The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has spoken out again about the lack of pigmeat pricing progress begin endured by its members.
“It was disappointing that factories did not move on this week,” said the chairman of the IFA pigs committee, Pat O’Flaherty, adding that the lack of price movement in Ireland was in sharp contrast to what was happening just about everywhere else in Europe.
“Across the EU, tight supplies helped prices advance with Germany increasing by 5c/kg (4p/kg), helped by keen demand. Prices also advanced across the rest of Europe with the UK, France, Spain, Holland and Denmark all moving positively.”
Mr O’Flaherty went on to describe the level of Irish cull sow prices as being nothing short of “pitiful” at present.
“Sow prices have moved on (in the EU) with reports of €1.04/kg (74p/kg) for culls in Germany,” he said, adding that increased demand for sow meat in northern Europe must be used to “help push on sow prices on the domestic market which are at a pitiful 65-70c/kg (47-50p/kg) currently”.