The Latest Update on Irish Pig Market Prices and Throughput

Prices

Deadweight pig prices in Ireland are on an upward trajectory due to relatively tight supplies for slaughter. Prices have been increasing steadily week on week from a low of 190c/kg in mid-February 2024. For the week ending 12th January 2025, the average price paid for grade E pigs was €2.03/kg excluding VAT. This current price is 4% lower than the corresponding week last year, when the grade E pig price was €194.83.

Throughput

While throughput has improved in the last quarter, demand continues to outpace supplies. Total throughput year-to-date (YTD) is 118,524, which is slightly behind the corresponding period in 2023.

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.

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Irish Lamb Prices and Throughput – February 2025 Market Update

The latest figures show that Irish lamb prices and throughput continue to move in different directions. Processors in Ireland have raised base quotes to €9.00–€9.40/kg for well-finished lambs, including the Quality Assurance (QA) bonus. Strong demand also prompted plants to lift carcass weight limits to 24 kg, giving producers more flexibility.

This firming trade reflects a consistent pattern across 2024 and into early 2025. Tighter supplies and steady demand in both domestic and export markets continue to support values. Similar conditions appear in other major lamb-producing regions across Europe and the UK. According to Eurostat, the Irish ewe flock contracted by 3.7% in December 2023 compared with 2022, a fall of 107,000 head that is still influencing today’s supply.

Prices

For the week ending 12 January 2025, the reported deadweight price for lambs reached €8.75/kg — a strong 31% increase on the same week in 2024, when prices averaged €6.62/kg.

In Great Britain, average lamb returns stood at €8.29/kg, down only 4c on the week. Northern Ireland prices improved to €7.95/kg, supported by demand from both GB and ROI live exports.

Southern Hemisphere suppliers have also edged higher. Australia rose to €5.99/kg, and New Zealand recorded €4.38/kg, narrowing the gap with EU prices and boosting competitiveness in European markets.

Throughput

Sheep throughput continues to tighten. DAFM-approved Irish plants processed 34,008 head in the second week of January, compared with 57,313 head in the same week last year. Overall, year-to-date slaughter is down 32%, totalling 70,274 head.

This decline stems from smaller lamb crops, difficult lambing conditions, and variable grass growth. These supply pressures highlight why Irish lamb prices and throughput will remain closely watched by wholesalers, caterers, and processors throughout 2025.

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Irish Cattle Throughput and Prices Update

Throughput

Last week, 34,236 cattle were processed in DAFM-approved plants, showing a slight increase from the previous week. Year-to-date (YTD) cattle throughput is currently 3% lower than the same period last year, standing at 132,585 head. This decline is attributed to a contraction in cattle numbers and a robust export trade, with tight numbers expected to persist throughout 2025.

Average carcase weights continue to trend below previous years due to a challenging grass-growing season and an increasing dairy influence on the prime cattle kill. This downward trend in average carcase weights is expected to continue in the short to medium term, as calf registrations to suckler cows decline and the number of beef-sired calves from the dairy herd increases.

Prices

This week saw a lift in base quotes at Irish meat plants due to tighter supplies. Producers were generally offered a base price of €6.00/kg for steers, with reports of up to €6.05/kg available. Starting quotes for heifers are around €6.10/kg, with similar room for negotiation.

The trade for young bulls remains steady, with prices ranging from €6.40/kg to €6.50/kg for R grading animals under 24 months of age. The cow trade is also relatively steady, with well-fleshed O+ grading suckler cows fetching prices of €5.20-5.30/kg, while O grading dairy cows are priced between €5.05-5.15/kg. A significant proportion of the cow kill has achieved a conformation score of P, with prices varying based on grade, weight, and quality.

For the week ending 26th January 2025, the average price paid by Irish beef processors for R3 steers increased to €5.92/kg, which is 63c/kg higher than the corresponding week in 2023 when the price was €5.13/kg. Reported prices exclude VAT but include all bonus payments such as in-spec bonuses and breed-based producer groups.

EU and UK Prices

Across the EU, the average reported price for R3 grading young bulls was €5.71/kg (excluding VAT) for the week ending 26th January 2025, which is 57c higher than Week 1 of 2023 when prices averaged €5.14/kg.

