Irish Pig Prices Fall 10% Year-on-Year as EU Market Weakens
Irish Pig Prices Fall 10% Year-on-Year as EU Market Weakens
20 October 2025 | Ireland
Irish pig prices slipped in early October, reflecting broader downward pressure across European markets. Despite strong slaughter volumes, average returns to producers remain below 2024 levels as export competition and feed costs continue to weigh on margins.
Pig Trade & Prices
For the week ending 11 October 2025, the average deadweight price for Grade E pigs in Ireland rose slightly to €1.89/kg (188.88 c/kg, excluding VAT).
Producers reported factory prices ranging from €1.90 to €1.94/kg, marking a decrease compared with previous weeks.
Prices remain 10 % lower than the same period last year, when pigs averaged €2.09/kg. Across the EU, the average for Grade E carcasses declined to €1.83/kg, about 18 c/kg below 2024.
European pig markets continue to face downward momentum, with week-on-week reductions of 9 c/kg in Germany, 5 c/kg in Spain, and 1 c/kg in France, according to Bord Bia data.
Throughput
Throughput in Irish pig plants has remained strong through Q3 2025, though demand continues to outpace available supply.
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Year-to-date throughput: 2.6 million head — up 87,000 year-on-year.
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Weekly slaughter (week ending 11 Oct): 64,672 head, including 1,797 sows and 22 boars.
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Fattener pig throughput: up 3.5 % compared with the same period in 2024.
The balance of firm processing activity against falling prices suggests ongoing volatility in the EU pork market, with export performance and feed input costs set to determine short-term profitability.
Source: Bord Bia – Irish Food Board (Pig Trade & Prices, October 2025)
(Rewritten and summarised for Meatex.co.uk)
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