February 12, 2007

Irish poultry prices rising despite flu outbreak

Prices of Irish poultry products are set to rise by 15 percent in the coming weeks, according to the Irish Poultry Processors Association (IPPA).

Increasing grain prices and rising energy costs mean producers will push up prices on poultry meat and egg products, according to Michael O¡¯Toole, spokesman for the IPPA.

O'Toole noted that grain prices itself have already risen by up to 15 percent and therefore there had to be a corresponding increase in chicken prices. Still, poultry is relatively inexpensive compared lamb, beef or pork, he said.

Moreover, prices have been kept low since bird flu last year and chicken farmers are no longer able to hold down prices. He also noted that while the recent outbreak of bird flu in Suffolk, UK did not have an impact on sales, increase in price may do so.

Last year, the poultry processing industry in Ireland had a turnover of about EUR250 million, with EUR 229 million from domestic sales and EUR 21 million from exports.