Gloom within Slovakian pig industry

The average price of slaughter pigs in Slovakia was SK 35.11/kg liveweight over the first four months of 2008, up slightly against an average price of SK 34.54/kg in 2007, according to Andrej Imrich, chairman of the Slovak Pig Farmers Union.

More recently, prices have increased further to SK 43-45/kg, but despite the welcome rise, they are still SK 3-4/kg below the production costs of even the largest pig breeders and are unlikely to dissuade many from leaving the sector.

"In spite of rising pigmeat prices, if the price of grain remains as it currently is we can forget that pigs have ever been raised in Slovakia," Imrich warned.

The number of pigs in Slovakia continues to decrease steadily, and as of April this year stood at 842,000 of which 50,000 are sows.

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