Pig Market Update 28th August

There was an announced drop in pig prices on Friday last of -6c/kg in ROI. Factories and producers are reporting quotes of at least €2.34 - €2.40 available from processors in ROI. Prices in Northern Ireland and the UK are still strong with strong demand for pigs.

The weekly throughput for pigs processed for week ending 25^th of August was 65,787, of which 1,731 were sows. The fattening pigs processed year to date in ROI is almost running on par with last year's throughput. This year 1,489 pigs less have gone through the factories (-.1%). However, more sows have gone through the system this year, up 5%. Compared to last year and up to week 32 this year, live pigs exported to the North have also increased with 18,265 more pigs having been exported to the northern factories - an increase of 9%.

Wheat markets declined last week due to competitive Black Sea exports, currency shifts, and speculative selling. French and German wheat quality concerns persist, with Germany's production down 15%. EU maize yield expectations were cut due to hot weather, and wheat and barley estimates were also lowered. Yesterday, Paris and Chicago wheat futures dropped 1.7% and 0.6%, Chicago maize futures fell -1.2%.