In the UK, tighter cattle supplies and firm demand have led to continued firming of deadweight beef prices. This week, the average UK R3 steer price increased by 12c/kg to €6.93/kg.

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World’s First Cultivated Meat Dog Treats Launched at Pets at Home

Pets at Home has introduced a groundbreaking dog treat made from cultivated meat, marking a world first for the retailer. The treat, named Chick Bites, combines plant-based ingredients with cultivated meat, which is produced by growing cells without the need to raise or slaughter animals.

Meatly, the company behind Chick Bites, explained that the chicken used in the treats was derived from a single sample of cells taken from one chicken egg. This method allows for the production of enough cultivated meat to feed pets indefinitely.

The company claims that the cultivated meat is just as tasty and nutritious as traditional chicken breast, containing all the essential amino acids, critical fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins necessary for pet health.

In a significant regulatory milestone, the UK became the first country in Europe to approve the use of cultivated meat in pet food. This approval, granted in July by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, paved the way for Meatly’s innovative product to hit the shelves.

Original story: The National 

German Pig Prices Steady Amid Contained Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak

HAMBURG, Feb 5 (Reuters) – German pig prices remained stable over the past week, as hopes rise that the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has been contained, according to meat traders and industry groups.

The Livestock and Meat Production Association (VEZG) reported that German slaughterhouse pig prices held steady at 1.72 euros per kilo. This is a slight decrease from the approximately 1.82 euros per kilo before the outbreak was confirmed.

Germany reported its first case of foot-and-mouth disease in nearly 40 years on January 10, in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin. However, with no additional cases reported since, some emergency measures to control the disease have been lifted.

“The market is starting to dare to hope that no more outbreaks will occur and that meat exports within the EU will continue,” said one German meat trader.

This cautious optimism reflects the industry’s efforts to manage the outbreak and maintain stability in the market.

Original story: Reuters

Illegal Meat Seizures at Port of Dover Surge in 2024

Nearly 100 tonnes of illegal meat were seized at the Port of Dover in 2024, according to new data. The confiscated meat, which included pork, lamb, beef, and chicken, totalled 98,958kg across 868 separate seizures. This represents a significant increase of over 75% compared to the 56,089kg seized in 2023.

The Dover Port Health Authority has expressed concerns about the potential for diseased meat to enter the food chain. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has reiterated its commitment to protecting the UK’s biosecurity, stating that the government would “never waver” in this duty.

The data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, highlights a dramatic rise in seizures from previous years. In 2022, only 3,899kg of meat were seized in 27 incidents. Additionally, the first week of January 2025 alone saw 10 tonnes of meat confiscated at the port.

Lucy Manzano of the Dover Port Health Authority noted that most of the seizures resulted from spot checks. “Pulling vehicles over, it’s from those vehicles that we’re finding these huge and increasing volumes of illegal meat that is heading for our high streets,” she said.

This surge in illegal meat seizures underscores the ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and maintain the integrity of the UK’s food supply chain.

Original story: BBC Kent

China’s customs authority significantly increased its rejections of imported meat in 2024, with the number of rejected shipments more than tripling compared to previous years. This surge has raised questions about whether there were genuine issues with the meat shipments or if the rejections were a strategic effort to support domestic meat producers.

According to monthly reports from the Chinese customs website, a total of 778 shipments of beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and deer meat were turned away at the border last year. This figure is a stark contrast to previous years, where the number of rejections never exceeded 300 since the customs administration took over inspections in 2018.

The increase in rejections was observed across all types of meat, with beef and pork seeing the most significant spikes. Beef rejections soared to 435 shipments, up from the usual 60 to 80, while pork rejections rose to 186 from the previous range of 40 to 70. Chicken rejections saw a smaller increase, from 86 to 112 shipments, and lamb rejections, though fewer in number, have been steadily rising, reaching 43 last year.

Despite the high number of rejections, the total weight of the rejected shipments was 5,633 metric tons, which is just 0.08% of China’s total meat imports of 6.7 million metric tons in 2024. Pork shipments made up about half of the rejected weight, with most containers ranging from 20 to 27 metric tons, while beef shipments were generally smaller, often between 10 to 1,000 kilograms.

