFA pigs chairman pointed out that some plants were still lagging behind the rest on prices, including one that was the full 4c/kg below average. That factory, he warned, was “jeopardizing the future viability of its suppliers”.
Pig prices in Ireland are currently at 93% of the EU average price, as reported to the European Commission for the week beginning August 15.
Factory pig throughput in Republic of Ireland (ROI) export plants for the week ending Aug 20, meanwhile, was 61,960 head which was 2,058 more than in the corresponding week in 2015. Slaughterings in ROI export plants are currently running 5.8% ahead of the same period in 2015.