The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has called for an increase in pig prices. This comes as the pig farming sector is reporting that farmers are currently losing €56,000/month and the cost of feed continues to increase. IFA National Pigs Committee chair Roy Gallie is calling on processors to deliver price increases back to farmers. The IFA chair said that producers acknowledged the price rise of 20c/kg for this week’s pigs.
Highlighting the current crisis in pig farming, Gallie however says that feed cost rose on average €45/t, which wiped out last Friday’s price increase. Ireland’s price is still 10% below the EU average and 28% below breakeven. He adds that “we are calling on the processors for another 20c/kg rise in the pig price for next week to help farmers pay for feed, and to bring us into line with other EU countries.”
Teagasc has outlined that between 20-30% of pig units are at risk of closure due to financial losses in the sector. The organisation adds that feed costs had increased by a third between January 2021 and March 2022. The situation has been exasperated by low prices and energy costs, which have risen by up to 100%. Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) are currently assessing a proposal for a €100 million support package for the sector. The proposal was submitted to the department last month.
Meanwhile, the Irish Pig Health Society (IPHS) has announced the return of its annual symposium and trade show later this month.