There has been some respite in the past week for Irish pig farmers with prices having risen 4c/kg. While still well below the cost of production for the majority of farmers, the 4c/kg rise means pig prices are standing at approximately €1.43/kg.

The rise in Ireland comes two weeks after German prices rose by a similar level. There are renewed hopes that pig prices will continue to rise.

There are reports of strong demand in China with it likely to continue through the second half of the year. Stringent environmental restrictions and difficulty in obtaining credit is hampering domestic pig producers in China.

Feed prices have also eased since the start of the month. Certain ration prices have fallen back by as much as €8/t to €10/t. A price reduction of €10/t equates to 4c/kg in terms of pig prices.

Despite the increase in prices, pig farmers are still very much in a loss-making period and will be holding out for further increases as we approach the peak summer season.

The IFA pig committee is meeting all the domestic retail chains, but the committee had expressed concerns that branded pigmeat products are not carrying the Bord Bia Quality Assurance mark.