February 21, 2005

Pig prices in Ireland up slightly

Pig prices rose this week, but the Irish Farmers' Association think it was hardly worth celebrating.

According to the IFA, the 5c/kg price rise for this week had been welcomed by all producers and recognized for what it is, the first installment of a number of price increases expected.

"This increase will only allow Irish prices stay around 90 per cent of the European Union average and this is hardly worth celebrating, particularly when, this time last year, Irish prices were ahead of the EU average," an IFA spokesman said.

"A further 5c/kg price rise is expected with immediate effect to bring Irish prices back in line with the price surges in other Member States."

The spokesman added: "It has been somewhat amusing to producers to listen to complaints from factories about holding pigs back last week, especially when it was the same factories that lead the price cut of 5c/kg before Christmas when the market was particularly buoyant. This fact cannot be conveniently forgotten or ignored."