Irish pig industry shows signs of recovery
The pig herd in Ireland, which showed sharp contractions in 2022 due to the war in Ukraine, has been showing signs of recovery. In the first half of 2025, the output of Irish slaughterhouses was up 6.4% year-over-year.
In addition, live exports to Northern Ireland were up 25% to 18,383 head when compared to the first half of 2024, the Irish agricultural research institute Teagasc reported.
Pig prices in Ireland
The Irish pig price rose from €2.09 in January this year to a peak of €2.26 in June. Through July 2025 they dropped again to more moderate levels. Irish and EU pig prices are expected to remain relatively stable for the remainder of 2025, due to the continued tight pig supply and the high consumer prices of alternative protein sources, according to Teagasc.
Exports of pig meat were substantially higher at 8% in the first half of 2025, due to increases in export volumes to Northern Ireland and Poland.
Return to profitability for Irish pig farmers
Between August 2021 and March 2023, Irish pig farmers were suffering an income loss for 20 consecutive months, resulting in an average financial loss of €522,000 per farm. In 2023 and 2024, the pig sector returned to profitability and that profitability phase has continued into 2025. The outlook for feed ingredients continues to be positive too, with good crop yields expected in the northern hemisphere, especially in the US. The outlook is for a downward pressure on feed prices.
