Irish Pig Market Update
Steady Pig Prices and Increased Throughput in Ireland
Prices
Deadweight pig prices in Ireland have remained steady for several weeks, following a slight drop at the start of 2025. For the week ending 23rd February 2025, the average price paid for grade E pigs was €1.99/kg excluding VAT. This is 5c/kg higher than the corresponding week in 2024, when the price was €1.94/kg.
Throughput
Total throughput year-to-date (YTD) is 514,368, which is 3% ahead of the corresponding period in 2024. In week eight, 67,942 pigs were processed, including 2,243 sows.
According to the latest Performance and Prospects Report, overall pig supplies, including exports, increased by 2% (+70k head) to 3.65 million pigs during 2024. Irish pigmeat production rose by an estimated 4% in 2024, reaching approximately 310,000 tonnes.
This increase was driven by both higher pig supplies and slightly increased average carcase weights. The rate of recovery gained momentum as the year progressed, following a 10% decline in 2023 due to higher feed costs and depressed market prices.
