Pig prices are down another 4ckg this week at the processors. Rossderra and Kepak are on €1.84/kg, Stauntons on €1.84/kg to €1.86/kg and Dawn Pork and Bacon is on €1.88/kg. The cuts are blamed on continuing fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit the food service and restaurant sectors.

In addition, the difficulty in getting product to customers in China continues.

This has seen quantities of specific cuts build up in storage, including trotters, heads and bellies.

Import activity is reported to be picking up in China as the coronavirus outbreak there comes under control. However, it is expected to be some weeks before the backlog of product here can begin to clear.

With more meals being cooked at home, there has been an increase in demand for retail pigmeat cuts.

IFA pigs committee chair Tom Hogan says that this can ensure that the pig price doesn’t fall any further and he is continuing to liaise with processors on prices.