China’s rejections affected meat imports from numerous countries. Australia faced the highest number of beef rejections with 144 shipments, while Denmark had the most pork rejections at 101 shipments. Brazil led in chicken rejections, and New Zealand accounted for more than half of the rejected lamb shipments.

Notable increases in rejections were seen for imports from Australia, the European Union, Brazil, Argentina, and the USA. The United States had 43 beef, 37 pork, and 17 chicken shipments rejected.

Denmark’s pork rejections were particularly striking, as nearly all came from a prominent company, marking a significant increase from just 10 rejections over the previous five years.

This surge in rejections has impacted all leading meat companies in Europe, North America, and South America, highlighting the stringent measures China has adopted in its import inspections.

Original story by Dim Sums

In a significant operation, Greater Manchester Police have arrested three individuals following a raid at an abattoir in Stockport.

The raid, which took place on Thursday, was part of a coordinated effort that also saw a simultaneous warrant executed at a residential property on Merlin Road in Blackburn, Lancashire.

Among those arrested were a man and a woman, both in their 30s, who were detained on suspicion of human trafficking and offences related to slavery, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour. Additionally, another man in his 30s was apprehended at the abattoir after attempting to evade police by fleeing the site and hiding on a nearby roof. GMP confirmed that the man, an Albanian national, was living and working illegally in the UK and is now being processed by Home Office immigration teams.

The operation was prompted by allegations from a man who claimed he was forced to live in the abattoir and work around the clock to repay “extortionate debts” linked to a sponsorship visa and travel expenses. During the late-night raid, officers interviewed 30 workers on-site and seized mobile phones, computer equipment, and documentation as part of their ongoing investigation.

Detective Sergeant Lee Attenborough highlighted the prevalence of modern slavery in Greater Manchester and urged victims or those who suspect someone they know might be affected to come forward. “You will always be taken seriously, and protection and support are available,” he assured.

The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the alleged human trafficking and forced labour activities.

BBC News 

Throughput

Last week, 31,026 cattle were processed in DAFM-approved plants, marking a slight increase from the previous week. Year-to-date cattle throughput is currently 6% lower than the same period last year, totaling 61,102 head. This decline is attributed to a contraction in cattle numbers on the ground and a lively export trade, with numbers expected to remain tight for much of 2025.

Average carcass weights continue to trend below previous years due to a challenging grass growing season and an increasing dairy influence on the prime cattle kill. This downward trend in average carcass weights is expected to persist in the short to medium term, as calf registrations to suckler cows continue to decline, while the number of beef-sired calves produced from the dairy herd continues to rise.

Prices

This week saw a lift in the steady base quotes at Irish meat plants in response to tighter supplies. Producers were generally offered a base price of €5.70/kg for steers, with reports of up to €5.80/kg available. Starting quotes for heifers are around €5.85/kg, with similar room for negotiation. The trade for young bulls remains steady, with prices between €6.00/kg and €6.10/kg for R grading animals under 24 months of age.

The cow trade remains relatively steady, with well-fleshed O+ grading suckler cows being offered prices of €5.20-5.30/kg, while O grading dairy cows generally range from €5.05-5.15/kg. A significant proportion of the cow kill has achieved a conformation score of P in recent months, and prices for these animals vary significantly based on grade, weight, and quality.

For the week ending January 12th, 2025, the average price paid by Irish beef processors for R3 increased slightly by 2c/kg to €5.72/kg. This remains 63c/kg ahead of the corresponding week in 2023, when the R3 steer price was €5.09/kg. Reported prices exclude VAT but include all bonus payments such as in-spec bonus and breed-based producer groups.

EU and UK Prices

Across the EU, the average reported price for R3 grading young bulls was €5.61/kg (excluding VAT) for the week ending January 12th, 2025. This is 63c higher than Week 1 of 2023, when prices averaged €4.98/kg for this category.

In the UK, tighter cattle supplies and firm demand have continued to firm deadweight beef prices. This week, the average UK R3 steer price increased by 3c/kg to €5.57/kg.

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