The Irish pig trade is showing some signs of recovery due to the start of the BBQ season and continued strong demand from China, according to IFA’s Pat O’Flaherty.

Last week, the IFA National Pigs Committee Chairman said that prices recovered by 4c/kg, but they still have a long way to go before producers recoup the losses made over the last 18 months.

O’Flaherty also said that pig prices on the continent are starting to move up, with Germany leading the way with a 6c/kg increase.

Denmark Belgium and France followed suit with price rises, he said as the mood is quite optimistic and trade is showing real signs of recovery.

Pig price and supplies

Figures from Bord Bia show that Irish E grade pigs made between 142-144c/kg during the week ending May 6, while supplies stood at 53,000 head.

This is down more than 10,000 on the same week last year. However, despite the lower weekly kill, the cumulative supplies to date are up 6% or over 61,000 head.

Bord Bia says that this has been driven principally by higher supplies of finished pigs which are up 6% while supplies of sows and boars are down by 5%.

Key pig markets

According to Bord Bia, the British trade is experiencing some upward momentum, with prices rising on the back of stronger demand due to the recent bank holiday weekend.

The French trade also seen prices rise, it reports, due to the stronger activity caused by the shorter weeks.

However, the throughput of Dutch pigs have eased to around 242,000 head and prices are currently in the region of €1.30/kg.

Pig prices bord bia